SOFTBALL: Science & Arts softball moves to No. 2, sweeps Peru State

Austin Litterell, The Express-Star, Chickasha, Okla.
·3 min read

Mar. 7—Wednesday was a big day for the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma softball team.

Just hours after finding out they moved from No. 6 to No. 2 in the NAIA rankings, the Drovers hosted a pair of games. And the Drovers continued their winning ways, sweeping a doubleheader with Peru State College in Chickasha.

The Drovers gradually added runs throughout a first game that ended with a 6-0 score. It took some time for the Drovers to get going on offense in the second game, but five runs in the fourth inning propelled the team to a 9-1 run-rule victory.

Williams shines

After earning her third Sooner Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week honor this season, Sophie Williams showed no signs of wanting to relinquish her grasp on that honor during the team's 6-0 win.

The junior pitcher was dominant in a no-hit performance that was on pace to be even more special than that. Only one Peru State player reached base the entire game, and that did not come until a walk in the top half of the fifth inning.

Williams struck out the first 14 batters she faced and finished the game with 18 total strikeouts.

Home runs help Drovers

Three home runs helped the Drovers in the sweep of their opponent.

The team hit two home runs in the first game and one in the second game. One of those did not leave the park.

With Science & Arts leading 2-0 in the first game after run-scoring hits from Jordan Ramsay and Jadyn Goucher, Shaylann Grace stepped up to the plate. She blasted a solo home run in the fourth inning to make the score 3-0.

Goucher's solo home run in the fifth inning made the score 4-0 and helped the Drovers score their final three runs in the inning.

Goucher and Grace had two hits apiece and two RBIs apiece.

Ramsay homered in the second game but did so in a different way. She hit a ball in the sixth inning that made its way past a diving outfielder and went to the fence.

Her speed gave the defense no chance. Two runs scored on the play and gave the Drovers an 8-1 lead.

Drovers rally

Science Arts faced a 1-0 deficit entering the bottom half of the fourth inning during the second game, but the team found a way. After the Drovers loaded the bases, Addison Willis did enough at the plate to drive in the tying run.

Taygan Graham got down a bunt in the inning, helping the Drovers take the lead. A pair of runs scored on the play, and the Drovers ended up with five runs in that inning and four runs in the sixth inning to finish the game.

Malea McMurtrey had two hits and two RBIs in the win. She ended the game with a walk-off RBI single.

Jayden Anderson earned the win in the circle.

Season

The Drovers extended their win streak to nine games with the sweep against Peru State and moved to 13-2.