Courtesy of Wichita State Athletics
WICHITA, Kan. — Oral Roberts scored six times in the top of the second, including a grand slam from Alex Rodgers, and never looked back on the way to an 8-3 win over Wichita State on Wednesday night at Eck Stadium.
With the game scoreless into the top of the second, the Golden Eagles (13-23-1) put a runner at second with one out against WSU starter Caleb Anderson (1-2). Six straight batters reached from that point on, including a David Herring RBI single and the Rodgers grand slam that made it 5-0. Drew Stahl smacked an RBI double later in the inning to make it 6-0.
The Shockers (21-17) chipped away with single runs in the second and third innings, getting on the board via a Seth Stroh RBI ground out and adding a second run when Camden Johnson raced home from second on a bad throw by ORU catcher Garrett Casey.
6-2 is as close as the Shockers would get, as the Golden Eagles tacked on two more runs in the sixth when Martell Davis tripled past a diving Stroh in right field and Rodgers doubled him home.
A Mauricio Millan ground out delivered the final run of the evening for Wichita State in the sixth.
The Shocker bullpen pitched well after the early barrage, holding Oral Roberts to two runs over the final 7.2 innings. Freshman Drew Iverson was the standout, delivering a season-high three scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Mason Munz, Jeremiah Arnett and Peyton Walters each contributed scoreless appearances, as well.
Braydon Sanford (2-3) earned the win for ORU, allowing one unearned run over 1.1 innings in relief. Six Golden Eagles pitchers held Wichita State to just four hits on the night.
Wichita State hits the road for another American Athletic Conference series against East Carolina. First pitch of Friday's series opener is scheduled for 5:00 pm CT.