Red Raiders Drop 5-4 Midweek Game to Oral Roberts

Oral Roberts centerfielder Derrian James hit a two-out two run double to lift the Golden Eagles over the No. 23 Texas Tech Red Raiders 5-4 in a midweek contest at J.L Johnson stadium in Tulsa, Oklahoma Tuesday.

Clinging to a 4-3 lead, Tech reliever Matt Custred gave up a one-out double to SS Dean Wilson and a walk to C Matt Whatley to set up James’ heroics.

James’ two RBI were the first earned runs Custred allowed in his 10.2 innings of work over nine appearances. Custred’s record falls to 0-1 and his ERA grew to 1.69.

ORU reliever Colin Hightower (1-0) earned the win pitching a scoreless inning. Golden Eagles reliever Anthony Sequeira notched his fourth save of the season pitching a scoreless ninth inning with a strikeout while retiring the Red Raiders in order.

Texas Tech (19-14) dropped its third straight midweek game while the Golden Eagles (21-10) have won 11 of its last 12 games overall.

Tech jumped out to a 3-0 by putting up a three spot in the first inning on the strength of RBI singles by Tyler Neslony and Eric Gutierrez.

Neslony went 3-for-5, his tenth multi-hit game of the season,  with a run scored and RBI and Gutierrez, who extended his hitting streak to seven games, went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Eight Red Raiders posted base hits while out-hitting the Golden Eagles, 11-10.

The Red Raiders left runners in scoring position in the third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh innings.

ORU scored a run in the third and a run in the fourth before Tech took a 4-2 lead on Quinn Carpenter's solo home run with one out in the sixth inning.

Carpenter started on the mound for Tech and worked a season-high 4.1 innings, earning a no decision, giving up two runs on four hits with three strikeouts and four walks.