Golden Eagles Win Pitcher's Duel to Take Series Opener, 1-0

Friday, April 29

Tulsa, Okla.

7:30 PM

Purdue Fort Wayne

11-24, 6-7

Oral Roberts

20-16, 9-4

IPFW

Oral Roberts

Nick Opitz gave up just one run on six hits vs. Oral Roberts

Golden Eagles Win Pitcher's Duel to Take Series Opener, 1-0

4/29/2011 9:59:09 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Box Score

Tulsa, OK - Outstanding pitching performances were the highlight of the opener of a four-game Summit League series between IPFW and Oral Roberts at J.L. Johnson Stadium on Friday night in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Unfortunately for the Mastodons, senior Nick Opitz complete game went for naught as the 'Dons dropped a 1-0 decision to the Golden Eagles.

Oral Roberts' Drew Bowen and Matt Rush combined for a six-hit shut out as the Golden Eagles moved to 20-16 and 9-4 in league play.

The only run of the contest was scored in the 4th inning on text-book baseball. Designated hitter Brandon King led off the frame with a single to right field. Third baseman T.J. Bennett moved King to second with a sacrifice bunt, and first baseman Brett Sowers brought him home with and RBI single down the left field line.

Optiz (3-6) allowed just the one run on six hits over 8.0 innings. He struck out two and didn't issue a free pass.

Bowen (2-2) allowed five Mastodon hits while striking out nine and walking two. Matt Rush came on in the 8th inning and tossed 1.2 innings, giving up just a hit for his seventh save of the season.

IPFW third baseman Kristian Gayday was the only player in the ball game with multiple hits with two singles. IPFW stranded six in the game, while ORU left five on the base pads.

With the loss, IPFW falls to 11-24 and 6-7 in Summit League play.

The series resumes on Saturday afternoon with a doubleheader at Johnson Stadium.

~Dons~