NAIA
[Baseball] Drovers Fall in SAC Championship Game at OCU
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Monday afternoon, the No. 2 seed University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (35-13, 17-7 SAC) suffered a 13-5 loss in the SAC Tournament championship game at Oklahoma City University (47-4, 22-2 SAC). The loss unfortunately ends the Drovers' streak of three consecutive SAC Tournament Championships (2018, 2019, 2021).USAO's offense produced at least 10 runs in each of their previous three tournament games, and concludes the opening weekend of the postseason with a total of 41 runs scored in four games played. Despite playing at OCU, the Drovers were the home team on the scoreboard.The Stars quickly took the lead with one run in the top of the first inning, but the Drovers immediately responded with five runs in the bottom of the first to take an early 5-1 lead. However, those five runs were the only runs the Drovers would score in the game. OCU tied the game at 5-5 with a four-run second inning, followed by one more run in the third. The Stars extended their lead to 8-5 with two runs in the fifth, prior to adding two more in the sixth. Oklahoma City scored their final three runs in the eighth inning.As a team, the Drovers pieced together six hits, while the Stars tallied 13. Brock Henderson (JR/Chickasha, OK) led USAO at the plate, going 2-5 with a run scored. Joey Pena (SR/Mustang, OK) and Gage Gaunt (SO/Clinton, OK) each blasted two-run homers in the first inning. Peyton McDowall (JR/Cibolo, TX) finished 1-3 with a double, a walk, and a run scored. Luis Pelayo (SR/Santa Cruz, Aruba) singled and walked. Gabriel Arroyo (SO/Arecibo, Puerto Rico) had his 10-game hit-streak snapped, but he was able to draw a walk and score a run. Josh Harrel (JR/Cashion, OK) suffered the loss on the mound, surrendering one earned run in 2.0 innings. Kaden Alexander (JR/Broken Arrow, OK) pitched the next 2.0 innings and allowed a pair of runs, while striking out a pair of batters. Adam Day (SO/Glen Rose, AR) pitched 3.0 innings in relief, followed by 2.0 innings from JD Prather (FR/Amber, OK). WHAT'S NEXT?The Drovers now await the NAIA Baseball National Championship Selection Show, to determine if they will receive an at-large bid into the national tournament. The Selection Show is scheduled for Thursday, May 12 at 4:00 PM CT on the NAIA Facebook page.If selected into the tournament, the Drovers will head to the Opening Round, which is scheduled to take place from May 16-19. 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