SHREVEPORT, La. -- Centenary was able to hold off Oral Roberts
University's late rally to avoid the four-game sweep with a 9-7 win
over the Golden Eagles, Sunday at Shehee Stadium.
With the win, Centenary improves to 18-13 overall and 1-7 in The
Summit League while ORU drops to 24-8 overall and 7-1 in league
play. The loss snapped a 22-game winning streak against league
opponents dating back to last season.
The Golden Eagles jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the
second inning.
David Genao led off the inning with a single to
right center.
Pat Murray followed by laying down a sacrifice
bunt to advance Genao to second, then Genao reached third on a wild
pitch by Johnny Noland.
Ryan Groth then drove in Genao with a deep
sacrifice fly to center. ORU proceeded to load the bases with two
outs, but could not push any more runs across the board as Noland
got Centenary out of the jam.
Centenary rallied to take the lead in their next at-bat by posting
two runs on the board for a 2-1 lead. Tim Deering and Garrett
DeRooy had RBI base hits for the Gents in the inning.
The Gents produced another three runs in the home side of the third
for a 5-1 lead. ORU starter Jameson
Dunn (2-1) allowed the first two runners to reach base and then
Teddy Seanz - who led off with a walk - scored on passed ball for
CC's first run of the frame. Dunn was relieved by Ben
Grover with runners on the corners and no outs. Grover
proceeded to walk Deering to bring in a run and hit DeRooy to make
it a 5-1 game.
Brett Carroll came in relief of Grover and was
able to get the Golden Eagles out of trouble.
Centenary tabbed another run in the fourth, extending the Gents
lead to 6-1.
ORU put together a rally in the top of the fifth to trim
Centenary's lead to 6-4.
Brian Van Kirk led off with a single up the
middle followed by a Genao walk and a Pat
Murray single to load the bases for the Golden Eagles. Groth
then delivered his second RBI of the game with a single to the gap
in left center.
Adam Younger added an RBI sacrifice fly to score
Genao and Murray was plated on a throwing error by Centenary's
second baseman.
However, Centenary was able to extend their lead back to five with
a three-run fifth for a 9-5 advantage.
The Golden Eagles were able to load the bases in the sixth with no
outs, but could only push across a run on a sacrifice fly by Genao
to make it a 9-5 game.
ORU continued to chip away in the top of the seventh by scoring a
run with two outs in the seventh. Juan
Martinez reached on an error by CC's right fielder, advancing
all the way to third.
Brendan Duffy extended his hitting streak
to 16 games with an RBI single up the middle to score Martinez.
The Golden Eagles tacked on one more run in the top of the eighth,
making it a 9-7 ball game. ORU had a golden opportunity to break
through with the bases loaded with one out, but CC's Boone Whiting
only allowed an RBI single by Genao.
Despite only having nine hits, Centenary took advantage of 10 walks
and two batters who reached safely on a hit-by-pitch.
The Golden Eagles out-hit Centenary with 14 hits but left 13
runners stranded, including nine in scoring position.
Dunn lasted just 2-plus innings, allowing five runs - four earned -
while walking four and allowing four hits in the losing effort.
Chris LaLonde went two innings of relief to earn the win and
improve to 2-0 for the Gents.
Petralli went 3-for-5 with a run scored while Van Kirk and Groth
knocked in two runs each for the Golden Eagles.
ORU returns to action on Tuesday, hosting regional rival Arkansas
in non-conference action on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at J.L. Johnson
Stadium.
--ORU--
