Golden Eagles fall in Summit League title game to North Dakota State, 4-2

The Oral Roberts baseball team fell in heartbreaking fashion in the Summit League Baseball Championship title game Saturday afternoon in Omaha.

After falling to North Dakota State on Thursday, they rallied to win game one on Championship Saturday but then the Bison punched right back in game two to secure the title, 4-2.

Game 1

The Golden Eagles started the day with a win over the Bison, 3-1 to force a *if necessary* game since ORU was in the loser's bracket.

Jack Schark showed bunt in the first inning and Cooper Combs came home to put the Eagles on the board first.

In the fourth, Ethan Fender hit a sac fly out to right field which brought another player home to give them the 2-0 lead.

To finish off the fight for their season on the line, Cooper Combs hit a solo homerun out towards the left field line that sealed the win to force a game two at Tal Anderson Field in Omaha, Nebraska.

Game 2

Things started a little slow for both squads in the second game, but NDSU got on the board first.

A single to right field scored two runners and the Bison grabbed a 2-0 early lead in the third.

Jack Schark got the Eagles on the board in the bottom of the fourth with a single out to first and Cooper Combs crossed home plate to cut into North Dakota State's lead, 2-1.

NDSU's bats were hot again in the fifth. Several runners advanced on base and a single RBI groundout gave them the 3-1 advantage heading into the final four innings.

The Golden Eagles had chances in the fourth and sixth innings with bases loaded to put some runs together but left all runners stranded in the fourth. In the sixth, the Bison turned to their bullpen to get the final out but walked Keaton Campbell to make a 3-2 ballgame, then struck out Brandt to end the inning.

The Bison tacked on another run to tie a bow on it and run off with the win, 4-2.

Championship Dynasty

ORU has now advanced to the Summit League title game in all 25 tournament appearances.

Head coach Ryan Folmar became the winningest coach in Summit League history with 380 career conference victories after Friday and Saturday wins.

The Golden Eagles finish their season 37-22.