Central Arkansas defeated Oral Roberts University 5–3 on April 14, securing a season sweep against the Golden Eagles at Chapman Park in Tulsa. The Bears’ victory was highlighted by two home runs from Nate Negre and strong defensive plays that kept the Golden Eagles from scoring more runs.
The game is notable as it marks Central Arkansas’s second win over Oral Roberts this season, showing improvement in both offense and defense. The result moves Central Arkansas to a record of 19-18 overall and 7-8 in conference play, while Oral Roberts falls to 20-14 overall and suffers its first conference loss at 11-1.
Oral Roberts took an early lead in the second inning after Cooper Kelly scored on Kole Dudding’s ground out, followed by Will Edmunson’s RBI single. However, Central Arkansas responded in the fourth when Negre singled and later scored on Keaton Laidley’s ground out. In the fifth inning, Negre hit a three-run homer that brought home Carter Alexander and Zeb Allen, giving the Bears their first lead of the night.
Defensively, Central Arkansas made key plays at home plate to prevent runs: Keaton Laidley threw to Negre who relayed to Carter Alexander for an out in the fifth inning; Zeb Allen also contributed with a throw to Alexander for another crucial out at home during the sixth. Pitchers Samuel Curtis, Silas Cowgill (who earned his third win), JB Williams, Nicholas French (two strikeouts on ten pitches), and Hunter Alexander (four strikeouts over two innings for his seventh save) combined efforts to hold off Oral Roberts through nine innings.
Negre finished with three runs scored, four hits—including two home runs—and four RBIs. Looking ahead, Central Arkansas will host Eastern Kentucky University at Bear Stadium on Friday night.
