Anderson’s Deals a No-Hitter as #8 USAO Blanks Nelson Twice

WAXAHACHIE, Texas. – Friday afternoon, the No. 8 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (35-7, 24-2 SAC) extended their win streak to 16 with a pair of shutouts on the road at Nelson University (16-24, 9-17 SAC). The Drovers opened the series with a thrilling 1-0 win, followed by a dominant 9-0 (6 inn.) victory in game two. With the wins, USAO improves to 50-0 against Nelson in head-to-head matchups since 2014.

During USAO's 16-game win streak, they have outscored opponents 130-14. Furthermore, they have won their last 21 games against conference opponents, with 13 of those wins ending via the run-rule. In total, USAO has won 15 games this season via the run-rule (8+ run lead after 5 innings).

GAME 1

After four scoreless innings, the Drovers broke the tie with one run in the top of the fifth as Aubree Ferguson drove in the game's only run.

Aubree Ferguson was also sensational in the circle to earn her 12^th shutout of the season. Ferguson went all seven- innings to improve her record to 17-2, allowing just two hits and struck out 11 batters. In 20 appearances this season, the sophomore has allowed an earned run in only three of those contests, and she currently ranks second in the NAIA in earned run average (0.53).

As a team, the Drovers offense produced four hits and reached on zero walks, while the Lions tallied two hits and drew two walks. Both teams were unblemished on defense.

Maddy Baber, Maveryck Lightfoot, Aubree Ferguson, and Taylor Cronic each singled in the series opener.

GAME 2

The Drovers claimed an early advantage as Maveryck Lightfoot drove in a run with a double in the top of the first inning. USAO doubled their lead as they scored on an error in the second.

In the top of the fourth, the Drovers rallied for a trio of runs, highlighted by a pair of RBI-doubles from Maddy Baber and Leighanne Eaton. USAO scored its final four runs in the top of the sixth, led by Kinzie Williams' RBI-double and a three-run homer off the bat of Leighanne Eaton.

As a team, the Drovers offense produced 13 hits and reached on zero walks, while the Lions were held without a baserunner. Nelson committed four fielding errors, while USAO was unblemished on defense. In USAO's last 14 games, they have committed a fielding error in only one of those contests.

Jayden Anderson got the start in the circle and was unhittable for the first time in her collegiate career, going all 6.0 innings, allowing zero baserunners and she struck out 11 batters.

Anderson improves her record to 7-0 this season and is now 34-6 record and a 1.76 earned run average, while striking out 246 batters in 266.1 innings of work.

The first five batters in the USAO lineup each tallied a pair of hits in the win. Leighanne Eaton led the way, going 2-3 with a double, her ninth home run of the season, three runs scored, and four runs batted in. Eaton still ranks second in the NAIA in runs batted in (60).

Maddy Baber finished 2-4 with a pair of doubles and a run batted in. Baber is now batting .447 with 17 doubles, 32 RBIs, and an .835 slugging percentage in 27 games played this year.

Kinzie Williams went 2-4 with a double, a run scored, and a run batted in, while Malea McMurtrey went 2-4 with a double and a pair of runs scored.

Maveryck Lightfoot concluded 2-4 with a double and a run scored. Lightfoot now ranks fourth on the team in doubles with her 11^th of the season.  

Savannah Senkel and Taylor Cronic each doubled and scored, while Kamryn James singled and scored.

NAIA STAT RANKINGS

USAO OFFENSE

• 1st in triples (25)
• 2^nd in extra base hits (140)
• 2^nd in runs (308)
• 2^nd in doubles (89)
• 2^nd in stolen bases (139)
• 3^rd in hits (413)
• 4^th in slg% (.549)
• 10^th in batting avg. (.360)
• 14^th in HR (26)

USAO PITCHING

• 1^st in strikeouts (290)
• 3^rd in ERA (1.59)
• 4^th in wins (35)
• 7^th in innings pitched (264.1)
• 11^th in WHIP (1.12)

STILL #PitcherU

The USAO pitching staff has been a dominant force since the mid-2000's, having produced a team earned run average under 4.00 in 15 of the last 16 seasons. Additionally, they have not had a season with a team ERA over 3.00 since 2016, when the Drover pitching staff had a 3.02 ERA.

Since 2018, the pitching staff has produced a win-loss record of 418-69 (.858). Additionally, the unit has a sensational earned run average of 1.46, along with 3,452 strikeouts in 3,199.0 innings pitched. Furthermore, the team has recorded 35 no-hitters/perfect games and 173 shutouts in the last 487 games played. In that same span, the Drovers have only surrendered 669 earned runs.

Aubree Ferguson has 20 appearances this season, the sophomore has allowed an earned run in only three of those contests, and she currently ranks second in the NAIA in earned run average (0.53). Ferguson owns a 17-2 record in 2026 and has claimed a pair of SAC Pitcher of the Week awards.

In two seasons, she has produced a record of 22-2 with a 1.28 ERA and 145 strikeouts in 142.0 innings pitched.

Jayden Anderson set program record with 19 strikeouts in first career start against Tabor College on Feb. 9, 2024. The junior owns a career record of 34-6 record and a 1.76 earned run average, while striking out 246 batters in 266.1 innings of work. She is a two-time All-SAC selectee (1^st team in 2025 and 2^nd team in 2024).

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers and Lions are scheduled to conclude the four-game series with a double header on Saturday (April 11) beginning at noon in Waxahachie, Texas.

Stay up to date on all USAO Athletics news by following us on our media platforms!

Athletics Website: www.usaoathletics.com

Live-stream: www.sacsportsnetwork.com/usao

YouTube: Drover Athletics

X: @DroverAthletics

Facebook: @DroverAthletics

Instagram: @drover_athletics

GIPHY: www.giphy.com/USAODrovers