TULSA – Kelly Minissale delivered the game-winning single and Ben Petralli belted a three-run home run for added insurance as ORU rallied from a 9-8 deficit in the eighth to defeat BYU, 13-9, Thursday afternoon at J.L. Johnson Stadium.

After the Cougars (12-13) grabbed a 9-8 lead with five runs in the top half of the eighth, the Golden Eagles (14-6) were able to fight back with five runs in the home side of eighth.

David Genao started the rally for the Golden Eagles in eighth with a game-tying solo home run. After consecutive walks by Juan Martinez and Brendan Duffy, Minissale plated Martinez for the go-ahead run on a single down the left field line. Petralli then delivered the knock out punch with a towering three-run home run over the center field fence. The home runs were both Petralli’s and Genao’s second this season.

In the sea saw game, the Cougars trailed 8-4 going into the top of the eighth after the Golden Eagles scored eight unanswered runs. BYU did not back down though as the Cougars pushed across five runs in the inning, led by Jonathan Cluff’s three-run double to left center.

The Cougars grabbed an early lead with a pair of home runs in the first two innings off Jerry Sullivan. BYU’s Sean McNaughton slugged a two-run shot in the first inning then J.T. Musso powered his first home run of the season for the Cougars in the second as BYU led 4-0 early.

The Golden Eagles started to chip away at the lead by scoring single runs in the third and fifth innings. ORU grabbed their first lead of the day in the sixth on a three-run pitch-hit home run by Michael Notaro. The home run was Notaro’s first of the season.

Ryan Groth slugged a two-run home run in the sixth as ORU led 8-4.

Sullivan tied a career and season-high by striking out 12 batters while only walking one in 6.1 innings of work. The double-digit strike out effort for Sullivan was his second of the season and his career.

Notaro and Petralli finished with three RBI each to lead the Golden Eagles offense while Minissale went 3-for-5 with three runs scored and two RBI. Genao, Duffy and Brian Van Kirk also recorded multi-hit performances.

In all, the Golden Eagles had their biggest offensive output all season with a season-high six home runs.

Jameson Dunn (1-0) earned his first collegiate win by throwing an inning of scoreless relief.

ORU and BYU resume their three-game series on Friday with a 7 p.m. start time at J.L. Johnson Stadium.

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