#8 USAO Stretches Win Streak to 18 with Their Fourth Consecutive Shutout at Nelson University

WAXAHACHIE, Texas. – Saturday afternoon, the No. 8 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (37-7, 26-2 SAC) extended their win streak to 18 with their 20^th and 21^st shutouts of the season on the road at Nelson University (16-26, 9-19 SAC). The Drovers endured wet conditions and won Saturday's first game 9-0 (6 inn.), followed by a 1-0 triumph in the series finale.

On Friday, 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 sweep, USAO improves to 52-0 against Nelson in head-to-head matchups since 2014.

During USAO's 18-game win streak, they have outscored opponents 140-14. Furthermore, they have won their last 23 games against conference opponents, with 14 of those wins ending via the run-rule. In total, USAO has won 16 games this season via the run-rule (8+ run lead after 5 innings).

GAME 1

The Drovers scored early and often in Saturday's first game, pushing across a pair of runs in the top of the first inning. USAO stretched the advantage to 4-0 with a pair of runs in the third.

Leading 4-0 going into the sixth, the Drovers rallied for five runs before holding the Lions scoreless in the bottom half of the inning, ending the game early due to the run-rule.

Aubree Ferguson was also sensational in the circle to earn her 13^th shutout of the season. Ferguson went all six- innings to improve her record to 18-2, allowing just three hits and struck out nine batters. In 21 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 (0.50). Her 18 wins rank fourth in the NAIA.

As a team, the Drovers offense produced 13 hits and reached on zero walks, while the Lions tallied three hits and drew zero walks. USAO was unblemished on defense, while Nelson committed one fielding error.

The top three batters in USAO lineup combined to go 9-11 at the plate in, including four doubles, six runs scored, and five runs batted in. Malea McMurtrey led the way, going 4-4 with two doubles, three runs scored and drove in a run. Kinzie Williams finished 3-4 with a double, three runs scored and a run batted in, while Leighanne Eaton went 2-3 with a double and three runs batted in. Eaton currently ranks second in the NAIA with 63 runs batted in.

Jordan Ramsay concluded 1-3 with a run scored and a run batted in. Maddy Baber singled and drove in a run, while Aubree Ferguson and Taylor Cronic each singled and scored.

GAME 2

The only run of the series finale came in the top of the third inning as Taylor Cronic swiped home on a double steal with runners on first and third.

As a team, the Drovers offense produced nine hits and reached on zero walks, while the Lions were held to two hits and two walks. USAO was unblemished on defense, while Nelson committed one fielding error. In USAO's last 16 games, they have committed a fielding error in only one of those contests.

Jayden Anderson got the start in the circle and dealt the ninth shutout of her career at USAO, going all 7.0 innings, allowing just two hits and she struck out five batters.

Anderson improves her record to 8-0 this season and is now 35-6 record and a 1.72 earned run average, while striking out 251 batters in 273.1 innings of work.

Taylor Cronic led the USAO offense, going 3-3 with a double and scored the game's only run. Malea McMurtrey continued to swing a hot bat, going 2-4 with a pair of singles.

Jaylee Willis finished 1-3 with a double, while Jordan Ramsay, Maddy Baber, Dillyn Coe each singled once in the finale.

NAIA STAT RANKINGS

USAO OFFENSE

• 2^nd in triples (25)
• 2^nd in extra base hits (146)
• 2^nd in doubles (95)
• 2^nd in stolen bases (153)
• 3^rd in hits (435)
• 3^rd in runs (318)
• 4^th in slg% (.545)
• 10^th in batting avg. (.360)
• 17^th in HR (26)

USAO PITCHING

• 1^st in strikeouts (304)
• 1^st in innings pitched (277.1)
• 2^nd in wins (37)
• 3^rd in ERA (1.51)
• 11^th in WHIP (1.10)

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 420-69 (.859). Additionally, the unit has a sensational earned run average of 1.46, along with 3,466 strikeouts in 3,212.0 innings pitched. Furthermore, the team has recorded 35 no-hitters/perfect games and 175 shutouts in the last 489 games played. In that same span, the Drovers have only surrendered 669 earned runs.

Aubree Ferguson has 21 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 (0.50). Ferguson owns an 18-2 record in 2026 and has claimed a pair of SAC Pitcher of the Week awards.

In two seasons, she has produced a record of 23-2 with a 1.23 ERA and 545 strikeouts in 148.0 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 35-6 record and a 1.72 earned run average, while striking out 251 batters in 273.1 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 now look ahead to a four-game series against their archrival No. 2 ranked Oklahoma City University on April 17-18 at Bill Smith Ballpark

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