CHICKASHA, OK: The 18th ranked Texas Wesleyan University Baseball team (13-5, 7-1 SAC) split a Sooner Athletic Conference doubleheader at No. 10 University of Science & Arts (16-2, 4-1 SAC) on Friday.
The Drovers powered to an 8-0 win in game one with home runs from Wyatt Hull, Kenniel Rivera, and Miguel Lorenzo. USAO put a pair of runs on the board in the first inning and another in the second, then broke the game open with a four-spot in the fourth inning.
Stephen Yancey (4-2) took the loss after surrendering seven runs, five earned, on seven hits in 3.2 innings. Francis Ventura (3-0) tossed a complete game two-hit shutout for the Drovers.
The Texas Wesleyan offense got going in game two.
Donnie Lopez sparked the offense with a leadoff home run and went 3-for-4 on the day at the top of the order.
Jacob Barfield homered out of the second spot in the order, while
Kiki Menendez batted third and went 2-for-4 with a home run.
The Rams trailed 2-1 after the first inning, but scored three runs on five singles in the second. Menendez led off the fifth with a home run, and Barfield added a two-run shot in the sixth. Two more runs in the seventh capped off the 9-3 win.
For the game, the Rams outhit the Drovers 13-6.
Brad Sugg (4-0) got the start and the win after allowing three runs on five hits in 5.2 innings. Jose Hidalgo (3-1) was tagged with the loss after allowing five runs on 10 hits in five innings pitched.
The two teams will complete their three-game series on Saturday. The finale is set for a 12:00 p.m. first pitch.
Ramblings
- The Rams lead the all-time series with USAO 11-10. They are 72-32 all-time in Sooner Athletic Conference play.
