Softball
Drovers Drop Two in Texas

LUBBOCK, Texas – Leslie Beaty hit her team-leading fifth home run of the season in game one Thursday. And Sarah Jamison and Kelsey MacInnes posted back-to-back RBI doubles, but sixth-ranked Lubbock Christian had too much offense and too much pitching for the University of Science and Arts. LCU took both games of the doubleheader at Plains Capital Park 10-1 and 10-2.

LCU jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first inning of game one on the strength of two doubles and two home runs. LCU leads the nation batting average, slugging percentage and home runs. The Lady Chaps hit four homers Thursday to give the team 68 for the season, which ranks second all-time in NAIA.

Beaty hit her two-out solo homer in the top of the third to pull USAO to within 6-1. Chancie Godwin, after coming into the game in the first inning, pitched four scoreless innings until LCU scored four runs in the sixth to end the game.

LCU took a 1-0 lead in the first inning of game two, but back-to-back doubles by Jamison and MacInnes gave USAO its first lead of the day 2-1.

The Drover lead held up until LCU scored three in fourth and six in the fifth to end the game.

USAO fell to 18-23-1 overall and 8-14 in the conference after playing a stretch of games that included the league’s top four teams in consecutive series and three top 10 teams. USAO had to face LCU twice during that stretch of games. LCU improved to 44-6 overall and 19-6 in the league during its inaugural season.

USAO travels to Shawnee for back-to-back series to end the regular season. Saturday USAO plays St. Gregory’s at 3 p.m., and the team travels to Oklahoma Baptist for a 2 p.m. start Tuesday.

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