NAIA

[Baseball] No. 2 USAO Splits Their Opening Weekend at the Cajun Collision

STERLINGTON, La. – The No. 2 ranked University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma opened the season with a pair of tough double-headers at the Cajun Collision in Louisiana. In their first four games, the Drovers faced three teams that are ranked in the top 14 of the NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll. On Sunday, the Drovers opened the season with a 5-4 loss against No. 10 Central Methodist University, but they rebounded nicely with a 14-1 win against No. 14 Lyon College.On Monday, USAO opened the day with an 11-7 loss to Benedictine College, followed by a 10-2 win against #11 Indiana University – Southeast.-VS #10 CMU-In the season-opener, CMU jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning. The Drovers responded with one run in the third inning, followed by three more in the fourth to take a 4-2 lead. The Eagles pulled within one run in the top of the fifth inning, but the Drovers were able to maintain the lead going into the final inning. In the top of the seventh inning, the Eagles were able to push a pair of runs across home to steal the win.Brennan Brister (SO/Burleson, TX) and Colton Bensch (SO/Mustang, OK) led the Drovers at the plate, tallying four of the team's five hits in the game. Brister finished 2-for-3 with an inside-the-park homerun and three runs batted in, while Bensch closed 2-for-3 with a run scored. Joey Pena (JR/Mustang, OK) also provided some offense, concluding 1-for-2 with a walk, a double, and one run batted in.-VS #14 LYON-The Drovers bounced back from their opening loss in a major way, putting together 10 hits for a 14-1 win, against a quality opponent.Colton Williams (SR/Magnolia, TX) was impressive as always on the mound for USAO. Williams pitched 5.0 innings, allowing just three hits, zero runs, and he struck out eight batters as he improved his career win-loss record to 22-0.Eight different Drovers recorded a hit in the rout. Cristian Laboy (SR/Yabucoa, Puerto Rico) and Brandon Shumway (JR/Chickasha, OK) each contributed a pair of hits, to lead the offense. Laboy finished 2-for-4 with a pair of singles, while Shumway went 2-for-2 with walk, a triple, a stolen base, two runs scored, and two runs batted in.Bailey Holbrook (JR/Thousand Oaks, CA) blasted a solo-homer, and Jake Womack (JR/Chickasha, OK) knocked a double. Brock Henderson (SO/Chickasha, OK), Andres Romero (SR/Valencia, Venezuela), Luke Lewis (FR/Ft. Cobb, OK), and Colton Bensch each singled in the victory.-VS BC-The Drovers got off to a great start and held a 5-1 lead at the end of the second inning, but the Ravens were not done. Benedictine tightened the score to 5-3 in the fourth inning, and took over the lead with an eight-run fifth inning. USAO threatened a comeback with a run in sixth and seventh innings, but the Drovers were unable to capitalize on a bases loaded situation in the bottom of the seventh inning. In the sloppy contest, both teams committed five errors in the field. Offensively, USAO was led by Cristian Laboy, Andres Romero, and Brock Henderson who each recorded a pair of hits. Isaac Raab (JR/Port Huron, MI) closed the game 1-for-4 with a solo-homer. Ian Laureano (SR/Levittown, Puerto Rico) and Jake Womack each singled in the contest.-VS #11 IUSE-The Drovers were able to claim a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but the Grenadiers responded with a pair of runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning. USAO reclaimed the lead with a trio of runs in the top of the fifth inning. The Drovers added three insurance runs in the top of the sixth inning, extending the lead to 8-2. In the top of the seventh, USAO scored their final two runs to close out the impressive victory.Ricardo Velez (SR/Lajas, Puerto Rico) and Drew Shaver (SO/Sante Fe, TX) were fantastic on the mound for USAO. Velez pitched the first 3.0 innings, allowing just two hits and two runs, while striking out four batters. Shaver earned the win as he pitched the final 4.0 innings, allowing zero hits or runs, and he struck out seven batters.Ian Laureano and Cristian Laboy were a sensational 1-2 punch at the top of the Drovers batting order. Laboy went 3-for-4 with a walk, double, homerun, three runs scored, and he drove in five runs. Laureano concluded 4-for-5 with three runs scored, two doubles, a triple, a stolen base, and one run batted in.Bailey Holbrook and Brock Henderson each added a pair of hits in the rout. Holbrook went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI's, while Henderson went 2-for-4 with a run batted in.Kenneth Gonzalez (JR/Arecibo, Puerto Rico) and Colton Bensch each singled for the Drovers.  Stay up to date on all USAO Athletics news by following us on our media platforms!Athletics Website: www.usaoathletics.comLive-stream: www.portal.stretchinternet.com/usao/YouTube: USAO AthleticsTwitter: @DroverAthleticsFacebook: @USAODroversInstagram: @usao_drover_athletics