SOFTBALL: Science & Arts softball sweeps SCU in conference play

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

Apr. 1—The Drovers earned a sweep.

Ranked fourth in the NAIA, the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma softball team looked to win another Sooner Athletic Conference series after losing a series to a ranked Oklahoma City University team and splitting four games with Mid-America Christian University. Despite playing in Chickasha against Southwestern Christian University, Science & Arts swept the Eagles as the road team Thursday and Friday.

Allowing just one run through the first three games of the series, Science & Arts outscored SCU 30-7 and picked up four crucial conference victories. The Drovers won 4-0, 12-0, 7-1 and 7-6 during the two days.

First game

A dominant Sophie Williams performance in the circle kept SCU from really threatening in what was a pretty close game. Only one Eagle batter got on base in Science & Arts' 4-0 win.

Williams gave up just one hit and struck out 16 batters in the win.

And the offense did enough to help give the Drovers a strong start to the series. The team scored four runs on RBI singles from Malea McMurtrey, Shaylann Grace, Jadyn Goucher, and Williams.

Second game

Science & Arts' offense took off in Thursday's second game. After scoring one run in the top of the first and four runs in the top of the third, the Drovers put the hammer down by scoring seven runs in the sixth inning of a 12-0 run-rule victory.

The long ball helped the Drovers in the win and made up five of the team's 12 runs. Sierra Selfridge and Goucher sent balls over the fence.

Selfridge ended the game with four RBIs and drove in three runs on her home run in the sixth inning. The Drovers scored two runs on Goucher's home run in the third inning.

The pitching win went to Jayden Anderson and her four strikeouts in six innings.

Third game

Science & Arts and SCU were in a 1-1 draw entering the top of the fifth inning Friday, and that was when the Drovers blew the game open. The Drovers scored six runs in the inning to help secure the 7-1 victory.

Goucher and Taygan Graham each had two RBIs in the win, and all four of those RBIs came in the fifth inning. Williams gave another winning effort in the circle, striking out 10 more batters in seven innings.

Fourth game

The Drovers fell behind in the final game of the series but responded in a 7-6 win that closed out the series sweep.

After falling behind 4-0, SCU scored five runs in the bottom half of the second inning to take its first and only lead of the entire series. That lead lasted until the fourth inning and lasted until Selfridge blasted a home run that put three runs on the board and gave the team a 7-5 lead.

Selfridge recorded two hits and six RBIs in the victory.

After coming on in relief, Abi Gregory got credit as the winning pitcher. Williams also pitched 3.2 innings of relief in the win.

Season

The Drovers now sit at 24-7 on the season and 15-5 in conference play.