The University of Texas received solid performances by Joseph Krebs and Randy Boone out of the bullpen and strung together a pair of two-run rallies to post a 5-3 win over Oral Roberts University in collegiate baseball action Saturday afternoon at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
Texas (11-6) has won nine of its last 11 games after a 2-4 start on the season.
Adrian Alaniz struggled through 3.1 innings in which he allowed two runs, one earned, on four hits and two walks while striking out five and was lifted after throwing 82 pitches. Krebs (2-0) responded with 4.2 innings of relief, allowing just one run on four hits and one walk while fanning four to earn the win. Boone retired three consecutive batters in the ninth inning to earn his fourth save of the season.
With Oral Roberts leading 3-0, Texas started to chip away at the lead with two runs in the fifth inning. Russell Moldenhauer led off the frame with a single to centerfield. With one out, fellow freshman Josh Prince singled to right field. A fielder’s choice grounder by Travis Tucker put runners at the corners and Chance Wheeless plated both runners with a double to the wall in right centerfield, trimming the lead to 3-2.
The Longhorns took their first lead in the bottom of the sixth. Bradley Suttle and Kyle Russell both singled to start off the inning to put runners at the corners. An unsuccessful sacrifice squeeze bunt by Nick Peoples retired Suttle at home, but a groundout by Moldenhauer put runners at second and third for Preston Clark who drove home a pair with a single through the left side of the infield staking UT to a 4-3 lead.
Texas added an insurance run in the eighth inning. With two outs, Josh Prince drew a walk stole second base and scored on a fielding error by Brendan Duffy on a fly ball by Tucker.
Oral Roberts (4-7) drew first blood in the top of the first inning. Duffy led off with a single and moved to second on an error on a failed pickoff attempt. After Chad Rothford was hit by a pitch, Brian Van Kirk delivered an RBI single to leftfield giving the Eagles a 1-0 lead.
ORU added single runs in the fourth and fifth innings to inflate the cushion to 3-0. In the fourth, Warfle hit an RBI single up the middle to drive in Stephen Pearson. In the fifth, Kelly Minissale plated Jake Kahaulelio with a single to centerfield.
Texas offense was led by Wheeless, Moldenhauer and Suttle who racked up three hits apiece. Wheeless went 3-for-5 with one double and two RBI and extended his career long hitting streak to 13 games. Moldenhauer, who got his first career hit in his first at-bat, went 3-for-4 with one run scored.
Warfle went 3-for-4 with one double and one RBI to lead the Eagles offense.
Erik Crichton (0-3) was saddled with the loss for Oral Roberts. He allowed three runs, two earned, on seven hits and one walk over 3.1 innings. Marcus Tackett pitched well in the start, but didn’t have the endurance, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk over 4.2 innings.
Texas and Oral Roberts return to action on Sunday with the series finale scheduled for 1 p.m. at UFCU Disch-Falk Field.
Texas Recap
Oral Roberts Recap
Box Score of game
Austin-American Statesman Recap
