ORU Coasts to Second Straight Easy Win

Originally Published: Mar 13, 2010 5:46 PM CDT

Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

TULSA, Oklahoma – Western Michigan began the game with two runs in the top of the first inning but did not score again, and Oral Roberts coasted to a 9-2 victory Saturday.

The Broncos (2-10) started quickly, with Kyle Gabraith connecting on a lead-off home run to start the game. Jamie Simpson added an RBI single later in the inning, but WMU did not drive in another run for the rest of the day.

ORU (4-6) scored once in the bottom of the first and continued to trail until the fourth inning. But the Golden Eagles erupted for seven runs in a three-inning span to break the game open.

Bennett Pickar drove in two runs with a single in the fourth to give ORU its first lead, and Colby Price hit a three-run home run in the fifth to cap a four-run inning and give the Eagles a 7-2 lead. They added a run in the sixth and eighth innings to seal the win, their second straight over the Broncos.

Starting pitcher Drew Bowen (1-1) recovered from his rough start to give up two earned runs in six innings of work and earn his first win of the season. He gave up eight hits in the game while striking out seven.

The Eagles and Broncos will finish their three-game series at noon Sunday.