#4 USAO Claims Pair of Run-Rule Wins on First Day of SAC Tournament

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Thursday afternoon, the No. 4 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (46-8, 33-3 SAC) opened the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament with a pair of wins against No. 8 seed Nelson University and No. 4 seed Mid-America Christian University. The Drovers began the day with a 8-0 (5 inn.) shutout win against Nelson, followed by another 8-0 (6 inn.) triumph against MACU in game two. USAO had three pitchers combine for a no-hitter against Nelson, and the Drovers allowed a total of two hits in the twin bill. With the pair of run-rule wins, the USAO has ended the game earlier than scheduled on 19 occasions this season.

Prior to the tournament, USAO won the regular season championship for the second year in a row (2004, 2019, 2025, 2026), and they look to claim their fourth consecutive SAC Tournament crown, having previously won in 2015, 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025.

GAME 1 vs #8 NELSON (18-34, 11-25 SAC)

After holding Nelson scoreless in the top of the first, USAO jumped out to an early 2-0 lead as Leighanne Eaton blasted her 11^th home run of the year. The Drovers then rallied for six runs in the bottom of the third, while holding the Lions hitless for the entirety of the contest. The no-hitter is the fourth of the season for the Drovers (Aubree Ferguson 2x, Jayden Anderson 1x, combined no-hitter 1x).

With the victory, USAO improves to 53-0 against Nelson in head-to-head matchups since 2014.

Gabby Toquothty got the start in the circle, before being relieved by Jayden Anderson for 4.0 innings. Anderson earned the win to improve to 12-1, and she struck out four batters. Keylee Beckwith pitched the final inning and struck out one batter. The USAO pitching staff has dealt 37 no-hitters/perfect games since the start of the 2018 season. 

As a team, the Drovers offense produced 11 hits and reached on two walks, while the Lions tallied no hits and drew six walks. USAO committed one fielding error, while Nelson was unblemished defensively.

USAO's offense was led by a trio of two-hit performances from Leighanne Eaton, Malea McMurtrey, and Taylor Cronic. Eaton finished 2-3 with a home run and four runs batted in, while McMurtrey went 2-3 with a triple, a run scored, and a run batted in. Cronic concluded 2-3 with a double and a run scored.

Maddy Baber doubled and scored in her only trip to the plate. Lexie Lovelace returned from injury and went drove in a pair of runs in her only at bat of the game. Maveryck Lightfoot singled, scored, and drove in a run. Kinzie Williams and Lilyana Portillo each singled in the win.

GAME 2 vs #4 MACU (22-25, 19-17 SAC)

The Drovers held the Evangels scoreless in the top of the first inning, prior to the Drovers striking for a trio of runs in the bottom half of the inning, highlighted by a two-RBI double from Leighanne Eaton, and a RBI-double from Lilyana Portillo.

Portillo kept the offense rolling in the bottom of the third, blasting a home run to help give the Drovers a 6-0 lead.

Vanessa Portillo and Malea McMurtrey each drove in a run in the bottom of the sixth to end the game via the run-rule.

With the win, the Drovers have won 33 of the last 39 meetings against the Evangels and improve to 60-16 against MACU overall since April 2008.

As a team, the Drovers offense produced 12 hits and did not draw a walk, while the Evangels tallied two hits and drew three walks. MACU committed one fielding error, while USAO was perfect on defense. USAO stole five bases on the basepaths, and the Evangels swiped just one base.

Aubree Ferguson got the start in the circle and went all six innings to improve her record to 23-2 this season. USAO's ace dealt her 16^th shutout of the season. Ferguson struck out six batters in the gem.

In 26 appearances this season, the sophomore has allowed an earned run in only five of those contests, and she currently ranks first in the NAIA in earned run average (0.53). Her 23 wins rank fifth in the NAIA.

Four different Drovers produced a pair of hits in the win, led by Lilyana Portillo going 2-3 with a double, a home run, and three runs batted in.

Leighanne Eaton concluded 2-3 with a double, two runs scored, and two runs batted in. Eaton now ranks fourth in the NAIA in runs batted in with 76.

Taylor Cronic finished 2-3 with her 18^th double of the season, along with a run scored. Kinzie Williams singled twice, stole two bases, and scored once.

Malea McMurtrey, Aubree Ferguson, and Vanessa Portillo each singled and drove in a run, while Lexie Lovelace singled and scored.

NAIA STAT RANKINGS

USAO OFFENSE

• 1^st in triples (30)
• 2^nd in stolen bases (189)
• 4^th in extra base hits (168)
• 4^th in doubles (108)
• 4^th in runs (377)
• 7^th in hits (514)
• 8^th in slg% (.532)
• 12^th in batting avg. (.354)

USAO PITCHING

• 1^st in wins (46)
• 2^nd in ERA (1.33)
• 2^nd in strikeouts (354)
• 5^th in WHIP (1.06)
• 9^th in innings pitched (342.1)

WHAT'S NEXT?

On Friday (May 1), the Drovers will face the winner between No. 4 MACU and No. 5 SCU at 3:00 PM CT at Bill Smith Ballpark. The winner will advance to the SAC Tournament championship game.

With a win, the Drovers would advance to their eighth consecutive appearance in the championship game. Since 2018, USAO has won the tournament four times, and Oklahoma City has won it three times.

• Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament Championships: 2015, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025 (5)

• Sooner Athletic Conference Regular Season Championships: 2004, 2019, 2025, 2026 (4)

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