Oral Roberts pulled away in the late innings, defeating South Dakota State, 9-2, in the decisive game of a three-game Summit League baseball series Sunday afternoon at Erv Huether Field.
The league-leading Golden Eagles won for the ninth time in 10 games to improve to 20-10 overall and 10-2 in league play. The Jackrabbits dropped to 15-13 overall, 6-6 in The Summit League.
As it did throughout the series, ORU struck quickly with a run in the top of the first inning. Leadoff hitter Matt Whatley singled, stole second, advanced to third on a base hit by Matt Brandy and scored on a sacrifice fly by Anthony Sequeira.
The Golden Eagles added an unearned run in the fourth inning before distancing themselves further in the seventh inning on a two-run single by Derrian James off Jackrabbit starter Ryan Froom to push the margin to 4-0.
SDSU, meanwhile, was stymied offensively through the first eight innings. ORU starter Kurt Giller pitched four shutout innings before exiting with an apparent injury while warming up to start the fifth. Jacob McDavid followed with 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief to earn the win.
When the Jackrabbits did get baserunners, the ORU defense rose to the forefront by turning four double plays.
ORU put the game away with a five-run ninth inning that included a two-run homer by James, who ended the afternoon 3-for-5 with four runs batted in. Brandy led the Golden Eagles’ 17-hit attack by going 4-for-5.
The Jackrabbits finally broke into the scoring column in the bottom of the ninth as Al Robbins, who delivered the game-winning hit on Saturday, sliced a ball inside the left-field foul pole for a two-run home run. Robbins, Cody Sharrow and Eric Danforth each tallied two of SDSU’s nine hits.
Froom took the loss despite pitching well over his seven-inning outing. The sophomore right-hander allowed 11 hits, walked two and struck out five.
The Jackrabbits are scheduled to play Tuesday at the University of North Dakota, before returning home to face Winnipeg on Wednesday afternoon at Erv Huether Field.
