NAIA
[Baseball] #10 Drovers Come Up Short in Series Finale at Wayland Baptist
PLAINVIEW, Texas – Friday afternoon, the No. 10 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (31-9, 16-5 SAC) had their 12-game win-streak snapped with a 6-5 walk-off loss at Wayland Baptist University (24-19, 7-14 SAC). In the series finale, the Drovers took an early lead with one run in the top of the second inning, but the Pioneers quickly responded with a trio of runs in the bottom of the third inning. Wayland Baptist added one more run in the fourth inning, and held onto a 4-1 lead until the sixth inning. USAO cut the deficit to 4-3 with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth inning. The Drovers then tied the score at 4-4 in the seventh inning, before taking the lead with one more run in the top of the eighth.WBU evened the score at 5-5 with a solo-homerun in the bottom of the eighth inning, followed by a walk-off single in the ninth to end the game. Kaden Alexander (JR/Broken Arrow, OK) delivered a gutsy performance on the mound for the Drovers. Despite suffering the loss, Alexander pitched 7.1 innings, allowing four earned runs and he struck out four batters. Brock Henderson (JR/Chickasha, OK) relieved Alexander in the eighth inning with one out, and allowed one run in 1.1 innings pitched.As a team, the Drovers produced 13 hits, coming from eight different players. Luis Pelayo (SR/Santa Cruz, Aruba) and Peyton McDowall (JR/Cibolo, TX) each delivered three-hit performances. Pelayo contributed a 3-5 performance, which included a pair of doubles and a run scored, while McDowall finished 3-5 with a run scored and a run batted in. Jake Womack (SR/Chickasha, OK) concluded 2-4 with a pair of singles. Gabriel Arroyo (SO/Arecibo, Puerto Rico) went 1-4 with a homerun, a walk, and two runs scored, followed by Gage Gaunt (SO/Clinton, OK) who went 1-5 with a solo-homer.Brock Henderson, Joey Pena (SR/Mustang, OK), and Brandon Shumway (SR/Chickasha, OK) each singled in the series finale. WHAT'S NEXT?The Drovers will return to Bill Smith Ballpark for a non-conference matchup against Southwestern Oklahoma State University on Tuesday, April 26. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 PM. Earlier this season, USAO defeated SWOSU 17-7 on April 12 in Weatherford, Okla. Stay up to date on all Science & Arts Athletics news by following us on our media platforms!Athletics Website: www.usaoathletics.comLive-stream: www.sacsportsnetwork.com/usao/YouTube: Drover AthleticsTwitter: @DroverAthleticsFacebook: @DroverAthleticsInstagram: @drover_athleticsGIPHY: www.giphy.com/USAODrovers