Win Streak Reaches Double Digits as #9 USAO Sweeps Series at OPSU

GOODWELL, Okla. – Saturday afternoon, the No. 9 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (29-7, 18-2 SAC) extended their win streak to 10 as they completed the 4-game sweep on the road at Oklahoma Panhandle State University (5-29, 3-17 SAC). The Drovers opened the day with a commanding 17-0 win (5 inn.), followed by a 5-1 triumph in the series finale. With the wins, USAO improves to 39-2 against OPSU in head-to-head matchups.

During USAO's 10-game win streak, they have outscored opponents 84-8. Furthermore, they have won their last 15 games against conference opponents, with nine of those wins ending via the run-rule.

GAME 1

The Drovers were hot from the start, pushing across five runs in the top of the first inning. USAO stretched the lead to 13-0 with an eight-run rally in the top of the third, highlighted by a three-run homer off the bat of Leighanne Eaton. The Drovers added three runs in the fourth inning, prior to their final run in the top of the fifth.

As a team, the Drovers offense produced 18 hits and reached on two walks, while the Aggies tallied one hit and drew two walks. OPSU committed two fielding errors, while USAO was unblemished on defense.

Aubree Ferguson was nearly unhittable in the circle, to improve her record to 14-2 this season. Ferguson went all five-shutout innings, allowing just one hit and struck out eight batters. In 17 appearances this season, the sophomore has allowed an earned run in only three of those contests, and she currently ranks third in the NAIA in earned run average (0.62).

USAO's offense was led by five multi-hit performances, including Maddy Baber going 3-3 with two runs scored and a run batted in. Kinzie Williams concluded 2-4 with a triple, two runs scored, and three runs batted in. Williams leads the NAIA with 10 triples this season.

Taylor Cronic finished 2-2 with a pair of doubles, a run scored, and two runs batted in, while Jaylee Willis went 2-2 with a pair of singles and a run scored. Malea McMurtrey went 2-4 with a run scored and a run batted in.

Leighanne Eaton concluded 1-3 with a home run, two runs scored, and three runs batted in, while Lakelynn Thompson went 1-3 with a home run, two runs scored, and a run batted in.

Kaysie Lee blasted a solo-homer in her only plate appearance of the game.

Maveryck Lightfoot singled and scored twice, while Aubree Ferguson helped her own cause by singling, scoring, and driving in three runs. Jordan Ramsay went 1-2 with a run scored and a run batted in, and Vanessa Portillo singled in her only at bat.

GAME 2

After a scoreless first inning, the Drovers claimed an early lead with a pair of runs in the top of the second inning. The Aggies scored their only run with a solo-homer in the bottom of the second.

In the top of the third, Leighanne Eaton answered with a solo shot of her own to give USAO a 3-1 advantage. The Drovers scored once more in the fourth, followed by their final insurance run in the seventh.

As a team, the Drovers offense produced eight hits and reached on zero walks, while the Aggies tallied two hits and drew two walks. OPSU committed one fielding error, while USAO was unblemished on defense.

Jayden Anderson got the start in the circle for USAO and improved her record to 5-0 this season. Anderson allowed by one run on two hits and she struck out eight batters.

USAO's offense was led by a pair of two-hit performances from Kinzie Williams and Maddy Baber. Williams went 2-4 with a run batted in, while Baber concluded 2-3 with a triple and two runs scored.

Leighanne Eaton finished 1-3 with her sixth home run of the season, and currently ranks second in the NAIA with 50 runs batted in.

Maveryck Lightfoot and Taylor Cronic each went 1-3 with a run scored and a run batted in. Lilyana Portillo singled in the series finale.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will now return home to host a four-game series against Wayland Baptist University on April 2-3 at Bill Smith Ballpark.

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