ORU silences Southeast

Southeast Missourian ~ A strong Oral Roberts baseball team from Tulsa, Okla., used a two-run homer and stout pitching to slip past Southeast Missouri State 3-1 Saturday afternoon in the opener of a three-game weekend series at Capaha Field.

The squads were scheduled to play single games Friday, Saturday and today but Friday's inclement weather forced a change in plans.

The series will conclude today with a noon doubleheader as Southeast wraps up a nine-game homestand.

ORU, which has earned 15 straight NCAA regional berths, evened its record at 4-4. The Redhawks fell to 6-4, having lost four of five following a 5-0 start.

The Golden Eagles scored all the runs they would need in the top of the fourth inning as Tyler Boss belted a two-out, two-run homer to left-center field for a 2-0 lead.

ORU made it 3-0 in the sixth inning on an RBI single by Jose Trevino. There was a rare snow delay of about 10 minutes in the top of the six on the cold day

Southeast got its lone run in the sixth inning but could have had more. Junior center fielder Cole Bieser led off with a single and moved to third on junior left fielder Derek Gibson's double.

After a strikeout, junior first baseman Matt Tellor's RBI ground out plated Bieser. A ground out stranded Gibson at third.

The Redhawks had other solid chances, including in the first inning when the first two batters reached.

"We didn't capitalize in the first inning. I think that was the difference in the game," first-year Southeast interim coach Steve Bieser said.

Southeast also missed out on opportunities that featured a runner on third with one out in the fourth inning and runners on second and third with two outs in the fifth inning.

ORU ace Alex Gonzalez (1-2), who entered the game winless despite an 1.20 earned-run average in 15 innings, continued his impressive work. The junior allowed one run and six hits over seven innings. He struck out nine and walked none although he hit a batter.

"He's a solid pitcher. You've got to give him credit," Bieser said.

Nathan Garza notched a save by finishing up with two perfect innings. He struck out four.

Southeast's pitching was also solid.

Sophomore left-hander Will Spitzfaden (1-1) started and took the loss. He allowed three runs and six hits in six innings, with one strikeout and two walks.

"Will was outstanding," Bieser said.

Four Southeast relievers combined to shut out ORU over the final three innings.

Junior Hank Williams Jr. worked 2/3 of an inning. He is unscored upon in 6 2/3 innings spanning three appearances.

Junior left-hander Skylar Cobb, a Scott City High School graduate, struck out the only batter he faced. He has allowed just one run in eight innings spanning a team-high six appearances.

True freshman Alex Siddle and senior Tony Zerrusen each pitched one inning. Siddle has not given up a run in 3 1/3 innings spanning four appearances.

ORU outhit Southeast 9-6. Boss, Matt Brandy and Kevin Cho all had two hits for the visitors. Bieser paced the Redhawks with two hits.