NAIA
[Baseball] Drovers Drop Series Opener at MACU
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Thursday afternoon, the No. 14 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (19-8, 9-4 SAC) suffered a tough 8-5 loss in the series opener at Mid-America Christian University (22-8, 10-3 SAC).Despite the loss, the Drovers still lead the all-time series against the Evangels by a wide margin of 40-7, including victories in 33 of the last 37 matchups.The Drovers got off to a great start in the series opener, bringing across one run in the top of the first inning. USAO extended their lead to 3-0 in the top of the third on Gage Gaunt (SO/Clinton, OK)'s two-run homer.However, in the bottom of the fourth inning, the Evangels pulled the score even as they brought in a trio runs. MACU added three more runs on a homerun in the bottom of the fifth inning.In the bottom of the sixth, the Evangels scored one more run on an error to take a 7-3 lead, but the Drovers immediately responded with a pair of runs in the top of the seventh to cut the deficit to 7-5.MACU stifled USAO's momentum by scoring an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth inning, prior to shutting the Drovers down in order in the top of the ninth.Josh Harrel (JR/Cashion, OK) made the start on the mound for the Drovers and he did well in the opening three innings, but the Evangels began to find success in the fourth. In 4.0 innings of work, Harrel allowed five hits and six earned runs, while collecting five strikeouts.Sean Craig (SR/Daly City, CA) delivered 2.1 innings of relief for Harrel, allowing no earned runs and he struck out three batters. Brett Lorah (SR/Elgin, OK) allowed one run in 1.2 innings, and he struck out one batter.As a team, the Drovers produced seven hits, coming from six different players. Gage Gaunt led the offense with a 2-4 performance that included his team-leading eighth homerun of the season, in addition to two runs scored and two runs batted in. Brandon Shumway (SR/Chickasha, OK) concluded 1-3 with a pair of RBI's, while Joey Pena (SR/Mustang, OK) went 1-4 with a double. Will Hoch (Oklahoma City, OK), Gabriel Arroyo (SO/Arecibo, Puerto Rico), and Luke Lewis (SO/Ft. Cobb, OK) each singled and scored a run. WHAT'S NEXT?The final two games of the series will now shift to Bill Smith Ballpark on Saturday, April 2, as the Drovers attempt to comeback for the series victory. First-pitch of game one is scheduled for 1:00 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