TULSA –
Kelly Minissale delivered the game-winning single
and Ben Petralli belted a three-run home run for
added insurance as ORU rallied from a 9-8 deficit in the eighth to
defeat BYU, 13-9, Thursday afternoon at J.L. Johnson Stadium.
After the Cougars (12-13) grabbed a 9-8 lead with five runs in the
top half of the eighth, the Golden Eagles (14-6) were able to fight
back with five runs in the home side of eighth.
David Genao started the rally for the Golden
Eagles in eighth with a game-tying solo home run. After consecutive
walks by Juan Martinez and Brendan
Duffy, Minissale plated Martinez for the go-ahead run on a
single down the left field line. Petralli then delivered the knock
out punch with a towering three-run home run over the center field
fence. The home runs were both Petralli's and Genao's second this
season.
In the sea saw game, the Cougars trailed 8-4 going into the top of
the eighth after the Golden Eagles scored eight unanswered runs.
BYU did not back down though as the Cougars pushed across five runs
in the inning, led by Jonathan Cluff's three-run double to left
center.
The Cougars grabbed an early lead with a pair of home runs in the
first two innings off Jerry Sullivan. BYU's Sean McNaughton
slugged a two-run shot in the first inning then J.T. Musso powered
his first home run of the season for the Cougars in the second as
BYU led 4-0 early.
The Golden Eagles started to chip away at the lead by scoring
single runs in the third and fifth innings. ORU grabbed their first
lead of the day in the sixth on a three-run pitch-hit home run by
Michael Notaro. The home run was Notaro's first
of the season.
Ryan Groth slugged a two-run home run in the
sixth as ORU led 8-4.
Sullivan tied a career and season-high by striking out 12 batters
while only walking one in 6.1 innings of work. The double-digit
strike out effort for Sullivan was his second of the season and his
career.
Notaro and Petralli finished with three RBI each to lead the Golden
Eagles offense while Minissale went 3-for-5 with three runs scored
and two RBI. Genao, Duffy and Brian Van
Kirk also recorded multi-hit performances.
In
all, the Golden Eagles had their biggest offensive output all
season with a season-high six home runs.
Jameson Dunn (1-0) earned his first collegiate
win by throwing an inning of scoreless relief.
ORU and BYU resume their three-game series on Friday with a 7 p.m.
start time at J.L. Johnson Stadium.
--ORU--
