The USAO baseball team (16-8, 7-2 SAC) recorded its most dominant win of the 2025 season after they beat the Randall University Saints (RU) (1-15, 1-7 ACCA) 24-1 in their matchup Tuesday, March 11. The Drovers were able to get the run-rule victory in their only game of the day.
The first inning saw USAO go straight to work as they got three outs without the Saints scoring any runs. Once the Drovers began to bat, RU did not answer the unstoppable offense. As senior Gage Ninness, senior Peyton McDowell, and junior Corey Morro got on base, junior Christopher Martinez hit a single that ended up earning him three RBIs as the Saint’s left fielder committed an error. The Drovers had an entourage of scoring after this as they put up eight more runs and ended the first inning 11-0.
At the start of the second inning, senior Kyler Denton recorded another two strikeouts and kept RU off the board. The bats for USAO continued to fire on all cylinders as senior Jaden Wiley had an RBI after hitting a double that set up senior Ian Ortiz to run across home plate. Senior Boone Lasater also had an RBI as he hit a single to left field that left enough time for Wiley to score. Another impressive play came from senior Nolan Herchock as his triple to right field gave junior Duncan Key and Lasater enough time to make it home. McDowell was able to get No. Herchock across home as well with a single to left field. After the second inning, USAO was in the lead 16-0.
Once the third inning arrived, the Drovers made a switch to Naton Herchock for pitching. This proved to be a savvy move as Na. Herchock struck out three batters during his time on the mound. USAO hit a roadblock in this inning though, as no one was able to make it to first base.
The fourth inning saw much of the same as USAO had another pitcher change and the defense didn’t allow any scores from the Saints. The offense got back on track as well, with Lasater leading the charge. He was able to hit a home run and helped the Drovers keep their staggering lead of 17-0.
Senior Jakob Brandenberg took the pitcher’s mound for USAO entering the fifth inning and showed his skill as he struck out all three of RU’s batters. The Drovers batting squad continued their productivity as junior Dawson Robbins scored on a double from Lasater. Shortly after, No. Herchock hit a home run that took Lasater and himself across the diamond. These runs kept USAO’s foot on the gas pedal as they were winning 20-0.
The Drovers were unable to shut out the Saints entirely as they finally showed a sign of life offensively. USAO walked two of RU’s batters and that set them up to have one of their runners make it across home plate. After seeing their opponent score, the Drovers enforced their high-power offense once again. Junior Ricky Requejo scored after a double from Wiley gave him enough time to make it home. A ground out from Robbins was just enough for junior Josh Maysonave to run across home plate. Lasater was able to record another RBI as a single to left field and saw Wiley score again. Finally, a single to right field from Morro was able to get Laister across home once again. After six innings of action, USAO led 24-1.
Senior JD Prather came in the seventh inning to pitch, and he closed out the game, earning two strikeouts in the process. The mercy rule finally came to end this one-sided affair 24-1 in USAO’s favor.
USAO’s pitching squad saw a lot of players get some action with six in total taking the field. Denton saw the most playing time with two innings and had three strikeouts. Na. Herchock and Brandenberg also had three strikeouts and only played in one inning each.
The Drovers had no trouble using the bats against RU, with 25 hits in the entire game. McDowell and Lasater tied for the most hits per player with four a piece. Lasater did have the most runs for USAO though as he also had four. Martinez recorded the most RBIs with five and had the most batting opportunities with six.
The Drovers will be back in action Thursday, March 13 as they will play away against Oklahoma City University in a three-game series.
Gary Jackson is a fourth-year communication major at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
