The Basics
Game 26
Oral Roberts (14-11, 6-0) vs. #8 Oklahoma (19-8, 4-5)
Dates: March 31, 6:00 PM
Location: Chapman Park (Tulsa, OK)
Live Stats: ORU Athletics
Broadcast: Midco Sports
 
TULSA, Oklahoma – The Oral Roberts baseball team is set to take on the No. 8 Oklahoma Sooners at Chapman Park Tuesday evening. The 6 p.m. first pitch features a Country Night theme. Fans are encouraged to put on their boots and hats to cheer on the Golden Eagles.
 
Fans can keep up with the action live on the Summit League Network or follow updates on X at @ORUBASE.
 
Last Time Out:
The Golden Eagles were unable to play their Summit League series at North Dakota State and are coming off a midweek loss to Air Force Wednesday evening after sweeping St. Thomas in league play. ORU opened the UST series with a 4-0 shutout before taking games two and three, 8-2 and 11-3, respectively, before falling to Air Force, 4-3, on Wednesday evening.
 
Makani Tanaka led the Golden Eagles against Air Force, recording two hits, including a solo home run in the seventh. Brenden Asher (0-1) got the start and was charged with the loss after tossing 3.0 innings, allowing two runs while walking none and striking out three.
 
Martell Davis led ORU in the series against St. Thomas, recording six hits in 11 at-bats with a double and a home run while driving in three RBI. Davis slashed .545/.545/.909 against the Tommies.
 
Also contributing extra-base hits were Wailele Kane-Yates with two home runs, Tyler Brodrick with one, and Cooper Combs with a double. Kane-Yates led the team with six RBI over the three games, including a grand slam in the series finale.
 
Easton Teel opened the series Friday, tossing 6.2 shutout innings while allowing four hits, walking none, and striking out a career-high nine. Weston Rouse picked up the win out of the bullpen, throwing 2.1 shutout innings while allowing two hits, walking one, and striking out four.
 
Inside the Series: 39-48
Tuesday marks the 88th meeting between ORU and the Sooners, as OU holds the all-time series record 48-39. The two went 1-1 last season, with both teams winning on the road.
 
In their last meeting (April 22, 2025), the Golden Eagles put up five runs to the Sooners three, led by Cooper Combs's three hits, including a double. Weston Rouse was awarded the win after 1.2 innings on the mound, striking out three while allowing no runs, hits, or walks. Michael Catalano was charged with the loss after allowing one run on three hits in 2.0 innings of work.
 
National Recognition:
Easton Teel was recently named a top 100 starting pitcher by D1 Baseball, checking in at No. 67 in the week six rankings. The right-hander currently leads the league with a 2.73 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. He ranks second in strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.29) and walks allowed per nine innings (1.91). A sophomore, Teel has started every weekend series this season.
 
Golden Eagle Defense:
ORU's defense ranks among the best not only in the league but in the nation, as the team's .983 fielding percentage sits 17th nationally. The Golden Eagles have also turned 17 double plays this season, good for third in the league.
 
Pitcher of the Week:
Sophomore Easton Teel was named the Summit League Peak Pitcher of the Week last Tuesday. The right-hander threw 6.2 scoreless innings in the Golden Eagles' series-opening 4-0 win over St. Thomas. The Choctaw, Okla., native scattered four hits and struck out a career-high nine Tommies.
 
Pitching Matchup:  
Tuesday: RHP Brenden Asher (0-1 / 3.60 ERA / 5.0 IP) vs. RHP Michael Catalano (1-2 / 7.30 ERA / 12.1 IP)
 
Scouting the Opponent:
Currently ranked 8th in the nation by D1 Baseball, Oklahoma has posted a 19-8 overall record with a 4-5 mark in SEC play.
 
The Sooners were recently swept in a three-game series at #2 Texas. OU fell 14-0 in seven innings in the series opener before coming up short in extras in games two and three, 4-3 and 5-4.
 
As a team, the Sooners rank sixth in the nation with four shutouts this season, while their 4.06 team ERA ranks 33rd nationally. Their 7.29 hits allowed per nine innings ranks 17th. The team's 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings ranks 23rd nationally.
 
Projected starter Michael Catalano has appeared in five games this season, making three starts, and thrown 12.1 innings. He has a 1-2 record, allowing 10 runs on 13 hits with five walks and 14 batters struck out, posting a 7.30 ERA.
 
OU has a .285 team batting average over 27 games, recording 240 hits with 52 doubles, eight triples, and 24 home runs. The Sooners have a .409 team on-base percentage and rank 16th nationally and second in the SEC with 73 stolen bases.
 
Dasan Harris leads the team with a .321 average, while Camden Johnson's 29 hits and 27 RBI are both team bests. Johnson's 19 stolen bases this season rank 14th nationally and is second in the SEC. Brendan Brock closely trails, tallying 14 stolen bases this season, ranking fifth in the conference. When it comes to extra-base hitting, Brock leads the team with seven doubles, a triple, and six home runs.
 
Head coach Skip Johnson has built a 287-183 career record, all in nine seasons at OU.
 
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