MALIBU, Calif. –- Nathan Newman limited Oral Roberts
University to four hits in eight-plus innings as No. 17 Pepperdine
(12-4) defeated the Golden Eagles, 5-3, on Friday afternoon at Eddy
D. Field Stadium.
The Golden Eagles (10-3) got runners in scoring position in three
of the first four innings but were unable to push any runs across
off Newman (3-1).
Starter
Jerry Sullivan (2-2) was solid early as the
right-hander struck out five batters in the first three innings but
ran into trouble in the fourth.
In the fourth, the Waves grabbed a 1-0 advantage when Chase
d'Arnaud tripled off the left field fence to score Matt Aidem.
dArnaud was plated for Pepperdine's second run on a sacrifice fly
by Eric Thames.
Pepperdine added to their lead in the sixth on another sacrifice
fly, this time by David Harris scoring d'Arnaud. The run was
unearned though as d'Arnaud reached base on a throwing error by
third baseman
David Genao.
Bryce Mendoca and Matt Aidem added RBI hits in the seventh off
Sullivan as Pepperdine extended their lead to 5-0.
The Golden Eagles attempted to rally in the top of the ninth. After
back-to-back hits by
Ryan Groth and Ben
Petralli, Newman was relieved by Nick Gaudi. David
Genao then belted a 2-2 pitch from Gaudi for a three-run home
run to make it a 5-3 ball game. But, Gaudi struck out the next
three ORU batters to end the game and the Golden Eagles threat.
Sullivan allowed nine hits while allowing four earned runs in seven
innings of work.
Genao went 1-for-2 with three RBI and Brendan
Duffy went 2-for-4 to lead the Golden Eagles offensive
attack.
ORU tallied five hits on the day while Pepperdine peppered the
Golden Eagles with 10 hits.
ORU and Pepperdine resume their three-game series tomorrow with the
first pitch at 3 p.m. (CDT). Live stats, audio and free video
streaming courtesy of the Pepperdine athletic department is
available at www.ORUGoldenEagles.com
--ORU--
