Russian Pitcher Powers Sweep
SHAWNEE – Junior pitcher Marina Poddubskaya allowed only nine hits while striking out 18 batters in two complete games as the 22nd ranked University of Science and Arts swept Oklahoma Baptist 3-1 and 4-3 Tuesday afternoon on the road.
Poddubskaya improved to 14-7 on the season as USAO rallied from a one-run deficit with two runs in the fifth and one run in the sixth innings of game one. The Russian pitcher gave up just three hits and no earned runs in the first game.
A double by Amy Renault got the Drovers going in the fifth inning of game one. After Hillary Brown drew a walk, Leslie Beaty singled home Renault to tie the score at 1-1. Brown gave USAO its first lead when she scored on a passed ball.
In the sixth inning, Laurissa Eliason drew a leadoff walk, and Kelsey MacInnes moved her to second base on a sacrifice bunt. An OBU error on a grounder by Jennifer Bridgforth brought Eliason home for the final score.
In game two USAO had to overcome a one-run deficit again. In the third inning Morgan Thompson drove in Eliason on a sacrifice fly, and MacInnes scored on one of six OBU errors on the next at bat as USAO took a 2-1 lead.
OBU scored two runs in the fourth inning, but the Drovers had an answer in the fifth. Base hits by Thompson and Brown scored MacInnes and Bridgforth, and USAO wrapped up its first doubleheader sweep in conference play.
Beaty had the best day at the plate for the Drovers. The sophomore went 5-for-7 in the series with one RBI. Thompson led the team with two RBIs – both in game two.
USAO improved to 22-13 overall with second-ranked Oklahoma City visiting Bill Smith Ballpark at 2 p.m. Thursday.
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