The Basics
Oral Roberts – 18,
St. Thomas 14
ORU (28-17, 17-3) –
UST (9-32, 6-13)
Location: Koch Diamond (St. Paul, MN)
Win: Connor Johnson (2-2),
Loss: Owen Marsolek (4-3),
Save: Maddox Thornton (4)
TULSA, Oklahoma – The Oral Roberts baseball team secured a series sweep over St. Thomas with an 18-14 win in St. Paul Saturday afternoon.
The win came in part from three Golden Eagles home runs, as
Ethan Fender,
Wailele Kane-Yates, and
Makani Tanaka each recorded a two-run shot.
Oral Roberts struck first, putting up four runs in the second.
Matthew Mainord opened the scoring with a two-run double to drive in
Martell Davis and
Ethan Fender.
Will Edmunson followed with a double into right-center to score Mainord, and Tanaka added a single into left to drive in Edmunson.
The Tommies responded with four runs in the bottom of the frame, first scoring on a two-RBI single, then adding two more as a batter reached on an error.
ORU regained the advantage in the third as Fender hit the Golden Eagles' first home run of the afternoon, scoring himself and Davis, who had singled.
UST answered with a home run of its own, a solo shot to right to make it a one-run game.
Tanaka was the first Golden Eagle on base in the fourth, hitting a triple to right-center. Kane-Yates followed with ORU's second home run to make it 8-5.
ORU scored seven runs over the fifth and sixth innings, beginning with a sacrifice fly by
Hudson Ellis to drive in Fender, who was hit by a pitch and advanced to third as
Cooper Kelly and Mainord drew walks. Both runners later scored on a triple by Edmunson.
The Golden Eagles continued in the sixth, starting with a double down the left field line by Mainord to score Fender and Davis. Edmunson followed with a sacrifice fly, allowing Kelly to score after reaching on an error and advancing to third on Mainord's double. Tanaka capped the inning with an RBI single to score Mainord.
St. Thomas added four runs across the fifth and sixth innings, scoring on a double and a triple in the fifth and a two-run home run in the sixth. The Tommies brought the game within one with five runs in the seventh, scoring on two doubles and a home run.
ORU regained a four-run advantage in the eighth, beginning with an RBI single by Ellis through the left side to score Kelly, who had singled and moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt.
Tanaka recorded the final hit of the day with his 10th home run of the season, driving in himself and Ellis.
Reliever Connor Johnson (2-2) earned the win after 2.2 innings of work, striking out three batters.
Maddox Thornton (S, 4) picked up the save after entering in the eighth, allowing just one hit over 2.0 innings.
UST starter Owen Marsolek was charged with the loss after allowing 10 runs in 4.0 innings.
Up Next
The Golden Eagles will look to complete the series sweep Sunday, May 3 at 1 p.m.
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