Courtesy: ORU Media Relations Van Kirk slugged his first home run of the season in Wednesday's win.
TULSA –- Oral Roberts’ baseball team scored a season-high 12 runs en route to defeat No. 9 Baylor, 12-2, sweeping the Bears in the two-game mid-week series, Wednesday afternoon at J.L. Johnson Stadium.
Unlike last night where the Golden Eagles (10-2) had to rally from a six-run deficit, ORU scored six runs in the second inning and never looked back in defeating BU (11-3) for the second straight outing.
Stephen Barnes (1-0), making his first start in a Golden Eagle uniform, scattered three hits in three innings to earn the win.
After both teams went scoreless in the first inning, ORU jumped on Baylor starter Wade Mackey (2-1), scoring six runs. After Ben Petralli and David Genao singled to begin the inning, Adam Younger advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt. Michael Notaro then delivered a two-run double to left center to score Petralli and Genao. Brendan Duffy was able to bring Notaro on a single through the left side of the infield. Designated hitter Brian Van Kirk then hit a towering shot over the left center fence for a three-run home run and a 6-0 ORU lead.
It was Van Kirk’s first home run this season and ORU’s first homer on their home surface.
The Golden Eagles stretched their lead to 8-0 in their next at-bat as Petralli and Genao again started the inning with consecutive singles. Just like the third inning, Notaro brought the two home on a single up the middle.
ORU was not done scoring though, as the Golden Eagles punched in three more runs in the fourth frame for a 11-0 lead. Petralli, Genao and Juan Martinez all recorded RBI hits in the inning.
The Bears were able to get on the scoreboard with a two-run seventh, making it an 11-2 ball game.
Brendan Duffy scored on a wild pitch by Baylor’s Aaron Miller in the bottom of the seventh as ORU stretched their lead to 10, 12-2.
Notaro finished with four RBI to lead the Golden Eagles while Van Kirk went 1-3 with three RBI and two runs scored.
Nine different Golden Eagles recorded a hit while five ORU players had multi-hit performances.
ORU used a season-high eight pitchers in the victory, while Baylor used six hurlers.
With the win, the Golden Eagles improved to 3-0 on the year against ranked teams and 7-0 against squads that made it to regionals in 2007.
ORU returns to action this weekend with a trip out West to battle Pepperdine in a three-game series. First pitch on Friday is at 5 p.m. (CDT). Live stats and audio streaming will be available on www.ORUGoldenEagles.com. Free video streaming of the games will be available on www.pepperdinesports.com.
Courtesy: ORU Media Relations
