TULSA�€"Chad Rothford went 4-for-5
with four RBI, helping Oral Roberts University snap a seven-game
losing streak with a 13-1 victory over Texas-Arlington, Tuesday at
J.L. Johnson Stadium.
Rothford was one of
five Golden Eagles (11-11) with at least two hits as ORU enjoyed
its best offensive performance since a 13-6 win at then-No. 12
Tulane on March 11. The junior first baseman homered, doubled and
added a pair of singles.
Despite the lopsided
contest, Texas-Arlington opened the scoring. Kyle Rudy's RBI single
in the fourth gave the Mavericks (11-16) a 1-0 lead.
ORU was held off the
board until the fifth inning. Jake Kahaulelio and Andy Bouchie each
laced RBI singles and Pat Warfle was plunked with
the bases loaded to drive in another run for a 3-1 lead. Rothford
followed Warfle with a two-run single for a 5-1 lead.
The runs kept coming in
the bottom of the sixth. After walk to Brendan Duffy and
Kahaulelio, Bouchie belted a 3-run home run, his fourth of the
season, for an 8-1 advantage.
Rothford hit a one-out
solo home run in the top of the seventh. Carter McQuigg and Brian Aguailar
followed with singles, and Duffy drove in McQuigg with another
single for a 10-1 lead. Kelly Minissale followed
Duffy with an RBI single of his own as ORU pushed the lead to
11-1.
An RBI double Rothford
and a sacrifice fly by McQuigg in the eighth capped the scoring for
the Golden Eagles.
In addition to
Rothford's strong day at the plate, Duffy, Minissale, Kahaulelio
and Bouchie each had two hits. Bouchie had four RBI and scored
three times.
Chance Chapman (1-1) picked
up the win, tossing 3.1 innings of shutout relief. Taylor McIntyre started for
the Golden Eagles, allowing one run on four hits in 3.2 innings
while striking out five batters and walking three.
Ryan Martin (0-1)
suffered the loss for UTA, allowing five runs on four hits in his
one inning of relief work.
The Golden Eagles
return to action when they open a three-game home series against
Bethune-Cookman,
7 p.m., Friday at J.L. Johnson Stadium.
--ORU--
