ORU Uses Seven-Run Inning to Beat North Dakota

Originally Published: Mar 26, 2010 10:57 PM CDT

Andrew Topps
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Oral Roberts used a seven-run eighth inning to earn a 12-4 win over North Dakota Friday.

The Bison scored two runs in the top of the eighth to make the game a one-run contest.

ORU responded in the eighth by loading the the bases with two outs. Robert Barbosa’s bases-clearing double broke the game wide open as ORU sent 12 batters to the plate in the inning. Tyler Saladino, P.J. Sequeira and Justin Mitchell each drove in runs as well.

Spencer Roberts set down the Fighting Sioux (1-10) in order in the ninth to close the game.

Nick Baligod drove in Bennett Pickar with an infield single in the third inning to put ORU (8-10) on top 1-0. The Golden Eagles stretched their lead to 3-0 with a pair of runs in the fourth.

ORU extended its lead to 5-2 on the strength of a Chris Elder two-run double in the bottom of the sixth, but North Dakota scored two more in the top of the seventh to make it a 5-4 contest.

Drew Bowen earned the victory by throwing 5 2/3 innings.

The Golden Eagles and Fighting Sioux continue their three-game series at 2 p.m., Saturday.