Courtesy: ORU Media Relations Juan Martinez had a clutch two-run double in the 7-6 win over Baylor
TULSA –- Oral Roberts University scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth to rally past No. 9 Baylor, 7-6, Tuesday night at J.L. Johnson Stadium.
With the Golden Eagles (9-2) trailing the Bears (11-2), 6-5, in the bottom of the eighth, ORU had a clutch two-out single by pinch-hitter Michael Notaro allowing David Genao to advance to third. Justin Mitchell then came in as a pinch-runner for Notaro and reached second on a wild pitch by Baylor’s Craig Fritsch.
Fritsch (1-1) then proceeded to walk Juan Martinez, but Fritsch’s wild pitch allowed Genao to score from third for the tying run. A throwing error by the catcher Gregg Glime on the same play brought in Mitchell for the eventual game-winning run.
Carlos Luna (3-0) was credited with the winning decision after relieving Jerry Sullivan in the eighth. Luna got the last two outs in the eighth after Baylor reclaimed the lead with a run off Sullivan.
The Golden Eagles trailed the Bears 5-0 entering the bottom of the sixth, but the home team trimmed the lead to 5-2 on RBI singles by Ryan Groth and Ben Petralli.
ORU continued to rally in their next at-bat by eventually tying the game at 5-all. Genao began the seventh with a single followed by a double by pinch-hitter Johnny Roberts. Martinez then doubled in the gap in right center to score Genao and Roberts. Kelly Minissale plated Genao on a groundout to the second baseman as ORU tied the game at 5-5.
Baylor gained an early advantage in their first at-bat off ORU starter Andre Lamontagne. Lamontagne walked Ben Booker to start the game then threw wide of first on a pick-off move, allowing Booker to advance to third. Booker was plated on a Adam Hornung sacrifice fly.
Baylor scored three more runs in the top of the third extending their lead to 4-0.
Nine different Golden Eagles recorded a hit while Martinez went 1-for-2 with two RBI and a run scored.
ORU and Baylor will square off again on Wednesday at J.L. Johnson Stadium with the first pitch slated to start at 3 p.m.
Courtesy: ORU Media Relations
