Drovers Slug the Saints to Claim the Series Victory on the Road in Texas

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Saturday afternoon, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (2-1, 0-0 SAC) wrapped up the series win with an emphatic 14-5 victory in the series finale at Our Lady of the Lake University (1-2, 0-0 RRAC). On Friday evening, the Drovers earned a 4-2 victory in the season opener, followed by a controversial 6-5 loss in game two. With the series victory, the Drovers are now 15-9 all-time against the Saints, a series which dates to January of 2016. 

Out for revenge after a disappointing loss on Friday night, the Drovers immediately took the lead in Saturday's contest, bringing across a pair of runs in the top of the first inning. Both runs came in to score on Ben Bach's two-out RBI-triple. 

OLLU responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first to tie the score at 2-2, but USAO quickly reclaimed the lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the second to jump ahead 4-2. Gabriel Arroyo drove in the inning's first run with a RBI-triple that plated Gage Ninness. Arroyo then came in the score on a passed ball. 

The Drovers continued to add to the lead with two more runs in the top of the third inning, courtesy of a RBI-double from Ian Ortiz and RBI-single from Ryan Duncan. In the top of the fourth, USAO pushed the lead to 7-2 with a RBI-single from Ian Ortiz, bringing in Ben Bach. 

In the top of the fifth inning, Gabriel Arroyo extended USAO's lead to 8-2 with a RBI-single, bringing in Ryan Duncan.

OLLU answered with a solo-homerun in the bottom of the fifth to cut OLLU's deficit to 8-3. 

USAO increased their lead to 9-3 as Gage Ninness scored on a passed ball in the top of the seventh, prior to OLLU scoring one run on a solo-homerun in the bottom of the eighth. 

The Drovers got red-hot in the top of the ninth and brought in five more runs to take a 10-run lead. The top of the ninth was highlighted by a two-RBI single from Gabriel Arroyo and a pair of RBI-doubles from Peyton McDowall and Gunnar Hansen. 

The Saints managed to bring in one more run in the bottom of the ninth, but it was far too little, too late.

The USAO offense was tremendous in the win, producing 17 hits, including six that went for extra bases, and they reached the bases on nine walks as well. In comparison, OLLU tallied 13 hits and reached on only two walks. The Drovers left 12 men on base and the Saints left 10 baserunners stranded.

Gabriel Arroyo led the offensive attack for the Drovers with a 4-6 performance that included a triple, three runs scored, and four runs batted in. Ryan Duncan was perfect at the plate, going 3-3 with a pair of runs scored and a RBI, while Gage Ninness went 3-5 with a walk, a double, and three runs scored. 

Christopher Martinez stayed hot by going 2-4 with two walks and two runs. Ian Ortiz contributed a 2-5 performance that included a double, a run scored, and a pair of RBIs. Ben Bach went 1-2 with a triple, a walk, two runs scored, and two runs batted in. Gunnar Hansen closed 1-3 with a double, three walks, and a RBI, while Peyton McDowall went 1-5 with a double, a run scored, and a RBI.

Jared Adams got the start for USAO on the mound and earned the win as he went 5.0 innings. Adams only surrendered three runs on six hits, and he struck out three batters. Tristan Perry relieved Adams in the sixth inning and struck out one batter in a scoreless inning of work. Cale Hutchens tossed 0.2 scoreless innings, followed by Hagen Earls for one out to close the seventh. Fernando Medina and Alden Norquist each delivered an inning of relief and surrendered one run apiece. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Drovers will return home to Bill Smith Ballpark for a three-game series against McPherson College on February 2-3. The Drovers will face the Bulldogs for one game on Friday night at 5:00 PM CT, followed by a double-header on Saturday beginning at 12:00 PM.

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