Box Score

WICHITA, Kan. ? No. 10 Wichita State (30-9) fell to Oral Roberts (17-14) in a non-conference game Tuesday night at Eck Stadium. The Golden Eagles continue to stun the Shockers, as ORU has now won eight of the last 12 games against WSU. Wichita State fell short, 4-7, earlier this year in Tulsa, Okla.

 

Oral Roberts went three up, three down in both the second and fourth innings, but managed to squeeze across two runs in the third. Brendan Duffy drew a one-out walk and Kelly Minissale swung at the first pitch for an infield single. The runners then advanced on a double steal and Duffy scored on a ground ball from Jake Kahaulelio. First baseman and clean-up hitter Chad Rothford took one deep to the left-center field gap for an RBI double before Brian Van Kirk grounded out to second to end the inning.

 

A homerun by Pat Warfle, that also scored Van Kirk, gave the Golden Eagles a four-run advantage in the top of the ninth.

 

Shocker starter Max Hutson (0-1) went a season-high five innings, allowing two earned runs on three hits and two walks, while striking out four. Kyle Touchatt threw a solid three innings of relief, giving up just one hit that was erased on a double play. The senior allowed only one other base runner and struck out four of the 10 batters faced. Matt Smith came in for the ninth and allowed two earned runs on two hits, but struck out two.

 

The hits were few and far between for the Shockers. Conor Gillaspie singled in his first at bat during the second inning to extend his hitting streak to 14 games. Matt Brown managed a single up the middle in the fourth, but was cleared trying to steal second. With two outs in the fifth, Tyler Weber and Andy Dirks strung together singles and Tyler Hill hit a shot toward first base, but ORU's Rothford speared the line drive to end the only threat of the night. The Shockers would only reach base once after the fifth, compliment of a hit-by-pitch.

 

Oral Roberts' pitcher Jerry Sullivan threw the complete game shut out, scattering the four hits and walking nobody while striking out six.

 

The Shockers have another home game tomorrow night, before taking to the road for a weekend conference series. Wichita State takes on Kansas at 7 p.m. Wednesday night at Eck Stadium.

 

-Wichita State-