TULSA –- Oral Roberts University scored two runs in the bottom
of the eighth to rally past No. 9 Baylor, 7-6, Tuesday night at
J.L. Johnson Stadium.
With the Golden Eagles (9-2) trailing the Bears (11-2), 6-5, in the
bottom of the eighth, ORU had a clutch two-out single by
pinch-hitter
Michael Notaro allowing David
Genao to advance to third. Justin
Mitchell then came in as a pinch-runner for Notaro and reached
second on a wild pitch by Baylor's Craig Fritsch.
Fritsch (1-1) then proceeded to walk Juan
Martinez, but Fritsch's wild pitch allowed Genao to score from
third for the tying run. A throwing error by the catcher Gregg
Glime on the same play brought in Mitchell for the eventual
game-winning run.
Carlos Luna (3-0) was credited with the winning
decision after relieving
Jerry Sullivan in the eighth. Luna got the
last two outs in the eighth after Baylor reclaimed the lead with a
run off Sullivan.
The Golden Eagles trailed the Bears 5-0 entering the bottom of the
sixth, but the home team trimmed the lead to 5-2 on RBI singles by
Ryan Groth and Ben
Petralli.
ORU continued to rally in their next at-bat by eventually tying
the game at 5-all. Genao began the seventh with a single followed
by a double by pinch-hitter Johnny
Roberts. Martinez then doubled in the gap in right center to
score Genao and Roberts.
Kelly Minissale plated Genao on a groundout
to the second baseman as ORU tied the game at 5-5.
Baylor gained an early advantage in their first at-bat off ORU
starter
Andre Lamontagne. Lamontagne walked Ben Booker to
start the game then threw wide of first on a pick-off move,
allowing Booker to advance to third. Booker was plated on a Adam
Hornung sacrifice fly.
Baylor scored three more runs in the top of the third extending
their lead to 4-0.
Nine different Golden Eagles recorded a hit while Martinez went
1-for-2 with two RBI and a run scored.
ORU and Baylor will square off again on Wednesday at J.L. Johnson
Stadium with the first pitch slated to start at 3 p.m.
--ORU--
