NAIA

[Baseball] #14 Drovers Split Double-Header on the Road at Sterling College

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Saturday afternoon, the No. 14 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (9-4, 0-0 SAC) split a double-header at Sterling College (8-6, 0-0 KCAC). The Warriors used a walk-off hit by pitch to win the opener 3-2, but the Drovers responded well and earned a 9-2 victory in the finale. GAME 1-After three scoreless innings, the Drovers were able to capture the first lead of the game as Brock Henderson (JR/Chickasha, OK) drove in Peyton McDowall (JR/Cibolo, TX) in the top of the fourth inning. Henderson was then driven in by Gabriel Arroyo (SO/Arecibo, Puerto Rico) to increase the lead to 2-0 going into the bottom half of the inning.The Warriors were able to strike for a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to pull the score even at 2-2.The score remained knotted going into the bottom of the seventh, when Sterling College was able to load up the bases and then used a hit by pitch to earn the walk-off victory.The Drovers outhit the Warriors 6-3, and committed three errors, compared to Sterling's five miscues, but Science & Arts was unable to capitalize on their opponents' mistakes.Drew Shaver (JR/Sante Fe, TX) got the start on the mound for the Drovers and delivered 4.0 solid innings of work, allowing just one earned run. Shaver allowed three hits, while striking out seven batters. Brett Lorah (SR/Elgin, OK) relieved Shaver in the fifth inning and went on to pitch 2.0 innings, allowing one earned run and he struck out four. Hagen Earls (JR/Summerfield, OK) entered the game in the seventh inning but was unable to record an out prior to the Warriors ending the game.Six different Drovers recorded hits in the first game of the day. Will Hoch (Oklahoma City, OK) went 1-1 with a double, while Joey Pena (SR/Mustang, OK), Colton Bensch (SR/Mustang, OK), Peyton McDowall, Gage Gaunt (SO/Clinton, OK), and Jake Womack (SR/Chickasha, OK) each singled.  GAME 2-The second game of the day opened with a pair of scoreless frames, but Gage Gaunt got the Drovers on the scoreboard with a bang, blasting his fourth homerun of the year in the top of the third inning.The score remained 1-0 until the top of the sixth, when the Drovers added a trio of insurance runs. The first run came when Peyton McDowall was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, followed by Brock Henderson's RBI-single. Brandon Shumway (SR/Chickasha, OK) then earned a bases loaded walk, bringing home Jake Womack. The Drovers pushed across five runs in the top of the seventh, extending their lead to 9-0. Brock Henderson drove in the fifth run with another RBI-single with the bases loaded. Luke Lewis (SO/Ft. Cobb, OK) followed Henderson with a 2-RBI single down the leftfield line. Brandon Shumway drove in the eighth run of the game, and then he was quickly driven in by Gage Gaunt.The Warriors were able to score a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh, but it was too little, too late for the home team. As a team, the Drovers had eight different players combine for 11 hits. Jake Womack, Peyton McDowall, and Brock Henderson each concluded with a pair of hits. Womack scored twice, while McDowall scored once and drove in one run. Henderson drove in a pair of runs and came around to score once.Brandon Shumway and Luke Lewis each singled and drove in a pair of runs. Joey Pena knocked a double and Will Hock scored a pair of runs, in addition to a single. Josh Harrel (JR/Cashion, OK) started on the mound for the Drovers and delivered 3.0 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits while striking out five batters. Sean Craig (SR/Daly City, CA) pitched the next 3.0 innings and did not allow a run as he fanned four batters. Kaden Alexander (JR/Broken Arrow, OK) allowed an earned run in one inning of work, and he struck out one batter. WHAT'S NEXT?The Drovers will return to action when they open conference-play on Thursday, March 3 against Southwestern Christian University at Bill Smith Ballpark. First-pitch is scheduled for 6:00 PM CT.             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