NAIA
[Baseball] Drover Pitching Dominates Southwestern Christian in Double-Header Sweep
BETHANY, Okla. – Saturday afternoon, the No. 14 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (11-5, 2-1 SAC) clinched a series victory with a double-header sweep at Southwestern Christian University (11-6, 1-2 SAC). The Drovers outlasted the Eagles for a 2-1 extra-inning victory in the opener, followed by a hard fought 3-1 triumph in the series-finale. With the series victory, the Drovers continued their domination against the Eagles, improving to 26-2 in the all-time series against SCU. GAME 1 – In the epic pitcher's-dual, neither team was able to bring home a run until the top of the eighth inning, when the Drovers brought across a pair of runs to take the late lead. The Eagles scored once in the home half of the eighth, but it was too little, too late as Science & Arts closed out the victory, pulling the series even at 1-1.Drew Shaver (JR/Sante Fe, TX) was fantastic on the mound, earning the win for tossing 7.0 shutout innings. Shaver allowed zero runs and just two hits, while striking out five batters. Brett Lorah (SR/Elgin, OK) earned his first save of the season as he struck out a batter in the eighth inning.As a team, the Drovers strung together 10 hits, with three players having multi-hit performances. Peyton McDowall (JR/Cibolo, TX) led the way with a 3-4 clip and finished a homerun shy of the cycle. McDowall also produced a run scored and a run batted in. Joey Pena (SR/Mustang, OK) concluded 2-4 with a double and a triple, while Gabriel Arroyo (SO/Arecibo, Puerto Rico) went 2-3 with a walk and a run batted in. Brock Henderson (JR/Chickasha, OK), Will Hoch (Oklahoma City, OK), and Luke Lewis (SO/Ft. Cobb, OK) each tallied singles in the win. GAME 2 – The Eagles were able to take the lead first in the series-finale, with a run in the bottom of the third inning, but the Drovers immediately responded with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth inning. Science & Arts added one more insurance run in the top of the seventh to put the game without of reach.The Drovers used a terrific performance from the bullpen to earn the victory, relying on five different pitchers to quiet the Eagles' offense. Sean Craig (SR/Daly City, CA) got the start and pitched one inning, followed by Jacob Williams (SO/Binger, OK) for the second inning. Jack Junker (JR/Bandera, TX) pitched the third inning, prior to being relieved by JD Prather (FR/Amber, OK) in the fourth. Prather earned his first win of the season as he went 2.2 innings and struck out a pair of batters. Hagen Earls (JR/Summerfield, OK) earned the save as he pitched the final 1.1 innings, striking out one batter.At the plate, Science & Arts tallied eight hits from five different players. Gage Gaunt (SO/Clinton, OK), Joey Pena, and Peyton McDowall each recorded a pair of hits. Pena finished 2-4 with a double and a run batted in, while Gaunt and McDowall each went 2-4 with a pair of singles. Luis Pelayo (SR/Santa Cruz, Aruba) contributed a 1-2 performance that included a double, two walks, and two runs scored. Brandon Shumway (SR/Chickasha, OK) finished 1-2 with a RBI and a walk. WHAT'S NEXT?The Drovers aim to stay hot as they open a 3-game series against Southwestern Assemblies of God next weekend in Waxahachie, Texas. On Friday, March 11, first pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM, followed by a double-header on Saturday, that'll begin at 12:00 PM. 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