Drovers Open Conference Play with a Double Header Sweep Against WBU

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Saturday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (10-6, 2-0 SAC) opened conference play with a double-header sweep against Wayland Baptist University (9-9, 0-2 SAC). The Drovers began the series with a 7-4 victory, followed by a 6-3 triumph in game two.

USAO has dominated the all-time series against WBU, going 48-14 against the Pioneers since the series began in March 2007. Furthermore, the Drovers have won 14 in a row against the Pioneers, and 30 of the last 31 meetings against the conference rivals.

• GAME 1

After the first game of the day began with a scoreless inning, the Pioneers took an early lead with one run in the top of the second inning. The lead was short-lived as the Drovers brought across a pair of runs in the bottom of the second inning. 

WBU evened the score at 2-2 with a run in the top of the fourth inning. The score remained tied until the bottom of the fifth when the USAO offense exploded for a five-run rally, highlighted by Gage Ninness' triple that drove in a pair of runs. 

The Pioneers scored their final two runs in the top of the seventh, but it was too little, too late for the visitors. 

As a team, the Drovers offense produced 10 hits and reached on six walks, while the Pioneers tallied seven hits and drew four walks. The Drovers committed one fielding error, and the Pioneers were perfect on defense.

The Drover offense was led by a trio of two-hit performances from Gage Ninness, Corey Morro, and Ben Bach. Ninness concluded 2-3 with a triple, a walk, two runs scored, and three runs batted in. Morro went 2-3 with a walk and a run batted in, while Bach went 2-3 with a walk and a run scored. 

Chritopher Martinez finished 1-3 with a run batted in, while Gunnar Hansen went 1-4 with a double. 

Ricky Requejo and Devin Alvarez were terrific at the bottom of the order for the Drovers. Requejo closed the game 1-1 with a walk, a run scored, and a run batted in. Alvarez went 1-2 with a walk and a pair of runs scored. 

Brian Ereu got the start on the mound for the Drovers and delivered 4.2 innings of work, surrendering one earned run on five hits, and he struck out seven batters. Ryan Cullinane relieved Ereu for the next 1.1 innings and earned the win as he struck out three batters while allowing two runs. Tristan Perry allowed only one hit and struck out a batter as he pitched a scoreless seventh inning.

• GAME 2

The second game of the day start ed much like the first, with the Pioneers claiming an early lead prior to the Drovers gaining momentum and claiming the win. 

After the game began with two scoreless innings, WBU brought in one run in the top of the third. 

The Drovers trailed until the bottom of the fourth inning when they struck for three runs, highlighted by Ian Ortiz's second home run of the season. 

The Pioneers trimmed their deficit to 3-2 with a run in the top of the fifth inning, prior to the Drovers struck for three more runs in the bottom half of the inning to push the lead to 6-2. 

WBU scored their final run in the top of the sixth inning, before being held scoreless for the remainder of the contest.

As a team, the Drovers offense produced seven hits and reached on five walks, while the Pioneers tallied six hits and drew four walks. Wayland Baptist committed one error on defense, while USAO was perfect on defense. 

The Drover offense was led by a trio of two-hit performances, led by Ian Ortiz's big game. Ortiz finished 2-3 with a homer, a stolen base, and four runs batted in. Gage Ninness stayed hot at the plate as he went 2-4 with a double and a run batted in, while Corey Morro went 2-2 with a walk. 

Ben Bach concluded 1-3 with a pair of runs scored. 

Tyson Noel got the start on the mound for the Drovers and delivered 5.2 strong innings of work, allowing three runs on six hits and he struck out nine batters to earn the win. Rob Schmidt earned his first save of the season as he closed out the final 1.1 innings, surrendering no runs and he struck out one batter.

WHAT'S NEXT?

USAO and WBU will conclude the three-game series on Sunday, February 23 at 12:00 PM CT.

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