OKLAHOMA CITY -- The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Drovers scored a run in the sixth to snap a 5-5 tie and went on to defeat the Mid-America Christian University Lady Evangels 6-5 in the second game of a doubleheader Wednesday afternoon (May 1) at Jack Allen Field. USAO also won the opener, 10-2.
After a throwing error kept the sixth inning alive, the Drovers took full advantage as Katie Jirek singled home the go-ahead run with two out.
Kenzie Graeber led off the bottom of the seventh with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Kenna McCoy, but was thrown out at third attempting to advance on a fielder's choice. USAO starter Morgan Bratcher then got a strikeout to end the game.
The Lady Evangels had rallied from four runs down in the nightcap with a four-run fourth inning. The inning began with three straight singles and MACU was on the board when Jackie Hilterbran singled home McCoy. Carson Osborne also had an RBI single in the inning and a run-scoring infield hit by Amanda Stevenson pulled the Lady Evangels even at 4-4.
The Drovers grabbed the lead back on an RBI single by Kayla Adams in the fifth and threatened for more with runners on first and second with no outs. But Hilterbran got a flyout to center and Hannah Neill was thrown out at home trying to advance from third when Adams went to second.
Graeber then scored the tying run in the bottom of the fifth by leading off with a single and scoring on a wild throw when McCoy reached with a bunt single.
Graeber and McCoy each had two hits in the second game for the Lady Evangels, while Chelsea Zuchnik went 3-of-4 with three RBI to pace the Drovers.
Hilterbran allowed six runs, but only three earned in seven innings. Bratcher picked up her second win of the day with four earned runs allowed over seven innings.
USAO powered their way to a 7-0 lead in the opener thanks to three home runs in the first two innings, including a three-run shot by Adams that keyed a five-run first inning. Sara Reeves and Taylor Smith also had solo homers.
After the Lady Evangels got on the board in the fourth on an RBI double by Osborne and a run-scoring single from Autumn Lawrence, the Drovers put it away on another three-run homer by Adams in the fifth.
Adams was 2-of-3 with six RBI in the first game to lead the Drovers' offensive attack. Bratcher was the winner with two runs given up in five innings.
The Lady Evangels will next begin the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament on Friday morning (May 3) against second-seeded Oklahoma City University at 11 a.m. at Hall of Fame Stadium in OKC.
