Mallory’s Nine Ks Gets Win

CHICKASHA – Nine strikeouts from Matt Mallory powered the University of Science and Arts to a 6-3 win over York College (Neb.) Sunday afternoon in Game Two of the doubleheader. USAO gave up four unearned runs in an 11-8 Game One loss.

The Drovers’ 21-inning shutout streak came to an end early in Game One as York bunted its way to three runs in the first inning. Brandt Lierle’s two-run home run in the third pulled USAO to within a run, but York’s five-run fourth inning – aided by four unearned runs - proved to be too much to overcome.

Mallory was in control of Game Two from the start. The senior from Grand Junction, Colo., had three strikeouts by the end of the second inning, but an error allowed a runner to score giving York a 1-0 lead.

Down 2-0 in the fifth inning, USAO turned the tide.

Ryan Birney started off the inning with a single through the left side. Louie Romero drew a walk, and both runners advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch. Birney scored, and Romero moved to third on a second wild pitch.

With two outs, Daniel Wood made his first appearance of the game and singled to score Romero. Lierle drew a walk, and Adam Crosbie was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Scott Ylda singled up the middle to score Joe Burnell who pinch ran for Wood, and Cody Hines hit a base clearing double that scored Lierle, Crosbie and Ylda.

York scored a run in the top of the seventh, but Mallory finished his first complete game of the season with his ninth strikeout of the day.

USAO improved to 5-3-1 on the season and collected its fourth win in five games. The Drovers are back in action Monday for the fourth straight day hosting Hillsdale Bible College at Bill Smith Ballpark at 1 p.m.

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