by CHICKASHA – With 16 runs in 12 innings, the Drovers had no trouble handling the Mid-America Christian Lady Evangels, a team that was receiving votes in last week’s NAIA Top 25, on Tuesday afternoon at Bill Smith Ballpark.
The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (21-4, 4-0), now ranked No. 21 in the country, shut out the Evangels (13-6-1, 1-2-1) while winning 8-0 after six innings due to the run-rule in both games.
In game one, Summer Leitka (14-1) led the Drovers in the circle by throwing her 12th complete game and sixth shutout of the year. Leitka struck out nine batters on her way to a one-hit game. Only two batters made it on base all game — once on a hit and once on a Drover error.
Courtney Capps hit her second bomb of the season in a two-RBI homer that went straight down center field.
Sevie Carel went 2-for-3 in the game, scoring once and batting two runners in. Lead-off hitter Kaylin Taylor went 1-for-3 with two RBIs.
Ciara Kuestersteffen went 1-for-2 in the game while scoring twice and batting in another run. Tate Landmark, Hannah Neill, Kayla Adams and Mikeala Bray each scored as well.
In the second game, the Drovers scored in four of the six innings to put the game away. Landmark, who also pitched two innings, went 3-for-4 at the plate, crossing home three times and batting two runners in.
Shania Beck also went 3-for-4 and recorded three RBIs for a total of 24 on the season, which leads the team by six.
Taylor and McKenna Eubank each had two hits on three at bats. Eubank scored once while Taylor crossed the plate two times.
Kuestersteffen and Capps each scored once in the second game and Adams and Dani Warren earned RBIs.
Leitka pitched the first two innings, throwing three strikeouts without giving up a hit. Landmark (4-1) was the pitcher of record, throwing two strikeouts in her two innings in the circle. Finally, Jaci Booker took the final two innings for the Drovers to close out the game.
The Drovers next game will be next Tuesday on the road at Southwestern Christian. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 2 p.m.
