Winning Streak Continues
CHICKASHA – Five home
runs highlighted the University of Science and Arts’ two-game sweep of
Cameron Wednesday afternoon at Bill Smith Ballpark. The Drovers, which now
own a four-game winning streak, cranked out 20 hits and a grand slam in the
series to help post an 11-10 come-from-behind win in Game One and a 9-2
victory in Game Two.
USAO swept the four-game
season series with its I-44 rival by a combined score of 31-14. The Drovers
improved to 10-9 on the season with five non-conference games remaining in
its current home stand.
Game One ended in
anti-climactic fashion with pinch hitter Ryan Brincat drawing a bases-loaded
walk to score the winning run in the bottom of the seventh. But the Drovers
needed a Herculean effort just to rally from the seven-run deficit midway
through two innings.
CU’s B.J. Cole sent a
three-run homer over the scoreboard in left field in the first inning, and
added a three-run double in the second inning to lead the Aggies to a 7-0
lead. USAO inched its way back into the game with one run in the bottom of
the second and two runs in the third. The rally seemed futile when CU added
two more runs in the fourth inning for a 9-4 lead, but the Drovers answered
with a six-run fifth.
Jake Robertson’s
fifth-inning grand slam was his first home run of the season and instantly
brought the Drovers back to life with only a 9-8 deficit. Two batters later,
Cody Hines gave USAO a 10-9 lead when he blasted a ball over the wall in
left center scoring himself and Russell Boswell.
CU added a run in the top
of the seventh to tie the score, but Brincat’s walk in the bottom half ended
the game and gave USAO the win. Reliever Matt Mallory earned his third save
in as many games by not allowing a hit or run in his 2/3 inning of work in
the seventh.
In Game Two, Joel Atchley
and Kris Kolar homered for the Drovers while Pat Bridges dominated on the
mound in the 9-2 win. Bridges struck out eight batters and only gave up
three hits in seven innings.
Errors by both teams
marred most of the game. Bridges’ complete-game shutout was lost in the top
of the seventh due to two throwing errors by the infield. The teams combined
for more errors (11) than hits (9).
The Drovers continue
action at Bill Smith Ballpark Thursday with Brian Wyatt getting the start in
a nine-inning game against Iowa Wesleyan beginning at 2 p.m. USAO then will
be off until Sunday when it hosts Hastings, Neb., beginning at 1 p.m.
### |