#7 USAO Outscores #2 OCU 19-2 in Double Header Sweep

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Friday night, the No. 7 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (39-7, 28-2 SAC) climbed to the top of the SAC standings with a double header SWEEP against No. 2 Oklahoma City University (37-5, 26-2 SAC). The Drovers opened the series with a dominant 9-2 victory, followed by a 10-0 run-rule triumph in game two.

With the pair of wins, USAO extends its win streak to 20, and they halted OCU's 30-game win streak.

Furthermore, USAO and OCU have faced each other 40 times since the start of the 2018 season, with the Drovers improving to 21-19 in that span. The Drovers are now 25-48 against the Stars all-time, dating to 2008.

During USAO's 20-game win streak, they have outscored opponents 159-16. Furthermore, they have won their last 25 games against conference opponents, with 15 of those wins ending via the run-rule. In total, USAO has won 17 games this season via the run-rule (8+ run lead after 5 innings).

GAME 1

The series opened with a pair of scoreless innings, prior to the Drovers rallying for six runs in the bottom of the third, highlighted by Taylor Cronic's three-run home run over the left field fence.

The Stars belted back-to-back homers in the top of the fourth, but that would be all OCU could produce.

The Drovers added insurance with three more runs in the bottom of the sixth, before slamming the door shut in the top of the seventh.

Aubree Ferguson got the start in the circle and went all seven innings to improve her record to 19-2 this season, allowing two runs on seven hits and struck out eight batters. In 22 appearances this season, the sophomore has allowed an earned run in only four of those contests, and she currently ranks third in the NAIA in earned run average (0.58). Her 19 wins rank sixth in the NAIA.

As a team, the Drovers offense produced eight hits and reached on three walks, while the Stars tallied seven hits and drew three walks. OCU committed a pair of fielding errors, while USAO bobbled the ball once on defense.  

USAO's offense was led by a pair of two-hit performances from Malea McMurtrey and Maddy Baber. McMurtrey finished 2-4 with a double, a run scored, and a run batted in, while Baber went 2-3 with a pair of doubles, a run scored, and a run batted in.

Taylor Cronic concluded 1-3 with her second homer of the season, in addition to two runs scored and three runs batted in.

Aubree Ferguson helped her own cause by going 1-3 with a run scored and a run batted in. Kinzie Williams singled, scored twice, and drove in a run. Jordan Ramsay singled and scored in the series opener.

GAME 2

The Drovers kept the momentum going early in game two, plating a trio of runs in the bottom of the first inning, which included Leighanne Eaton's 10^th home run of the season. USAO stretched the lead to 7-0 with four runs in the bottom of the third, sparked by Taylor Cronic's bases-clearing double.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Drovers scored their final three runs as Maveryck Lightfoot drove in a run, followed by a 2-RBI double off the bat of Camryn Clark. Jayden Anderson retired the Stars in the fifth to end the game early due to the run-rule.

As a team, the Drovers offense produced 10 hits and reached on three walks, while the Stars were held to two hits and one walk. USAO committed one fielding error, while OCU has four defensive miscues.

Jayden Anderson got the start in the circle and dealt the 10^th shutout of her career at USAO, despite not having her best stuff. Despite throwing more balls than strikes, Anderson was still somehow able to pitch a two-hit shutout, while only walking one batter and striking out three. She has now delivered a shutout in each of her last three starts, and in that span, she has surrendered only four hits, while fanning 19 batters in 18.0 innings.

Anderson improves her record to 9-0 this season and is now 36-6 record and a 1.69 earned run average, while striking out 254 batters in 278.1 innings of work.

USAO's offense was led by a pair of multi-hit performances from Kinzie Williams and Maddy Baber. Williams concluded 3-4 with a triple, a run scored, and a run batted in. Williams leads the NAIA with 11 three-baggers this season. Baber finished 2-3 with a pair of runs scored.

Leighanne Eaton went 1-3 with a two-run blast, while Taylor Cronic went 1-2 with a double, a walk, a run scored, and three runs batted in for the second game in a row.

Camryn Clark drove in a pair of runs with a hit in her only plate appearance. Malea McMurtrey finished 1-2 with a walk, a run scored, and a run batted in. Lilyana Portillo singled in her only trip to the plate.

NAIA STAT RANKINGS

USAO OFFENSE

• 2^nd in triples (26)
• 2^nd in extra base hits (153)
• 2^nd in doubles (99)
• 3^rd in stolen bases (158)
• 4^th in runs (337)
• 4^th in hits (453)
• 4^th in slg% (.546)
• 10^th in batting avg. (.360)
• 21^st in HR (28)

USAO PITCHING

• 1^st in strikeouts (315)
• 1^st in wins (39)
• 2^nd in ERA (1.50)
• 9^th in WHIP (1.10)
• 14^th in innings pitched (289.1)

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers and Stars will conclude the series on Saturday (April 18) at 12:00 and 2:00 PM CT at Bill Smith Ballpark

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