Drovers Sweep Peru State

CHICKASHA – Led by an offensive explosion in game one and overpowering pitching in game two, the University of Science and Arts swept Peru State in a doubleheader Friday afternoon at Bill Smith Ballpark.

Led by a grand slam from Joe Burnell, USAO rolled to a 15-5 run-rule decision in game one. Game two featured three perfect innings from former University of Oklahoma and Fort Cobb-Broxton star Nate Hammons as the Drovers won 5-2.

USAO improved to 10-5-1 on the season as the team gears up for Sooner Athletic Conference play beginning on Saturday with a home doubleheader against Southern Nazarene.

Burnell’s grand slam in the first inning of game one helped USAO jump out to an 8-0 lead. Ryan Birney, Cody Hines and Adam Crosbie drove in runs to begin the onslaught.

It was more of the same in the second inning as sophomore Joel Atchley hit one of his four doubles on the day to begin a six-run inning by scoring Burnell.

Birney drove in Atchley as part of his 3-for-3 day at the plate, and Brandt Lierle doubled in Birney. Adam Crosbie hit a triple to center field to score Lierle, and Hines singled in Crosbie to give USAO a 14-3 lead after two innings.

It was in cruise control from there as Pat Bridges improved his record to 2-0 on the season by giving up only six hits in three innings. Tuttle native Justin Ferguson pitched the two scoreless innings in relief giving up only two hits and striking out a pair.

In game two, Hammons showed a little rust early from being out two weeks due to injury. The sophomore, who began his collegiate career with the Sooners, gave up two earned runs in the first inning, but he rebounded by mowing PSU batters down for the next three innings while the offense got going. He finished with four strikeouts in his third start.

Down only 2-1 after Birney doubled in Atchley in the first inning, USAO took the lead in the third inning with a sacrifice fly by Lierle that scored Atchley, and Crosbie scored later that inning on a Bryan Jones single.

Travis Graham entered in the sixth inning and no-hit PSU for his first save. Burnell homered in the sixth inning for his second of the day.

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