HIT PARADE! Seven Drovers Tally Multiple Hits in Game One of Opening Round Against Morningside University

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Monday night, the No. 1 seeded University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (48-9, 33-3 SAC) opened the 2026 NAIA Softball Opening Round with a dominant 9-1 victory against No. 4 seed Morningside University (31-19, 17-5 GPAC). The Drovers have now won 20 games via the run-rule this season (8+ run lead after 5 innings).

After holding the Mustangs scoreless in the top of the first inning, the Drovers captured an early 1-0 lead as Lilyana Portillo drove in Kinzie Williams with a single to center field. USAO then doubled the lead on Kinzie Williams' RBI-single, driving in Jordan Ramsay.

After a scoreless third, the Drovers stretched their advantage to 7-0 with a five-run effort in the bottom of the fourth, highlighted by Leighanne Eaton's three-run home run.

Morningside scored their only run in the top of the fifth, followed by USAO's final two runs in the bottom of the sixth on RBI-singles from Malea McMurtrey and Maveryck Lightfoot.

The Drover offense was impressive, tallying 15 hits and drew a walk, while the Mustangs tallied five hits and walked three times. USAO was perfect on defense, while Morningside committed a pair of fielding errors. On the basepaths, the Drovers stole four bases, in comparison to one for the Mustangs.

Aubree Ferguson got the start in the circle and went 4.2 innings to improve her record to 25-2 this season. The 2026 SAC Pitcher of the Year surrendered just one run on three hits and struck out a pair of batters. In 29 appearances this season, the sophomore has allowed an earned run in only seven of those contests, and she currently ranks first in the NAIA in earned run average (0.65). Her 25 wins rank fifth in the NAIA.

Lakelynn Thompson pitched the final 1.1 innings and struck out four batters in a dazzling relief appearance.

Seven different Drovers recorded multiple hits, powered by Leighanne Eaton going 2-4 with her 12^th home run of the season, along with a trio of runs batted in. She now ranks third in the NAIA in runs batted in this season (80), and she also climbs to No. 2 in the USAO record book for most RBIs in a season. Sierra Selfridge established the current program record (87) in 2025.

Jordan Ramsay drove in a pair of runs as she went 2-3 with a run scored. Lexie Lovelace finished 2-3 with a double and a run scored, while Maveryck Lightfoot went 2-4 with a double, a run scored, and a run batted in. Kinzie Williams contributed a 2-4 performance that included a double, two stolen bases, two runs scored, and a run batted in. Malea McMurtrey went 2-4 with a stolen base, a run scored, and she drove in a run. Lilyana Portillo singled twice, walked, and drove in a run.

Taylor Cronic singled, scored, and stole a base in the opener.

NAIA STAT RANKINGS

USAO OFFENSE

• 1st in triples (30)
• 2nd in stolen bases (195)
• 3^rd in doubles (109)
• 4th in extra base hits (169)
• 5th in runs (381)
• 5th in hits (523)
• 8th in slg% (.529)
• 11th in batting avg. (.354)

USAO PITCHING

• 1st in wins (48)
• 2nd in ERA (1.30)
• 2nd in strikeouts (361)
• 4th in WHIP (1.05)
• 5th in innings pitched (349.1)

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will return to action on Tuesday (May 12) in the winner's bracket game against No. 3 College of Idaho at 3:00 PM CT at Bill Smith Ballpark.

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