The Basics
South Alabama Invitational
Score: Oral Roberts 3 – South Alabama 1
Records: ORU (1-1), South Alabama (1-1)
Location: Mobile, Ala. (Stanky Field)
Win: Evan Kowalski (1-0) | Loss: Matt Boswell (0-1)  | Save: Cade Denton (1)
 
MOBILE, Ala. – Dustin Demeter drove in all three runs and the Oral Roberts baseball team picked up their first win of the 2022 season Saturday night, defeating South Alabama, 3-1, on day two of the South Alabama Invitational in Mobile, Alabama.
 
Evan Kowalski pitched three scoreless innings in relief to earn the win, allowing only one hit. Cade Denton picked up the save, allowing one run, unearned, and striking out three over 1.2 innings.
 
Demeter opened the scoring with a two-run blast to right field in the fourth that scored Jake McMurray, who led off the frame with a single.
 
Back-to-back singles to open the eighth by Brody Gibson and Mac McCroskey put the Golden Eagles in prime position to tack on an insurance run. Demeter did just that as the redshirt senior reached on a fielder's choice, bringing home Gibson to extend the lead to 3-0.
 
South Alabama got a run back in the bottom half of the inning on a McMurray error but Denton escaped anymore trouble by striking out Reid Powers looking to end the threat.
 
The Jaguars put two on in the ninth to bring the winning run to the plate but Denton forced a pop up to Jackson Loftin at short to end the game.


Inside the Box Score
- Starter Ledgend Smith struck out four over four scoreless innings of work in his Golden Eagle debut.
- ORU's staff allowed no earned runs on the night, while striking out eight Jaguars.
- McMurray extended his hitting streak to 19 games dating back to last season.
- The junior also drew a game-best two walks in the win, pushing his season total to five through two games.
- Five different Golden Eagles registered a hit in the win.

Notes
- ORU's win evens the all-time series against the Jaguars, 5-5.
- The Golden Eagles have now won three straight road openers and are 23-31 all-time.
- Head Coach Ryan Folmar improved to 5-5 in road openers.

Up Next
The Golden Eagles wrap up the South Alabama Invitational Sunday morning as they matchup against Radford University. First pitch is set for 11 a.m. and can be heard live on the ORU Sports Network.

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