TULSA-Oral Roberts committed five errors and allowed six unearned runs in suffering a 10-5 setback to Missouri State, Friday at J.L. Johnson Stadium.

The Golden Eagles (8-8) lost despite holding an early 3-0 lead. ORU loaded the bases in the bottom of the first and scored the game's initial run when Cam Schiller was plunked by Bears starter Nick Petree (2-0) to give ORU a 1-0 lead.

ORU's advantage grew to 3-0 with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third. With runners on second and third and none out, Brandon King hit a chopper to first baseman Brent Seifert, who misplayed the ball into a 2-run error.

But the lead didn't last long. Seifert hit a one-out solo home run in the top of the fourth, and the Bears took advantage of three errors to score five runs in the fifth inning. Starting pitcher Alex Gonzlaez, third baseman T.J. Bennett and right fielder Nick Baligod were all charged with errors, leading to five unearned runs, and Seifert hit his second home run to give Missouri State a 6-3 lead.

ORU cut the lead to 6-4 in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI double by Chris Elder, but ORU's defense again faltered in the top of the sixth.

Following a lead-off single by Travis McComack, Gonzlaez mishandled Derek Mattea's sacrifice bunt for an error, putting runners at first and second with none out. Keene Maddox next bunted back to the mound, but Gonzalez's throw to third was late, loading the bases with none out.

Another bunt, this one by Aaron Conway, eluded Gonzalez for a run-scoring single and a 7-4 lead. With the bases still loaded, Spiker Helms knocked in the second run of the inning with a sacrifice bunt as Missouri State went up 8-4.

The Bears made it 10-4 in the seventh. Mattea banged an RBI single and a second run scored on a double play as Missouri State all but put the game away.

ORU scored a run in the ninth when Joey Winiecki scored on a wild pitch in the ninth.

Gonzalez suffered the loss for ORU, allowing eight runs (two earned) on nine hits and two walks. He struck out four batters.

Petree picked up the win after tossing seven solid innings. He allowed four runs on six hits with six strikeouts.

ORU managed nine hits, with Winiecki, Nick Baligod, Chris Elder and Bennett getting two each. Seifert finished 3-for-5 with three RBI to lead Missouri State.

The teams resume their three-game series at 2 p.m., Saturday in Springfield, Mo.

--ORU--