TULSA, Okla. - May 24 - Southern Utah's chance for its first ever
Summit League baseball championship title came to an end Saturday
afternoon as the Thunderbirds dropped a 9-0 decision to Oral Roberts
University in the tournament final. Despite the loss, the 2008 T-Birds
finished the year with the most wins in school history with 31 on the
season.
"I'm proud of this group of seniors," head coach David Eldredge said in the locker room after the game. "We had a great season this year and did a lot of good things. The challenge will be on the younger guys now to continue what we've had this season and become even better next year."
The Thunderbirds looked primed to score in the top of the first inning as Keli'i Zablan hit a one-out single to right field and then advanced to third on two errant throws by ORU starting pitcher Jerry Sullivan. However, with two outs in the frame Bucky Aona grounded out to the short stop to end the inning.
Southern Utah was in a similar position in the top of the third inning as Mac Nelson led off the frame with a double down the left field line and then advanced to third two batters later on a ground ball to the pitcher by Ray Wright. But, once again, the T-Birds were held without a run as Zablan struck out swinging to end the scoring threat.
In the top of the fourth inning, SUU starter Kyle Melling was thrown out of the game after advancing too far on the field and signaling a fair ball as Nick Freitas blasted a shot just left of the foul pole in left field. Coach Eldredge followed his player after expressing his displeasure in the call, leaving the Thunderbirds two men short in the dugout.
Oral Roberts scored most of its runs off the long ball during the day with Ben Petralli, Brian Van Kirk and Juan Martinez each enjoying a free trip around the bases. The Golden Eagles scored one run in the second, sixth and eighth and three in the third and fourth for the 9-0 victory.
Southern Utah had its last chance to put a run on the board in the top of the ninth as Matthew Bezzant placed a two-out double down the left field line and then advanced to third with Chester Wilson following the senior with a two-out single. The T-Bird runners were stranded on the corners as Joe Wright came to the plate and struck out swinging for the fences to finish the game.
Melling was given the loss after three innings, allowing four runs on six hits and one walk. ORU's Sullivan pitched the complete game, allowing five hits and one walk while tallying 12 strikeouts.
Following the contest, Southern Utah had three players named to the all-tournament team with Mac Nelson, Jacob Noyes and Nick Freitas each collecting the honor.
