Box Score

TULSA, Okla.- No. 8 Wichita State (24-7) fell in a non-conference match-up to Oral Roberts (15-12) on Tuesday night in Tulsa, Okla.

 

Wichita State took advantage of a four pitch walk to Andy Dirks that led off the ball game. Derek Schermerhorn lined a shot into centerfield. Damon Sublett followed with a hit through the right side to plate Dirks and Schermerhorn would come around to score on an error by the right fielder.

 

It was a short outing for Shocker starter Tyson Fugett. After the freshman sat down ORU in order in the first, Fugett ran into trouble in the second as the Golden Eagles scored three. Back-to-back hits to the left side sparked the offense, and a sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position. David Genao hit a grounder to third that crossed one and Conor Gillaspie bobbled the ball, allowing the batter to reach safely. A single by Adam Younger loaded the bases and signaled the end for Fugett, a native of Bartlesville, Okla.

 

Senior Jared Simon took over on the mound and Brian Van Kirk was thrown out at home on a fielder's choice. However, the Golden Eagles would capitalize, on a double to right field from Brendan Duffy, taking the lead, 3-2.

 

A double to the left-center field gap from Schermerhorn put the Shockers back up, 4-3. Back-to-back singles from Dusty Coleman and Dirks had runners aboard for the senior's hit.

 

The lead changed hands once more as ORU had another three-run inning in the bottom half. Consecutive singles began the inning but a fielder's choice and strikeout gave the Shockers two outs. The Golden Eagles would not go quietly as Kelly Minissale fired a line drive into center field for an RBI single. Jake Kahaulelio soared one over the left fielder's head for a standup double that gave ORU a 6-4 lead they would not relinquish.

 

Oral Roberts added one more in the fifth as reliever Anthony Capra gave up his first homerun of the year, a solo shot to right field by Brian Van Kirk.

 

After giving up the lead in the fourth, the Shockers didn't manage another hit until the eighth inning. Gillaspie singled and stole second but would be stranded at third as the Shockers went down in order after that.

 

The Shockers again threatened in their last chance, the top of the ninth. Coleman got on board with a hit-by-pitch, but consecutive fly balls gave ORU two outs. Sublett extended the game and put runners on the corners by ripping a pitch to right field for a base hit. Matt Brown, representing the tying run, was frozen on a third strike to complete play, the Shockers downed by Oral Roberts, 7-4.

 

Sublett led the Shockers, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and two walks. Schermerhorn also had two hits, a run and two RBI.

 

Simon (0-2) suffered the loss in two innings of work, allowing two earned runs on four hits with two strikeouts. Fugett went 1.1 innings with three runs, but only one earned. Capra allowed two earned runs on four hits in 2.2 innings with four strikeouts. Khol Nanney and Max Hutson each threw a scoreless inning, giving up one hit and one walk each.

 

Wichita State is back in action at home this weekend for a three-game conference series against Creighton. Friday's game starts at 7 p.m. Friday is Family Day and fans can get 4 tickets, 4 hotdogs, 4 drinks and 4 popcorns for only $28. Saturday's first pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. and Sunday's game is at 1 p.m.

 

-Wichita State-