Oral Roberts Pulls off Comeback to Drop Wichita State

The Golden Eagles fell behind twice, but managed to top the Shockers in the mid-week matchup.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:23 pm

By: News On 6

Oral Roberts Pulls off Comeback to Drop Wichita State

Originally Published: May 10, 2011 11:2 PM CDT

Gerald Goodridge
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

WICHITA, Kansas -- Oral Roberts pulled off not one, but two comebacks Tuesday to top the Wichita State Shockers 8-7, the last of a four-game road trip for the Golden Eagles.

The Shockers (30-23) jumped out to a sizeable lead in the bottom of the second, thanks to a three-run home run from Preston Springer to bring Chris O’Brien and Kevin Hall home. A sacrifice fly from Hall in the bottom of the third brought Micah Green home from third to push the lead to 4-0.

However, ORU (26-18) erased that deficit quickly in the top of the fourth.

With two outs on the board, Nick Baligod knocked a solo home run to cut the lead to three runs. Three at-bats later with two on, Chris Elder went yard as well – this one to right center – to tie the game.

The Shockers responded immediately in the next half-inning when Don Lambert reached on a fielder’s choice, allowing Springer to score from third to retake a 5-4 lead advantage. Two innings later, ORU threw an intentional walk to load the bases, but Springer singled back to second base, allowing two to score and take a 7-4 advantage.

ORU managed to put runners on second and third in the top of the ninth for Joey Winiecki, who singled back up the middle to bring Spencer Barnett home to cut the deficit to 7-5. Brandon King followed with a single through the right side to bring Baligod home and close the gap to one run.

Chris Elder capped of the scoring with a two-run single to left field to bring Winiecki and King home to give the Golden Eagles an 8-7 lead.

Despite pitching just one-third of an inning, Cale Elam (2-1) was credited with a loss, giving up four hits and three earned runs. Joe Spring (3-1) made it through one full inning, giving up just one hit.

Oral Roberts will return home and to conference play at 6:30 p.m. Friday, to start a four-game series against South Dakota State.