Box Score | Season Stats

The Basics
Score: Merrimack 1 – Oral Roberts 4
Records: MC (2-2, 0-0 NEC) – ORU (2-2, 0-0 SL)
Location: Tulsa, Okla. (J.L. Johnson Stadium)

TULSA, Okla. – Hunter Swift tossed eight innings allowing just one run as the Oral Roberts baseball team closed the weekend series with a 4-1 win against Merrimack Sunday afternoon at J.L. Johnson Stadium.

Adam Oviedo lifted a three-run home run in the bottom of the first providing an offensive spark early in the action that allowed Swift to settle in with a lead earning a series split with the visitors from North Andover, Massachusetts.

After a lead-off single by the Warriors in the first inning, Swift forced a double play on the next pitch and went on to retire the next six batters.

The defensive momentum turned into instant offense in the bottom half of the first as Ryan Cash laced a single to right center opening the frame. Caleb Denny followed by drawing a walk and both runners moved into scoring position on a double steal. Merrimack nearly got out of the inning until Oviedo stepped to the plate and hammered a three-run home run to left with two outs putting ORU in front, 3-0.

The Golden Eagles extended their lead to 4-0 in the third started by Denny's lead-off double to the base of the wall in right. The redshirt freshman took third on a long fly by Jordan Wiley and he came home on a RBI single off the bat of Blake Hall.

Merrimack broke the shutout in the next half inning getting runners on the corners with no outs hitting back-to-back singles to begin the frame. Swift was called for a balk allowing the Warrior runner to score making it a 4-1 margin for ORU.

The next four-plus innings belonged to the Kansas City, Missouri, native as Swift put down the final 15 batters he faced. He handed the ball off to Kaleb McCullough for the ninth inning and the Warriors were able to get the tying run to the plate in the final frame. A single and double off the reliever put two into scoring position, but the junior retired the next three opponents to seal the home win, 4-1.

Turning Point

With two outs in the bottom of the first inning, Oviedo put the Golden Eagles on the board sending a no-doubt, three-run blast to left.

Quote of the Day

"I thought Swift was very efficient. He was able to get quick outs and that's why he could hang around for eight innings. I thought he was sharp all afternoon." – Head Coach Ryan Folmar

Inside the Box Score

- Swift (1-0) was in complete command for the contest limiting the Warriors to just four hits across seven innings. The senior struck out six and did not issue a walk, while the only run against came on a balk call in the fourth.

- Oviedo belted his first home run of the season in the first inning staking ORU to a 3-0 advantage.

- Hall finished the day 1-for-3 at the plate registering a RBI, while Cash and Denny had the remaining hits for ORU.

- McCullough picked up his second save in as many victories for the Golden Eagles in a scoreless ninth inning striking out one.

Up Next

ORU hits the road next weekend for a three-game set against the Bears of Baylor. The action starts Friday night at 6:30 p.m. with coverage on ESPN+.

For the latest information on ORU Baseball, follow the Golden Eagles on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or go to www.ORUAthletics.com. Fans can also receive updates on the team by downloading two mobile apps, ORU Golden Eagles Live and ORU Front Row, available on the App Store and Google Play.

#GoldenStandard