Baseball 3/31/2009 12:00:00 AM

Ninth-Inning Balk Lifts No. 9 Texas Over ORU, 5-4

AUSTIN, Texas – Ninth-ranked Texas scored the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning on a balk after the Oral Roberts University baseball team scored four runs in the top of the inning to tie the contest. The Golden Eagles fell to 8-8 with the loss, while the Longhorns improved to 18-7 overall.

Heading into the top of the ninth inning down 4-0, Robert Barbosa (Dallas, Texas) led off with a walk, and Colby Price (Brenham, Texas) followed with a single to right field. Danny Duffy (Glendale, Ariz.) loaded the bases one batter later with an infield single to the pitcher.

Tyler Garewal (Bakersfield, Calif.) drove in his seventh run of the season with a sacrifice fly to left field, while Juan Martinez (Bakersfield, Calif.) followed with a double to left center field to push ORU within two runs.

Seth Furmanek (Gilbert, Ariz.) hit another sacrifice fly to center field to score Duffy, and Michael Notaro (Westlake Village, Calif.) drove a two-out single to left field to tie the contest at 4-4.

After the first two batters were retired in the bottom of the ninth, Brandon Loy drew a walk. Loy then stole second, and advanced to third on a wild pitch while issuing an intentional walk. Loy scored the winning run after Jameson Dunn (1-3) balked on a move to first.

The Longhorns scored four runs in the home half of the seventh inning to break a scoreless tie. Tant Shepherd led off with a single and advanced to second on a bunt. Kevin Keyes and Kyle Lusson both walked to load the bases with one out.

Travis Tucker followed with his third single of the game to break the scoreless tie. The next batter was hit by a pitch to score a run, and Michael Torres hit a sacrifice fly to center field to put the Longhorns up 3-0. Texas scored the fourth run of the inning on a wild pitch.

ORU had several opportunities to score, with the biggest coming in the top of the second inning as bases were loaded with no outs. The Golden Eagles had a runner on third in two other innings but couldn't get the runner home.

Mark Serrano (Bakersfield, Calif.) was dominant on the mound once again, giving up two hits and no runs in five innings with six strikeouts. Serrano had retired eight straight batters before ending his day.

Five Longhorn pitchers limited the Golden Eagles to no runs, while Austin Wood (4-0) allowed the ninth inning rally but still picked up the victory.

The Golden Eagles return to J.L. Johnson Stadium this weekend after 10 consecutive road games to host Summit League member IPFW in a four-game series.

- ORU -

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Players Mentioned

#2 Danny Duffy: INF; 5' 11"; Junior

#9 Seth Furmanek: C; 6' 2"; Junior

#21 Tyler Garewal: OF; 6' 0"; Junior

#5 Juan Martinez: INF; 5' 10"; Senior

#8 Mark Serrano: RHP; 6' 1"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#2 Danny Duffy
: 5' 11"; Junior
: INF

#9 Seth Furmanek
: 6' 2"; Junior
: C

#21 Tyler Garewal
: 6' 0"; Junior
: OF

#5 Juan Martinez
: 5' 10"; Senior
: INF

#8 Mark Serrano
: 6' 1"; Senior
: RHP