The Basics
Score: Oral Roberts 4 - Little Rock 3
Records: ORU (6-5) - LR (5-7)
Location: J.L. Johnson Stadium - Tulsa, Okla.

TULSA, Okla. - It was a roller coaster ninth inning at J.L. Johnson Stadium Sunday afternoon as Oral Roberts earned the walk-off win to secure the series finale against Little Rock, 4-3.

Redshirt junior Nick Rotola played hero for the Golden Eagles, who took three-of-four games from the visitors on the weekend. The outfielder picked up his second base hit of the afternoon on a double out to left center to start the ORU ninth. 

After Nick Roark was able to successfully put down a sacrifice bunt to send the go-ahead run to third, the Trojans (5-7) decided to intentionally walk Matt Whatley to set up the double play which Little Rock had turned three times in the contest.

The Golden Eagles (6-5) would then turn to their first baseman in Brent Williams who had already picked up a two-out RBI in the fifth. It didn't take long as Colorado Springs, Colorado native sent the first pitch he saw up the first base line, scoring Rotola from third. 

Oral Roberts led for nearly the whole contest before Little Rock tied the ballgame in the top of the ninth. The Trojans were able to put together three hits and a walk in the inning. After cutting the lead to 3-2 with one out, Little Rocks, Dalton Thomas singled home the tying run, but the Trojans were called for interference as Ryan Scott and the teams' third base coach got tangled up as Scott rounded third on his way home. 

Lefty Taylor Varnell got the nod on the mound for his second straight Sunday start. The Elk City, Oklahoma native went five innings on the day, giving up just one run on seven hits while striking out six Trojans. Varnell retired six straight between the second and fourth innings. 

Josh McMinn went three and a third for the home squad, giving up three hits and retiring two via strikeouts. Junior Brady Womacks improved to 1-1 on the season after picking up the win for ORU. The right-hander closed the door on the Trojans in the ninth, picking up two key outs. 

Cody McGill took the loss for the Trojans. 

The Golden Eagles scored a run each in the third, fourth and fifth innings. Noah Cummings, Whatley and Williams drove in an RBI apiece.  

Notables

• ORU now leads the all-time series with Little Rock, 12-3, after winning 3-of-4 on the weekend.
• Rotola, Whatley and Williams each had a pair of hits in the contest. 
• Whatley extended his hitting streak to a team-high 10 games. 
• Both Williams and Whatley have reached base in 11 consecutive contests. 
• Little Rock outhit ORU, 11-9. 
• The Golden Eagles and Trojans combined for 13 double plays on the weekend. 

Up Next
ORU will take on Texas Tech Tuesday in Frisco, Texas at Dr Pepper Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.

For the latest information on ORU baseball, follow @ORUBaseball on Twitter or go to www.ORUAthletics.com. Fans can also receive updates on the team by downloading the Golden Eagles Front Row App at ORUAthletics.com/frontrow or in the App Store.

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