Hot Start Leads ORU Past Wichita State

<p>Three players tallied a trio of hits as the Oral Roberts baseball team picked up its first victory of the season in a 6-4 win over Wichita State.</p>

Wednesday, February 24th 2016, 8:50 pm

By: News On 6

Three players tallied a trio of hits as the Oral Roberts baseball team picked up its first victory of the season in a 6-4 win over Wichita State Wednesday afternoon at J.L. Johnson Stadium.

The Shockers (2-2) kept things interesting in the ninth as they loaded the bases with a leadoff hit-by-pitch followed by consecutive walks. Wichita State would score one run in the inning, though, on a walk that forced a runner to the plate.

Junior Brady Womacks entered with the bases loaded in the ninth and picked up the save for the Golden Eagles.

Leading the way for ORU (1-2) was senior first baseman Rolando Martinez. Martinez finished the day 3-for-3 with his first career home run in the second to push ORU ahead, 3-1. Prior to Wednesday, the Bakersfield, California native was hitless in two games this season.

Nick Roark continued to build on his early success this season, pounding WSU for three hits. Nick Rotola also picked up three hits on the day.

In total, 10 pitchers were used by ORU. Transfer Billy Lovvorn picked up the win with a quality two and a third innings on the mound. The Fort Smith, Arkansas native faced eight batters in his stint on the mound, not allowing a hit while striking out two.

Holden Cammack entered in the eighth and retired the side for the Shockers with three straight strikeouts.

Tyler Gibson was charged with the loss, dropping the junior to 0-1 on the season. The right-hander gave up three runs, including a two-run homer in the second.

Inside the Box Score

Each team stranded 11 batters on base in the game.

The Golden Eagles tallied 11 strikeouts on the day. Freshman Josh McMinn and Cammack accounted for three apiece.

ORU scored in each of the first four innings of play.

Michael Hungate and Nick Roark continued their streaks, each picking up a base hit on the day.

ORU struck for 13 hits on the day while holding Wichita State to three.

Up Next

ORU will head to Dallas this weekend for a three-game series against Dallas Baptist. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday.