Sophomore pitcher Brenden Asher recorded a career-high eight strikeouts as the Oral Roberts baseball team lost to Central Arkansas, 5-3, on April 14 at Chapman Park in Tulsa.
The result brings Oral Roberts’ record to 20-14 overall and 11-1 in conference play, while Central Arkansas moves to 19-18 overall and 7-8 in the conference. The game saw Asher start strong on the mound for the Golden Eagles, striking out six batters over the first three innings without allowing a walk.
Oral Roberts took an early lead with two runs in the second inning. Cooper Kelly singled and later scored after advancing on another single and an error. Hudson Ellis advanced Cooper Combs to third with a single before Will Edmunson drove him home with an RBI single to right field.
Central Arkansas responded by scoring its first run on a groundout in the fourth inning. The Bears then took control of the game with a three-run home run in the fifth, giving them a two-run advantage. Oral Roberts closed the gap slightly when Kelly’s fielder’s choice brought Wailele Kane-Yates home after his double earlier that inning.
Asher was charged with his third loss of the season after allowing three runs on four hits across four and two-thirds innings pitched. Silas Cowgill earned his third win for Central Arkansas by pitching two innings and allowing only two hits, while Hunter Alexander secured his seventh save of the year by closing out the final two innings.
The Golden Eagles will next travel for Summit League play against South Dakota State beginning Friday, April 17 at 3 p.m.
