CEDAR CITY, Utah –- Southern Utah scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh to break a 7-7 tie as the Thunderbirds defeated Oral Roberts University, 11-7, in Summit League action, Thursday at Thunderbird Park.

No. 30 ORU dropped their second consecutive game to fall to 29-10 overall and 11-2 in The Summit League while Southern Utah improved to 22-16 overall and 9-3 in league action.

The Golden Eagles came out of the gate hot by scoring three runs in the top of the first inning. Brendan Duffy was able to reach base on a fielding error by the SUU second baseman then scored on a Kelly Minissale single to left field. Ryan Groth collected an RBI double down the right field line then David Genao was able to plate Brian Van Kirk with a sacrifice fly out to right field for a 3-0 ORU advantage.

Southern Utah responded in the home side of the first frame by pushing two runs across as ORU led 3-2 after one inning.

ORU's offense continued to be a force by punching a run across in the second to extend their lead to 4-2. Minissale recorded his second RBI of the day by singling in Duffy on a perfectly executed hit-and-run.

SUU's Cameron Nelson hit a solo home run over the right field fence in the bottom of the second frame and an RBI ground out by Mac Nelson tied the game at 4-all.

Both pitchers were able to settle down the bats as starter Michael Jarman (7-2) retired seven Thunderbirds in a row.

However, Southern Utah was able to grab their first lead of the day in the bottom of the fifth. Bucky Aona reached on an Adam Younger error then proceeded to steal second. Aona was eventually plated on a single to right field by Chester Wilson.

The Thunderbirds scored two more runs in the bottom of the sixth for a 7-4 advantage.

ORU fought back though with three runs in the top of the sixth. Minissale led off the frame with a double to left center then scored when Southern Utah's centerfielder dropped a Ben Petralli fly ball. With Petralli on second after the error, Genao slugged his fifth home run of the year, knotting the score at 7-7.

Southern Utah was able to take back the lead in the home side of the seventh. With one out on the board, The Thunderbirds had four consecutive base hits – three singles and a double – to make it 9-7. SUU added a run on an RBI ground out by Jacob Romney and a Nick Freitas RBI single for an 11-7 advantage.

Southern Utah's Jacob Noyes (3-0) threw the final three innings in relief of starter Dustin Wittwer to earn the win for the Thunderbirds.

In all, Southern Utah out-hit ORU, 16-8. Minissale went 3-for-4 with two RBI while Genao finished with a 1-for-4 performance and three RBI to lead the ORU offense.

ORU and SUU resume their four-game series with a twin bill tomorrow starting at 1 p.m. central time.

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