Drovers Split Opening Day Double-Header at OLLU

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Friday evening, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (1-1, 0-0 SAC) opened the 2024 season with a double-header on the road at Our Lady of the Lake University (1-1, 0-0 RRAC). The Drovers earned a 4-2 victory in the season opener, followed by a disappointing 6-5 loss in game two. With the split, the Drovers are now 14-9 all-time against the Saints, a series which dates to January of 2016. 

-GAME 1-

The Drovers got off to a tremendous start, bringing across a pair of runs in the top of the first inning. Gage Ninness and Gabriel Arroyo opened the contest with back-to-back hits, and they were driven in on a single by Christopher Martinez and a sac-fly from Peyton McDowall.

The Drovers added to the lead with one run in the top of the third inning, courtesy of Ian Ortiz's RBI-double to center field. USAO increased the lead to 4-0 in the top of the sixth inning as Gabriel Arroyo connected on a RBI-double. 

However, the Saints cut the deficit in half with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, but the Drovers tightened up the defense and closed out the season-opening victory.

Brian Ereu got the start on the mound for the Drovers and delivered 5.1 innings of work to earn the win. Ereu surrendered a pair of hits and struck out four batters, while not allowing an earned run. Ryan Cullinane relieved Ereu in the sixth inning and earned the save as he struck out a batter and did not allow an earned run. 

The USAO offense produced six hits and the defense only committed one error. In contrast, OLLU only managed to record three hits and they also committed a fielding error.

The Drovers were led at the plate by Gabriel Arroyo's 2-3 performance, which included a pair of doubles, a walk, a run scored, and a run batted in. Christopher Martinez concluded 1-2 with a pair of walks and a RBI, while Peyton McDowall went 1-3 with a run scored and a run batted in. Gage Ninness finished 1-3 with a pair of runs, and Ian Ortiz concluded 1-4 with a double and a RBI.

-GAME 2-

After holding the Drovers scoreless in the top of the first inning, the Saints were able to capture the first lead of the game with one run in the bottom half of the first inning. USAO bounced back with a run of their own to tie the score at 1-1 as Ian Ortiz drove in Peyton McDowall with a sac-fly to center field. OLLU regained a 4-1 lead with a trio of runs in the bottom of the second inning.

USAO continued to trail until the top of the sixth inning, when they used a trio of runs to pull the score even at 4-4. Christopher Martinez drove in the inning's first run with a RBI-triple, prior to being driven in on Peyton McDowall's sac-fly. Gunnar Hansen then doubled and was driven in on a RBI-single from Ian Ortiz.

OLLU claimed the lead once again with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the sixth and took a 6-4 lead into the final inning. Down but not out, Christopher Martinez drove in Gage Ninness with a two-out double to cut the deficit to 6-5. 

With the bases loaded and two outs, Gunnar Hansen stepped to the plate and appeared to give USAO the lead with a hit on the right side of the infield, likely scoring two or more runs. However, the umpires made a very bizarre interference call to end the game, with neither of those potential runs counting. 

At the conclusion of the contest the Saints out-hit the Drovers by a margin of 9-6 and both teams committed a pair of fielding errors. USAO reached base on four walks and left four runners on the basepaths, while OLLU reached on three walks and left nine runners on base. 

The USAO offense was led by Christopher Martinez's 2-4 performance, which included a double, a triple, a run scored, and two runs batted in. Peyton McDowall concluded 1-2 with a run scored and a run batted in, while Ian Ortiz went 1-2 with a pair of RBIs. Gunnar Hansen went 1-1 with a double and a run scored. Gabriel Arroyo finished 1-3 with a walk and a run scored. 

Sam Replogle got the start for USAO on the mound, and he delivered 1.2 innings of work, prior to being relieved by Kyler Denton for the following 3.2 innings. Denton surrendered one earned run and he struck out a pair of batters. Rob Schmidt took over for Denton in the bottom of the sixth inning and did not allow an earned run in 0.2 innings. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The three-game series will conclude on Saturday, January 27 and first pitch is scheduled for 12:00 PM CT at Missions Baseball Academy in San Antonio, Texas.

Stay up to date on all Drover Athletics news by following us on our media platforms!

Athletics Website: www.usaoathletics.com

Live-stream: www.sacsportsnetwork.com/usao

YouTube: Drover Athletics

Twitter/X: @DroverAthletics

Facebook: @DroverAthletics

Instagram: @drover_athletics

GIPHY: www.giphy.com/USAODrovers