NAIA
[Baseball] Drovers Strike for a Dozen in SAC Tournament Opener
CHICKASHA, Okla. – Friday afternoon, the No. 2 seed University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (33-12, 17-7 SAC) opened the Sooner Athletic Conference with an impressive 12-7 victory against No. 7 Southwestern Christian University (26-24, 7-17 SAC).With the win, the Drovers improve to 27-2 all-time against the Eagles. Additionally, USAO has win 23 of the last 24 matchups against SCU, dating back to April 24, 2015.Science & Arts took an early lead with a run in the bottom of the second inning, but the Eagles immediately responded with four runs in the top of the third. USAO cut the deficit to 4-2 with one more run in the home half of the third inning.After allowing SCU to score a run in the top of the fourth inning, the Drovers rallied for six runs to take an 8-5 lead going into the fifth inning.Southwestern Christian cut the deficit to 8-6 with a run in the top of the fifth, but USAO once again gained separation with a four-run sixth inning. SCU scored their final run of the game in the eighth inning, but it was far too little, too late for the Eagles to overcome the Drovers lead. Josh Harrel (JR/Cashion, OK) pitched the opening 3.1 innings, allowing just one earned run, and he struck out three batters. Sean Craig (SR/Daly City, CA) relieved Harrel in the fourth inning and earned the win as he went 1.2 innings.Brett Lorah (SR/Elgin, OK) was great out of the bullpen, delivering 3.0 solid innings, allowing no earned runs and he struck out four batters. Hagen Earls (JR/Summerfield, OK) closed out the game with a scoreless ninth inning that included a pair of strikeouts.As a unit, the Drovers offense was spectacular, tallying 15 hits and eight walks to score a dozen runs. Peyton McDowall (JR/Cibolo, TX) and Brock Henderson (JR/Chickasha, OK) led the way with a pair of three-hit performances. McDowall concluded 3-5 with a homerun, two runs scored, and two runs batted in, while Henderson went 3-5 with a run scored and three RBIs.Luis Pelayo (SR/Santa Cruz, Aruba), Joey Pena (SR/Mustang, OK), and Gabriel Arroyo (SO/Arecibo, Puerto Rico) each recorded a pair of hits in the postseason opener. Pelayo closed 2-4 with a pair of walks and three runs scored. Pena finished 2-5 with a pair of RBIs and Arroyo went 2-4 with a run scored and he drove in a run.Gage Gaunt (SO/Clinton, OK) and Will Hoch (Oklahoma City, OK) each singled and drove in a run, while Luke Lewis (SO/Ft. Cobb, OK) singled and scored twice. WHAT'S NEXT?The Drovers advance to the winner's bracket matchup against No. 6 seed Wayland Baptist University on Saturday, May 7. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 PM CT at Bill Smith Ballpark. 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_athletics