The Basics
Score: Oral Roberts 9 – Tarleton 6
Records: ORU (10-7), Tarleton (11-6)
Location: Stephenville, Texas (TSU Baseball Complex)
Win: Cade Denton (1-0) | Loss: Grant Garza (0-1)
 
STEPHENVILLE, Texas – Behind a three-run ninth inning, the Oral Roberts baseball team rallied to defeat Tarleton, 9-6, in midweek action on Tuesday in Stephenville, Texas.

Jonah Cox registered his team-leading 10th multi-hit performance of the season as the junior went 3-for-5 at the plate to go along with four RBIs. The Thornton, Colorado, native also scored a game-high tying three runs on the day. Matt Hogan put together a strong performance at the dish as the senior went 3-for-4 to go along with three RBIs and his team-leading sixth homer of the season.

On the mound, Cade Denton picked up his first win of the 2023 campaign after throwing 1.2 scoreless frames out of the bullpen. In relief, Caleb Isaacs tossed 3.2 scoreless innings and struck out three.

The Golden Eagles jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first behind an RBI triple from Cox followed by a sacrifice fly from Hogan. In the bottom half of the frame, the Texans evened the score with a two-run homer to left. 

Tarleton took its first lead, 6-2, of the afternoon in the fourth courtesy of a four-run frame. 

ORU responded in the fifth as a two-run double off the bat of Cox trimmed the deficit to 6-4. The junior later came around to score on a Holden Breeze double down the right-field line as the Golden Eagles drew within one, 6-5.

In the seventh, ORU tied the game with a solo blast off the bat of Hogan. 

After a scoreless eighth, the Golden Eagles broke the tie in the ninth as three runs came across to score. Cox plated the winning run in McCroskey on an RBI single through the left side. A batter later, Cox came across to score on a Hogan RBI single through the right side. Drew Stahl capped the scoring with an RBI double down the left field line as ORU took a 9-6 advantage. 

In the bottom half of the ninth, Denton worked around a single to finish off the Golden Eagle win.

Inside the Box Score
- ORU registered 12 hits on the afternoon.
- McCroskey and Garrett Casey joined Cox and Hogan with multi-hit performances.
- McCroskey matched Cox with a game-best three runs scored.
- Cox registered his ninth and 10th extra-base hits of the season.
- On the day, ORU swiped three bases.
- As a staff, the Golden Eagles struck out five.
- Evan Kowalski earned his first start of the season and went 3.2 innings.

Notes
- Tuesday's meeting marked the second this season and all-time between the two clubs.
- With the win, ORU swept the season series against the Texans.
- The victory snapped a three-game skid for the Golden Eagles.
- Cox logged his team-leading 10th multi-hit performance of the season.
- Denton has now won his last five decisions.
- Hogan's home run was his team-leading sixth of the season.
- The senior's multi-hit performance was his sixth of the year. 

Up Next
The Golden Eagles conclude their six-game road trip at Abilene Christian tomorrow at noon.

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.

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