Over the last several years, one of the best and most consistent teams in the Sooner Athletic Conference as been the Drovers of Science and Arts.
Last year, MidAmerica Christian University took steps to get closer to USAO to become one of the best teams in the SAC.
On Friday, these two teams will open SAC play in 2024 against each other in a three game series in Oklahoma City at MACU’s field.
What they’ve done so far in 2024
It’s safe to say that both teams have had some high moments and some low moments in 2024.
USAO comes into the series sitting at 10-5 on the season.
They opened the season winning 5 of their first 6 games with three of them against McPherson who had received votes in the preseason NAIA poll.
The Drovers then lost their next 3 games although it was against tough teams. In the Cajun Collision, USAO lost to Bryan College (RV) and #4 LSU Shreveport. Then the Drovers lost to #15 Bellevue in the first game of their 3 game series.
However, USAO beat that same Bellevue team in games 2 & 3 to win their series before winning 3 of 4 against Kansas Christian College in Kansas City. It should be noted the 1 game KCC won against USAO was their only win so far in the season.
For MACU they come in at 9-5.
Their season has seen them have what is arguably the best 2 wins in Oklahoma so far this year. They’ve beaten two top 10 teams in LSU Shreveport and Missouri Baptist.
The Evangels split a double header with LSU Shreveport to open the season before losing 3 of 4 games at Houston-Victoria in the 2nd weekend.
At the Cajun Collision, MACU beat Georgetown (KY) and the aforementioned Missouri Baptist.
MACU followed up those big wins by winning their next 5 games culminating with a run rule over Friends who came into the game at 10-3.
That streak came to an end this week with a home loss to (RV) Tabor.
Looking at how the rest of the league has done in the non conference, it’s safe to say the winner of this series could get a step ahead in the league race.
What have they done at the plate?
For USAO, the offense has been potent so far this season. They have scored 130 runs in 15 games (8.67/game) and come into the weekend slashing .322/.426/.498 (.924 OPS) with 9 HRs on the season.
Player notes:
- Gage Ninness leads the team in AVG at .368
- Peyton McDowall leads the team in HRs with 3 (Christopher Martinez has 2)
- Ian Ortiz leads the team with 16 RBI
- Six other Drovers have at least double digit RBIs (Ben Lawson, 13; Martinez, 13; McDowall, 12; Ben Bach, 10; Gabriel Arroyo, 10; Gunnar Hansen, 10)
- Ryan Rodriguez leads the team with 4 stolen bases in only 9 games played (Ninness and Arroyo have 3)
On the MACU side, they’ve scored 111 runs in 14 games (7.93/game) and are slashing .318/.406/.508 (.914 OPS) with 14 HRs as a team. The also have 25 stolen bases on the season (35 attempts)
Player notes:
- Kyle Williams leads the team with an AVG of .477
- Williams along with 4 others lead the team with 2 HR each (D’Andre Gaines, Noel McGarry-Doyle, Anthony Hampton, Carlos Medina)
- Williams (15), McGarry-Doyle (14), Gaines (13) lead the team in RBI.
- Gaines leads the team in stolen bases (4)
What have they done on the mound?
The Drovers come into the game with a team ERA of 5.19. The have struck out 94 batters against 34 walks. USAO has also hit 14 batters.
Brian Ereu is the ace of the staff. He has 5 starts in 5 appearances (4-0). In 23.2 innings pitched Ereu has an ERA of 4.18 with 24 Ks against 8 walks.
Kyler Denton has an ERA of 4.24. He has 3 starts in 4 appearances (2-0) for the Drovers. In 17.0 IP, Denton has 9 Ks vs 2 BB.
Ryan Cullinane has been the go to out of the bullpen. He has 5 appearances and an ERA of 3.24 in 16.2 IP. His K/BB is 18/2.
MACU has been excellent on the mound. They come into the series with at team ERA of 3.30. The Evangels have struck out 107 hitters against 33 walks. They’ve hit 22 batters.
Isaac Baez has been the workhorse for the the Evangels. He has 4 starts in 4 appearances and an ERA 2.70 in 20 IP. Baez has 28 Ks against 8 BB.
Devan Quesada has been good for the Evangels as well. He also has 4 starts in 4 appearances with an ERA of 3.94 in 16 IP. His K/BB is 15/7.
Zane Robeaux has seen the most appearances for MACU with 5 (1 start). He has an ERA of 2.38 in 11.1 IP with 9 Ks and 2 BB.
What? Where? When?
MACU vs USAO
- Fri: 1:00 p.m.
- Sat: 12:00 p.m.
- Sat: 2:30 p.m
MACU Baseball Field
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