ORU tops KU in extra innings

? Josh Lex ripped a game-winning double with one out in the bottom of the 10th inning Tuesday, lifting Oral Roberts to a 2-1 win over Kansas University and extending ORU’s winning streak to 11 games.

The outcome snapped KU’s five-game winning streak.

Brian Hanson walked to lead off the 10th and was sacrificed to second by Grant Plumley. Lex then belted the first pitch from KU reliever Jacob Jean (1-2) off the wall in left field, easily scoring Hanson with the winning run.

The game was a pitchers’ duel between ORU’s Justin Ramsey and KU’s Scott Sharpe.

Ramsey, who originally was scheduled to go just two innings on what was supposed to be a staff day for the Golden Eagles, limited the Jayhawks to one run on six hits over a career-high seven innings, striking out six with one walk.

Sharpe allowed five hits and one run in six innings. Neither starter factored in the decision.

ORU (14-3) grabbed a 1-0 lead in the second, when Boomer Welles singled home Ricky Rivera with two outs.

Ramsey held on to the lead, facing the minimum number of batters through five innings. Kansas finally tied it in the seventh when Ryan Baty singled with two outs and scored on Matt Tribble’s double to left-center.

The Golden Eagles had an opportunity to win in the bottom of the ninth, loading the bases with one out. But pinch-hitter Jeff Tuttle fouled out to catcher Sean Richardson on the first pitch, and Matt VanDerBosch’s bunt attempt was handled easily by Richardson to end the threat.

ORU reliever Tim Robertson (2-0) pitched three scoreless innings, allowing three hits and striking out three. He was the beneficiary of two of ORU’s four double plays.

KU (18-9-1) will play host to Western Illinois in a noon doubleheader Saturday at Hoglund Ballpark.