Eagles take two from Valparaiso (TW)

[praetorfenix86]

VALPARAISO, Ind. -- Jake Kahaulelio drove in four runs in the opener and Chris Ashman tossed a complete game six-hitter in the nightcap as Oral Roberts swept a Mid-Continent Conference doubleheader from Valparaiso, winning 9-6 and 8-1 Saturday at Bauer Field.

The Mid-Con opener for the Golden Eagles (18-12, 2-0) started off with a bang. Consecutive one-out RBI singles by Kahaulelio and Chad Rothford gave ORU a 2-0 first-inning lead.

Kahaulelio connected for a two-run homer in the top of the third for a 4-0 lead, but Valpo got back in the game an inning later. A two-out RBI bloop double by Brian Rzepka cut ORU's lead in half to 4-2 in the bottom of the fourth.

ORU made it 5-2 in the top of the fifth on an RBI groundout by Andy Bouchie.

But again, Valpo made a charge and tied the game at 5-5 with a three-run sixth. A bases-loaded walk to John Giusti and a two-run single by Jon Rupno tied the game.

The game remained tied until the top of the eighth. Kelly Minissale laced an RBI single for a 6-5 lead and Kahaulelio followed with an RBI fielder's choice for a 7-5 lead. ORU tacked on two more runs in the ninth when Brendan Duffy lined a two-run single to center field to make it 9-5.

Valparaiso scratched across a run in the ninth inning against reliever Sean Jarrett, but Jarrett slammed the door to preserve the win and pick up his season's third save.

Erik Chrichton (3-0) picked up the win, tossing 1 2/3 innings in relief of starter Taylor McIntyre. Valpo reliever Derek Smith (0-1) took the loss.

Game two was dominated by Ashman (5-1). The right-hander allowed an unearned run in the first, but dominated Valpo (6-20, 1-5) for the rest of the game.

Down 1-0, the Golden Eagles took the lead for good with a three-run third. Rothford connected for a two-run double and Bouchie followed two batters later with an RBI single to give ORU a 3-1 lead.

ORU added three more runs in the fourth. Minissale had a sac fly for the first run and Kahaulelio lined a two-run double for a 6-1 lead.

Brian Aguailar lined an RBI single in the sixth and Travis DeBondt did the same in the seventh for an 8-1 lead.

In seven innings, Ashman walked two and struck out four. Valpo's Harvey Yergin (0-6) allowed eight runs on 11 hits in 5 2/3 innings.