#9 USAO Sweeps SCU to Extend Win Streak

BETHANY, Okla. – Tuesday afternoon, the No. 9 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (25-7, 14-2 SAC) extended their win streak to six with a double header sweep on the road at Southwestern Christian University (15-9, 8-8 SAC). The Drovers opened the day with a 10-0 win (5 inn.), followed by a 6-1 triumph in the series finale. With the wins, USAO improves to 54-2 against SCU in head-to-head matchups.

GAME 1

The Drovers jumped out to an early 2-0 advantage as Vanessa Portillo launched a two-run home run in the top of the first inning. USAO stretched the lead to double digits when they rallied for eight runs in the top of the fifth inning.

As a team, the Drovers offense produced 11 hits and reached on two walks, while the Eagles tallied three hits and drew two walks. SCU committed one fielding error, while USAO was unblemished on defense.

Aubree Ferguson was stellar in the circle, to improve her record to 12-2 this season. Ferguson went all five innings to earn her eighth shutout of the season, allowing just three hits and struck out eight batters. In 15 appearances this season, the sophomore has allowed an earned run in only two of those contests, and she currently ranks third in the NAIA in earned run average (0.62).

USAO's offense was led by Taylor Cronic's three-hit performance. Cronic went 3-3 with a run scored and a run batted in.

Vanessa Portillo concluded 1-2 with a home run, a walk, and two runs batted in, while Maveryck Lightfoot went 1-3 with a run scored and two runs batted in.

Maddy Baber finished 2-3 with a double and a run scored, and Kinzie Williams went 1-3 with a double, a run scored, and two runs batted in.

Malea McMurtrey, Jordan Ramsay, and Aubree Ferguson each singled in the win.

GAME 2

Following two scoreless innings, the Drovers claimed the lead with a pair of runs in the top of the third inning, but the Eagles cut the deficit in half with a run of their own in the bottom of the third.

USAO added insurance with a trio of runs in the top of the fifth, followed by one more in the seventh.

As a team, the Drovers offense produced nine hits and reached on two walks, while the Eagles tallied six hits and drew four walks. SCU committed two fielding errors, while USAO was perfect defensively.

Jayden Anderson improved her record to 4-0 this season as she pitched all seven innings, allowing one run on six hits, and she struck out 10 batters.

USAO's offense was led by Malea McMurtrey's three-hit performance. McMurtrey went 3-4 with a double, two runs scored, and a run batted in.

Leighanne Eaton, Maddy Baber, and Maveryck Lightfoot each doubled and drove in a run in the second game.

Isabela Portillo and Vanessa Portillo each singled and drove in a run, while Kinzie Williams singled and scored a run.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will now head to Goodwell, Okla. for a four-game series at Oklahoma Panhandle State University on March 27-28.

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