Drovers Dominate the Saints to Win the Opening Weekend Series in Texas

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Saturday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (2-1, 0-0 SAC) clinched their first series victory of the season with a dominant 13-2 triumph at Our Lady of the Lake University (1-2, 0-0 RRAC). On Friday, the Drovers were dealt a 3-2 loss in the series opener, followed by a thrilling 10-3 win in game two.

With the win, the Drovers improve to 17-10 all-time against the Saints, a series which dates to January of 2016.

On Saturday, the Drovers immediately took a commanding lead, bringing across five runs in the top of the first inning, highlighted by a bases clearing single from Gunnar Hansen. USAO maintained a five-run lead until the bottom of the second when OLLU struck for a pair of runs to cut their deficit to 5-2.

The Drovers responded positively in the top of the third, as the offense exploded for six runs to extend the lead to 13-2. USAO added their final two insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning, prior to shutting down OLLU in the bottom half of the inning, forcing the game to end early due to the "Run-Rule".

As a team, the Drovers offense produced 10 hits and reached on seven walks, while the Saints only tallied four hits and drew zero walks. USAO committed only one fielding error, while OLLU fumbled the ball three times on defense.

Four different Drovers recorded a pair of hits in the win, led by Gage Ninness' 2-4 performance that included a double, a run scored, and three runs batted in. Gunnar Hansen continued to swing it well and concluded 2-4 with a double, two runs scored, and two runs batted in. Ben Bach went 2-2 with a walk, two runs scored, and a run batted in, while Jaden Wiley went 2-3 with a walk and a pair of runs. 

Ian Ortiz went 1-2 with a double, a run scored and a run batted in. Corey Morro knocked a double and went 1-4 with a run scored and a RBI. Devin Alvarez drove in a pair of runs.

Jared Adams made his first start on the mound this season and he delivered a stellar performance to earn the win. In 5.0 innings of work, Adams surrendered only two runs on three hits, and he struck out four batters. Jakob Brandenberger entered the game in the sixth inning and sat the Saints down in order, prior to handing the ball off to Julian Pokorny for a scoreless seventh inning.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will return to action on January 31 as they play a double-header against Kansas Wesleyan University and William Penn University in Salina, Kan. First pitch against KWU is scheduled for 12:00 PM CT, followed by a 3:30 PM CT start time against WPU.

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