NAIA

[Baseball] #12 Drovers Demolish Bulldogs in Weatherford

WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Tuesday evening, the No. 12 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (25-8, 14-4 SAC) extended their win-streak to six with an impressive non-conference victory at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (17-20, 11-13 GAC). With the 17-7 triumph at SWOSU (NCAA DII), the Drovers have won 10 of their last 11 games. Additionally, USAO improved to 6-4 in the last 10 meetings against the Bulldogs since March 22, 2016. The Drovers got off to a great start, striking for a pair of runs in the top of the first inning, courtesy of Joey Pena (SR/Mustang, OK) driving in two runs with a single. USAO struck for another pair of runs in the top of the second inning, prior to adding on four more insurance runs in the fourth to push the lead to 8-0.SWOSU briefly cut into the deficit with two runs in the bottom of the fourth, but Science & Arts immediately regained an eight-run lead by bringing in a pair of runs in the top of the fifth. The Drovers extended the lead to 14-2 with four more runs in the sixth inning, followed by three more in the seventh to take a commanding 17-2 lead.The Bulldogs scored five in the bottom of the seventh, but it was too little, too late as the Drovers picked up the "run rule" victory.The Drovers were on fire at the plate, tallying 18 hits, and they forced seven walks. Brandon Shumway (SR/Chickasha, OK) was perfect at the plate, going 4-4 with a pair of doubles, a walk, two runs scored, and a run batted in. Joey Pena continued to barrel the ball up, going 3-5 with his third homerun in the last three games, and he also added five RBI's. Luis Pelayo (SR/Santa Cruz, Aruba) also contributed three hits, concluding 3-4 with two doubles, a hit by pitch, a stolen base, four runs scored, and a pair of runs batted in. Pelayo's bat is red-hot, having delivered multiple hits in each of his last NINE games played.Peyton McDowall (JR/Cibolo, TX) contributed a 2-5 performance that included a double and two runs, while Jake Womack (SR/Chickasha, OK) went 2-4 with a double, a homerun, a walk, four runs scored, and four runs batted in.Gage Gaunt (SO/Clinton, OK) singled, walked, scored a run, and drove in a pair of runs. Brock Henderson (JR/Chickasha, OK) doubled, walked, and scored twice, while Luke Lewis (SO/Ft. Cobb, OK) singled once and walked once.Sean Craig (SR/Daly City, CA) got the start on the mound and allowed two earned runs in 3.1 innings, while striking out five batters. Brett Lorah (SR/Elgin, OK) relieved Craig in the fourth inning, struck out four batters in 2.2 scoreless innings. Adam Day (SO/Glen Rose, AR), Cayleb Hunter (SO/Chickasha, OK), and Hagen Earls (JR/Summerfield, OK) pitched in the seventh inning.  WHAT'S NEXT?The Drovers will open a four-game, non-conference series against College of the Ozarks on Friday, April 15, which will also be Military Appreciation Night. First-pitch of Friday's double-header is scheduled for 4:00 PM, followed by a 1:00 PM start for Saturday's double-header.        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