14 Drovers Tally Hits as USAO Slugs Randall University

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Tuesday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (16-8, 7-2 SAC) cruised to a dominant 24-1 victory against Randall University (1-15, 1-7 NCCAA). The Drover offense was on full display as they produced 25 hits as a unit, coming from 14 different players. 

The Drovers led from start to finish as they claimed their sixth win in the last seven games, and they improve to 8-2 at home this season.

After holding the Saints scoreless in the top of the first inning, USAO rallied for an astounding 11-run rally, resulting from nine hits and only one walk. The Drovers extended the lead to 16-0 with five more runs in the bottom of the second inning, highlighted by a two-run triple from Nolan Herchock. Boone Lasater launched a solo-home run in the fourth inning, prior to the Drovers adding three more runs in the fifth, highlighted by Nolan Herchock's two-run homer. 

The Saints scored their only run in the top of the sixth inning, trimming their deficit to 20-1. 

USAO pushed across four more runs in the bottom of the sixth, prior to holding Randall scoreless in the top of the seventh. 

USAO used a well-balanced offensive attack to claim the win, led by a pair of four-hit performances from Boone Laster and Peyton McDowall. Lasater concluded 4-4 with a double, a home run, four runs scored, and four runs batted in. The homer is the third of Lasater's career as a Drover. McDowall also finished 4-4 with two stolen bases, two runs scored, and a run batted in. McDowall now leads the team with six stolen bases, four of which have come in the last four games played. 

Jaden Wiley made big impression as he made his first start since returning from injury, going 3-5 with a pair of doubles, three runs scored, and two runs batted in. 

Nolan Herchock contributed a 2-3 performance that included a triple, a home run, two runs scored, and four runs batted in, while Gage Ninness went 2-2 with two doubles, two runs scored, and one run batted in. Ninness now owns a .420 batting average, which ranks third in the Sooner Athletic Conference and he has driven in 31 runs, ranking seventh in the conference.

Christopher Martinez launched his fourth homer of the year as he went 2-6, along with two runs scored and five runs batted in. 

Ian Ortiz went 1-1 with a double, a walk, and two runs scored. Ben Bach and Dawson Robbins each went 1-2 with a run scored and a run batted in, while Ricky Requejo and Josh Maysonave each finished 1-3 with a run scored. Jace Brandenburg singled in his only at bat of the game. 

Kyler Denton got the start for USAO on the mound and delivered 2.0 scoreless innings of work, surrendering only two hits and struck out three batters. Naton Herchock struck out the side in the third inning, prior to Bode Brooks tossing a scoreless inning in the fourth. Jakob Brandenberger also struck out the side in his only inning of work. Yohandel Santana struck out a batter and allowed a run in the sixth, followed by a scoreless inning of work from JD Prather, in the seventh to close out the win. Prather struck out a pair of batters in the final frame. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will now make the short trip to OKC for a three-game series at Oklahoma City University. Thursday's (March 14) series opener is scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM CT at Jim Wade Stadium. Saturday's double-header is scheduled for a 1:00 PM first pitch.

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