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Oral Roberts University

Oral Roberts Golden Eagles

Baseball

ORU Drops 4-1 Decision to No. 5 Arizona State on Saturday

TEMPE, Ariz. – The Oral Roberts University bats were quieted on Saturday night as Arizona State starter Mike Leake allowed one run and struck out 15 batters in a complete-game 4-1 victory in front of 4,201 fans at Packard Field.

Mark Serrano (9-1) also recorded an outstanding outing but suffered his first loss of the season after allowing three earned runs on eight hits in 8 1/3 innings pitched with 13 strikeouts.

The Sundevils struck first in the top of the second when Johnny Ruettiger smacked a single to centerfield to plate Kole Calhoun for the contest's first run.

ASU plated another run in the following inning as Carlos Ramirez singled through the right side to score Drew Maggi. Calhoun drew the second walk of the inning to load the bases with one out, but Serrano was able to avoid further damage.

The Downey, Calif., native went on to retire five straight before escaping another major jam in the fifth inning. With runners on second and third with no outs, Serrano took a groundball and tagged the runner out at third before inducing an inning-ending double play.

Michael Notaro (Westlake Village, Calif.) drew a leadoff walk in the home half of the fifth for the first Golden Eagle baserunner of the game. After a diving catch by Leake in foul territory on a bunt attempt, Johnny Roberts (Pryor, Okla.) drew a walk before a double play ended the threat.

The Sundevils tacked on another run in the top of the sixth inning when Jared McDonald hit a pinch-hit single up the middle to plate Riccio Torres, who reached on an error to lead off the inning. Serrano then induced another double play to end the inning.

Robert Barbosa (Dallas, Texas) broke up the no-hitter in the bottom of the sixth with a bloop single to right-centerfield, and Tyler Garewal (Bakersfield, Calif.) slapped the second consecutive base knock through the right side before a groundout and strikeout ended the inning.

ASU rounded out the scoring in the top of the ninth inning when Jason Kipnis doubled to left field to drive in Zach MacPhee. Serrano then exited the contest to a standing ovation for his efforts. The ORU senior climbed to second all-time for a single season with 132 strikeouts.

The Golden Eagles attempted to rally in the bottom of the ninth inning, as Juan Martinez (Bakersfield, Calif.) broke a streak of nine consecutive batters retired with a one-out double to left field. With two outs, Notaro blooped a single over the third basemen's head to drive in the lone run for ORU. P.J. Sequeira (Petaluma, Calif.) followed with a double down the right field line to put runners at second and third but Leake fanned the 15th batter of the night for the final out.

The Golden Eagles (32-14) face Kent State at 3:00 p.m. CT on Sunday in the elimination game.

- ORU -
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Players Mentioned

Robert Barbosa

#43 Robert Barbosa

OF
5' 10"
Junior
Juan Martinez

#5 Juan Martinez

INF
5' 10"
Senior
Michael Notaro

#31 Michael Notaro

INF
6' 3"
Senior
P.J. Sequeira

#25 P.J. Sequeira

OF
6' 3"
Junior
Mark Serrano

#8 Mark Serrano

RHP
6' 1"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Robert Barbosa

#43 Robert Barbosa

5' 10"
Junior
OF
Juan Martinez

#5 Juan Martinez

5' 10"
Senior
INF
Michael Notaro

#31 Michael Notaro

6' 3"
Senior
INF
P.J. Sequeira

#25 P.J. Sequeira

6' 3"
Junior
OF
Mark Serrano

#8 Mark Serrano

6' 1"
Senior
RHP
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