Golden Eagles Fall at Missouri State

Bears had a huge third inning leading to 6-5 victory against ORU.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:18 pm

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Mar 27, 2011 9:14 PM CDT

Oklahoma Sports Staff

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A huge third inning helped the Missouri State Bears out to an unyielding lead in a 6-5 victory against the Golden Eagles on Sunday.

The game was supposed to be part of a doubleheader after Saturday’s game between the teams was postponed. But the re-scheduled game was canceled.

ORU actually led 1-0 early when Joey Winiecki singled to score Cam Schiller in the top of the third.

But the bottom of the third was a different story.

The Bears rocked starting ORU pitcher Bryce Smolen for five runs in the bottom of the third on a two-run homer and a three-RBI double.

The Golden Eagles (8-9) managed a run each in the fourth and fifth innings to scratch back to within 5-3.

After the Bears (13-9) added one more run in the bottom of the seventh, ORU managed to piece together one more rally in the next inning.

Nick Baligod picked up his second run of the day, scoring on a double. And Chris Elder grounded to first to bring in another ORU runner to cut the score to 6-5.

But with the bases loaded and the go-ahead runner in scoring position, T.J. Bennett ended up striking out, leaving the Golden Eagles down.

Oral Roberts stranded 13 runners in the game, including leaving the bases loaded in the sixth and eighth.

Smolen was credited with the loss for ORU and Grant Gordon picked up the win for the Bears.

ORU will return to action when they visit Texas at 6 p.m. on Tuesday in Austin, Texas.