Smolen Blanks Oakland in Summit Opener, 10-0

TULSA-Bryce Smolen tossed a five hitter and Oral Roberts banged out 15 hits in a 10-0 victory over Oakland in the Summit League opener for both teams, Friday at J.L. Johnson Stadium.

Smolen (3-2) retired 19 of the final 20 batters he faced, posting a career-high 10 strikeouts. The win evened ORU’s season record at 13-13.

The Golden Eagles wasted no time in taking control of the game. ORU sent 10 batters to the plate in the first, scoring four runs on five hits.  Nick Baligod, Robert Barbosa and P.J. Sequeira each delivered run-scoring hits, with Barbosa’s being a two-run triple.

Seth Furmanek added to the lead in the fifth when his solo home run made it 5-0. Sequeira doubled two batters later and scored on Colby Price‘s single as ORU went up 6-0.

ORU put the game out of reach in the seventh inning. Baligod drew a two-out, bases-loaded walk to make it 7-0 and Tyler Saladino followed with a two-run single for a 9-0 lead. Tyler Garewallined a run-scoring single as the Golden Eagles took a 10-0 advantage.

After struggling over his first three innings, Smolen dominated the Golden Grizzlies (5-16) from the fourth inning on. He struck out four of the last six batters he faced and allowed only an infield single in the sixth after settling down.

Sequeira paced ORU’s offensive attack with three hits, including a pair of doubles. He scored twice and knocked in a run. Saladino, Furmanek and Price collected two hits apiece.

Connor Mielock (1-4) suffered the loss for Oakland, allowing six runs on 10 hits in five innings.

The series continues on Saturday with a 2 p.m. doubleheader.