April 20, 2024

Summer Leitka (Seminole) Pitched another Shutout to make it 20 Complete Games and 12 Shutouts on the Season

CHICKASHA– In a doubleheader that was supposed to be played at Mid-America Christian (22-16, 10-12), the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (34-7, 17-3) shut out the Evangels in both games to win all four against the Evangels this season.

In game one, the Drovers used two steals of home plate to grab the 2-0 victory in the top of the second for their third win in a row.

With two outs, Shania Beck and Kayla Adams went on a double steal with Adams stopping on her way to second to cause the Evangels to throw home. In a close play, Beck slid face first to make it a 1-0 advantage for USAO.

McKenna Eubank then singled Adams over to third before getting another successful double steal attempt, this time having Adams beat the tag to take the 2-0 lead.

Summer Leitka notched her 19th complete game and 11th shutout of the year in order to get win No. 22, she gave up five hits and struck out nine batters.

The second game made it four wins in a row as USAO took the 3-0 victory to seal the season sweep of the Evangels.

Beck after reaching base on her lone hit of the game, which was a double to center, scored the game-winner when Adams reached on a bad throw from the Evangels catcher to give two bases to both players.

Kaylin Taylor, who finished 2-for-3 in game two, hit another Drover double with two outs and scored on a Dani Warren single to give USAO a 2-0 advantage.

Taylor laid down a bunt on the left side of the field, but hit it hard enough to pass the fielders, who were charging the ball on the bunt, which scored Eubank to give the Drovers the final 3-0 advantage.

Leitka pitched another complete game shutout to make it an even 20 complete games and 12 shutouts to grab win No. 23. She gave up three hits while striking out five.

Currently, Leitka has 241 strikeouts and is 14 away from tying the single season school record of 255 set by Dana Askins in 2005. On the year she is third in the NAIA on wins and fourth in the ERA and strikeouts category to lead the Drovers.

The Drovers are scheduled to finish the season on the road in four doubleheaders, the first taking place at SAGU on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.

A day later, USAO will finish their Texas trip by taking on Texas Wesleyan with first pitch set to take place at 11 a.m.