Mar 13th, 2007 04:56AM
by:

By STEVE EAST
UCA SID

TULSA — The University of Central Arkansas’ bats were silent again Saturday (March 10) in a 5-0 loss to the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles at J.L. Johnson Stadium.

The Bears (7-7) managed only two hits against a quartet of ORU pitchers, none in the final three innings. The Golden Eagles (7-8) made the most of their six hits, scoring five runs off UCA starter  Matt Whitaker.

Whitaker, the Bears’ junior ace, went six innings, struck out nine and allowed three earned runs.

ORU struck first in the bottom of the first inning when Kelly Minissale doubled to right field, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on Chad Rothford’s single to right. The Golden Eagles added another run in the next inning when Carter McQuigg homered to left to make it 2-0.

Minissale figured in the scoring again in the fifth when Pat Warfle reached on a throwing error by Whitaker and then stole second. Minissale’s two-run home run to right pushed the lead to 4-0. Minissale picked up his final RBI of the day with a groundout that scored Adam Younger in the seventh.

Minissale finished 2 for 4 with 3 RBI and was the only player with multiple hits in the game. UCA’s two hits came from designated hitter Matt Warren and second baseman Graham Martin.

Chance Chapman got the win for ORU with four innings of work. He allowed one hit and struck out five and walked three.

The final game of the series on Sunday was rained out.