#19 USAO SWEEPS OPENING DAY DOUBLE-HEADER AT OLLU

GAME 1-

The Drovers wasted no time to take a lead in the season opener, striking for a pair of runs in the top of the first inning, on Christopher Martinez (FR/Bani, Dominican Republic)'s two-run double. 

However, the Saints responded with a couple of runs in the bottom of the second to take a 2-2 tie into the start of the third inning.

The score remained tied until the top of the fifth inning, when Gage Gaunt (JR/Clinton, OK) drove in Peyton McDowall (JR/Cibolo, TX) on a RBI-double to left field, giving the Drovers a 3-2 lead going into the sixth.

Science & Arts added an insurance run in the top of the seventh inning, prior to shutting down OLLU in the home half of the inning.

As a team, the Drovers tallied 11 hits, while holding the Saints to only five. Additionally, USAO did not commit an error and OLLU committed one error.

Josh Harrel (JR/Cashion, OK) got the win on the mound, going 5.0 innings, allowing just two earned runs on four hits. Harrel struck out three batters and walked two.

Nolan Gagnon (JR/Gutherie, OK) and Alden Norquist (JR/Turlock, CA) each delivered one scoreless inning in relief out of the bullpen. 

The USAO offense was led by Gavin Machado (SO/Houston, TX)'s and Ryan Duncan (SO/Tuttle, OK)'s two-hit performances. Machado closed the game 2-3 with a double, and Duncan finished 2-4 with a stolen base and a run scored.

Christopher Martinez drove in a pair of runs as he concluded 1-2 with a double and two walks. Gage Gaunt went 1-3 with a double and a run batted in, while Peyton McDowall went 1-4 with a double and a run scored. 

Ben Lawson (SO/Yukon, OK) concluded 1-3 with a walk and two runs scored. Will Hoch (SO/Oklahoma City, OK) delivered a pinch-hit RBI-single. Gunnar Hansen (SO/Superior, WI) and Nick Fleckenstein(SO/Iowa City, IA) each singled in the opener.

GAME 2-

Neither team was able to score a run until the top of the eighth inning when the USAO offense exploded for four runs. 

At the conclusion of the contest the Drovers had recorded nine hits, while the Saints finished with only three.

Megumi Fukuda (SO/Hyogo, Japan) and Boone Lasater (SO/Wagoner, OK) were tremendous on the mound as they combined for the three-hit shutout. Fukuda got the start and went 5.0 innings, allowing only two hits and he struck out four batters. Lasater was credited with the win after delivering 3.0 scoreless innings, and he struck out four batters while only allowing one hit.

Three different Drovers recorded multiple hits in the win. Gage Gaunt led the way, going 2-4 with a triple, two runs batted in, and a run scored. Christopher Martinez concluded 2-3 with a walk and a double, while Gunnar Hansen went 2-3 with a pair of singles. 

Peyton McDowall closed the game 1-4 with a double, a run scored, and a run batted in. Will Hoch and Antonio Hrynkiw (SR/Brechin, Ontario, Canada) each singled in the win.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers and Saints will conclude their 3-game series on Saturday, with USAO aiming for the sweep. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 PM at Missions Baseball Academy in San Antonio, Texas.

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