The Basics
Score: Oral Roberts 6 – Missouri State 5
Records: ORU (2-2), Missouri State (2-2)
Location: Tulsa, Okla. (J.L. Johnson Stadium)
Win: Evan Kowalski (2-0) | Loss: Trey Ziegenbein (0-1) 
 
TULSA, Okla. – Behind a walk-off single from Mac McCroskey, the Oral Roberts baseball team defeated Missouri State, 6-5, in their home opener Tuesday afternoon at J.L. Johnson Stadium.

With the score tied, 5-5, in the ninth, back-to-back singles by pinch-hitter Justin Quinn and Joshua Cox put runners on the corners for McCroskey. The junior came through for the Golden Eagles, lacing a single down the right field line to plate Quinn for the winning run.

Evan Kowalski (2-0) picked up the victory in relief for ORU, tossing a scoreless inning with two strikeouts.

Missouri State struck first with a two-run home run in the top of the second inning off the bat of Dakota Kotowski. The Golden Eagles got a run back in the bottom half of the frame, courtesy of an Isaac Coffey infield RBI single that brought home Holden Breeze to make it 2-1.

The Bears extended their lead, 3-1, on a sacrifice fly in the fourth. 

ORU tied the game, 3-3, in the fifth courtesy of a Cox RBI groundout followed by a McCroskey sacrifice fly. Missouri State responded in the top of the sixth with a bases-loaded walk to retake the lead, 4-3.

McCroskey put ORU in front for the first time on the afternoon, 5-4, with a two-RBI single to right in the seventh, scoring Dylan Wipperman and AJ Archambo.

The Bears answered in the eighth with a solo shot off the bat of Drake Baldwin to even the score, 5-5. Missouri State loaded the bases later in the frame but Kowalski caught Mason Hull looking to end the threat.

Inside the Box Score
- McCroskey's walk-off hit was the first by a Golden Eagle since Blake Hall did it last season against Western Illinois on May 7.
- The Springdale, Arkansas, native went 2-for-4 on the day and drove in four of the six Golden Eagle runs.
- Cox registered three hits on the day, while Jackson Loftin and Archambo joined McCroskey with two.
- Eight different pitchers entered the game for the Golden Eagles on the afternoon with only Brett Gregory pitching more than two innings (2.1).
- Andrew Roach got the start for ORU tossing a scoreless inning and registering a strikeout.
- Cade Denton was strong in relief once again for the Golden Eagles as the sophomore threw 1.2 scoreless innings with two strikeouts.

Notes
- This was the 61st meeting all-time between the Golden Eagles and Bears.
- With the win, ORU is now 33-28 all-time against Missouri State and 21-14 at J.L. Johnson Stadium. 
- The victory snapped a three-game losing streak against the Bears for the Golden Eagles.
- Head Coach Ryan Folmar is now 7-9 against Missouri State in his career.
- The two sides will meet again later this season in Springfield, Missouri, for another midweek on Tuesday, April 12.

Up Next
The Golden Eagles continue their eight-game homestand at J.L. Johnson Stadium Friday, February 25, when they host Saint Louis at 3 p.m.

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 the ORU Athletics app from the App Store or Google Play Store.