Baseball
Drovers Split Doubleheader at SNU

BETHANY – Behind a 4-for-4 day at the plate from Joel Atchley, the University of Science and Arts won game two of Saturday’s doubleheader 6-5 against Southern Nazarene. The Drovers had to settle for a split as SNU rallied for a 4-2 win with a three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth of game one.

Game two started with plenty of offense. USAO scored a run in the first and second inning, but SNU answered with a run in the first and two runs in the second to take a 3-2 lead.

Louie Romero started the third inning with a double and scored on a base hit by Scott Ylda. Atchley posted one of his two RBIs when he singled home Ylda to give the Drovers a 4-3 lead after three innings.

In the fifth, Ylda scored again on a balk, and Atchley scored on a single by Kyle Dotson.

Freshman Caleb Martin picked up the win giving up four earned runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings pitched with three strikeouts. Ken Wieda collected the save by giving up only one hit and one earned run in two innings of relief.

In game one Atchley homered in the fourth inning, and Brandt Lierle scored in the fifth inning as USAO took a 2-1 lead.

SNU took control of the game and the series in the sixth inning when Brent Hardin blasted a three-run home run to left field that scored the go-ahead runs.

The Drovers fell to 13-15 overall and 8-10 in the Sooner Athletic Conference. USAO will host I-44 south rival Cameron beginning at 2 p.m. Tuesday before returning to league play Friday against I-44 north rival Mid-America Christian at Bill Smith Ballpark.

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