FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. –- David
Genao delivered the game-winning RBI and Oral Roberts
University pounded out 14 hits as the Golden Eagles defeated
Arkansas, 9-4, in non-conference action on Tuesday night at Baum
Stadium.
With the win, the Golden Eagles won their fifth straight game and
improved to 21-7 on the year. Arkansas fell to 17-14 on the year
and has lost two in a row.
Jameson Dunn earned the win with three innings of
scoreless relief to improve to 2-0 on the year.
The Golden Eagles got on the scoreboard first by plating a run in
the top of the second to claim an early 1-0 lead over Arkansas. Brian
Van Kirk continued to swing a hot bat with a double to the gap
in left center. Van Kirk advanced to third on a Pat
Murray single then was plated on a sacrifice fly by Genao.
The Razorbacks pushed across two runs in the home side of the
second as UA led 2-1. Brett Eibner led off the inning with a solo
shot over the left center fence to tie the game at 1-all.
ORU was able to tie the game in the top of the fourth at 2-2. Van
Kirk led off the inning by reaching base on a walk then later
advanced to third base on two wild pitches by Sam Murphy (0-2). Kyle
Price knocked in Van Kirk on an infield single to the
shortstop.
The Golden Eagles reclaimed the lead in the top of the fifth by
scoring three runs for a 5-2 advantage. Brendan
Duffy led off the inning with a double down the right field
line then
Kelly Minissale drew a walk from Murphy as ORU
had runners at first and second with no outs. Ben
Petralli laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners then
Brian Van Kirk was intentionally walked to load
the bases.
Ryan Groth knocked in the first run on a
sacrifice fly then Murray and Genao each added RBI hits.
ORU produced another three-run inning for an 8-2 lead. Petralli
knocked in the first run of the inning with a double off the wall
in left center with two outs in the sixth to score Duffy all the
way from first. Van Kirk then tagged reliever with a two-run home
run down the right field line. The home run was Van Kirk's
team-leading seventh this season.
The Razorbacks rallied in the seventh by trimming ORU's lead to
8-3. Reliever
Michael Jarman ran into a jam by allowing
Arkansas to load the bases with only one out. Jarman forced Logan
Forsythe to hit a sacrifice fly to the warning track then Jarman
struck out Eigner swinging to end the Razorback threat.
Petralli plated ORU's ninth run after a throwing error by
Arkansas's shortstop on a fielder's choice by Groth.
Stephen Barnes started the game but lasted just
two innings, allowing three hits and two runs – one earned
– while striking out three.
ORU returns to Summit League play this weekend, traveling to
Shreveport, La. for a four-game series with Centenary. First pitch
on Friday is set for 6 p.m.
--ORU--
