TULSA, Okla. – The University of Evansville baseball team jumped out to an early 5-0 lead on Sunday, and then held off a hard-charging #26 Oral Roberts squad for a 7-6 victory at J.L. Johnson Stadium in Tulsa, Oklahoma to win the season-opening series on the road.
“I knew that we were going to learn a lot about our ballclub today, and for us to come out and put up four on the board and chase their starter in the first inning was exciting to see,†said Wes Carroll, who was coaching in his 800th career game as head coach of the Purple Aces on Sunday. “That also allowed freshman Kevin Reed to just settle in on the mound, and what he gave us over five strong innings was enormous.
“I am really proud of the effort that our guys gave today, and we are definitely excited to get back home mid-week and play in front of our fans.â€
Evansville wasted no time in grabbing a lead it would never lose on Sunday, as the Purple Aces sent nine men to the plate in the first inning to take a 4-0 lead. Senior Kip Fougerousse started the rally with an RBI single, before senior shortstop Simon Scherry and junior designated hitter Evan Waggoner followed with back-to-back RBI doubles to plate all four runs in the frame.
UE would add a fifth run in the second inning on a run-scoring double-play ground ball to grab a 5-0 lead. Oral Roberts would respond with two unearned runs in the second inning, and a solo home run in the third inning, before UE freshman left-hander Kevin Reed would silence the ORU bats. Reed (1-0) earned the victory in his first collegiate start, scattering three runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks, while striking out one.
UE would push the lead back to three runs in the top of the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly by graduate third baseman Brent Widder. Then, Fougerousse launched a long solo home run in the top of the seventh inning for insurance to move the lead to 7-3. The insurance would be needed, as Oral Roberts answered back with three runs of its own in the bottom half of the inning, before fifth-year senior closer Jakob Meyer came on to get out of the jam. Meyer then worked perfect eighth and ninth innings to close the door and earn the seven-out save.
Fougerousse led Evansville offensively by going 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBI. Waggoner also delivered a two-run double, and six different Purple Aces came through with base hits.
With the victory, Evansville earned the season-opening series victory and improved to 2-1. Oral Roberts, who was ranked #26 in the NCBWA preseason poll and was receiving votes in the USA Today/Coaches preseason poll as well, finished the series 1-2. Evansville will now return home to host Bellarmine on Tuesday afternoon at 3 p.m.
