TULSA --
Jerry Sullivan threw a complete-game shutout and
the Golden Eagles hit three home runs as Oral Roberts University
claimed The Summit League Championship with a 9-0 victory over
Southern Utah on Saturday at J.L. Johnson Stadium
With the win, ORU claimed its 11th straight league tournament
championship and now has the third longest consecutive conference
tournament championship streak in NCAA Division I history.
The Golden Eagles won their 12th straight game and 20th
consecutive game at home to improve to 46-12 overall. ORU finished
the season 25-1 at J.L. Johnson Stadium. SUU dropped to 31-28 on
the season with the loss.
ORU scored their first run of the game in the second to claim an
early 1-0 lead. Tournament MVP Brian Van
Kirk led off with a double and was brought around to score
after a Southern Utah throwing error followed a bunt single by Ryan
Groth.
The Golden Eagles had a pair of home runs by Van Kirk and Ben
Petralli in the third inning to increase their lead to 4-0.
ORU put another three spot on the board in the fourth frame,
giving Sullivan (8-2) some more breathing room with a 7-0 lead. Adam
Younger knocked in the first run of the inning on an RBI single
then
Juan Martinez proceeded with a two-run home run
over the wall in left center.
The Golden Eagles added single runs in the sixth and eighth for a
9-0 advantage.
Sullivan continued his late-season momentum from the mound for the
Golden Eagles, limiting Southern Utah to five hits in the ball game
while tying his career-high with 12 strikeouts.
SUU's starter Kyle Melling (3-4) allowed four runs on six hits in
three innings of work while taking the loss.
Five different batters knocked in runs for ORU with Minissale,
Petralli and Martinez each knocking in two. Martinez' 2-for-3
effort extended his season long hitting streak to nine games.
ORU will host a watch party for the NCAA Selection Show on Monday,
May 26 at 11:30 a.m. The event will be on the campus of ORU at the
Grand Slam Room in the baseball offices. The public is invited to
attend.
All-Tournament Team
Brendan Duffy, Oral Roberts
David Genao, Oral Roberts
Juan Martinez, Oral Roberts
Kelly Minissale, Oral Roberts
Ben Petralli, Oral Roberts
Jerry Sullivan, Oral Roberts
Brian Van Kirk, Oral Roberts, MVP
Nick Freitas, Southern Utah
Mac Nelson, Southern Utah
Jacob Noyes, Southern Utah
Drew Laidig, Western Illinois
Todd Nelson, Western Illinois
Cole Waddell, Western Illinois
Ryan Bernsen, Centenary
--ORU--
