The Oral Roberts Golden Eagles’ Cinderella story continued in the College Baseball World Series Friday.
Playing in college baseball’s marquee event for the first time in 45 years, the Golden Eagles appeared headed for defeat after the TCU Horned Frogs scored three runs in the eighth inning to take a 5-2 lead.
But Oral Roberts responded with four runs in the ninth to put the Golden Eagles back ahead for good. Second baseman Blaze Brothers’ three-run homer provided the winning runs in a 6-5 victory.
Cade Denton then shut down the Horned Frogs in the bottom of the ninth as Oral Roberts (52-12) won for the 24th time in 25 games.
Oral Roberts hangs on to win after the ninth-inning comeback! ⚾️ #MCWS pic.twitter.com/ZGwPHvONs2
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) June 16, 2023
Brothers told reporters after the game his home run felt like it happened in slow motion.
“It was like slow motion,” Brothers said (via the Oklahoman). “Right when I felt it off the bat, it felt pretty good, and I saw the left fielder kind of turn around, and I was, like, ‘Oh, that ball’s out. Let’s go.’ I just wanted to get around the bases to celebrate with the boys.”
The Golden Eagles will now play Sunday against the winner of Friday night’s Florida-Virginia game. TCU (42-23) will play the loser of that game Sunday.
Oral Roberts had plenty of supporters in Omaha, including members of the school’s 1978 CWS team. That contingent of former Golden Eagles included Mike Moore, the No. 1 overall pick in the 1981 MLB Draft, who went on to play 14 seasons in the majors.
Can Oral Roberts continue its surprise run in the CWS? Baseball fans say you can’t count out the Summit League team.
Oral Roberts knocked off TCU in game 1? pic.twitter.com/ZulurnGc2o
— Mortgage Freeman (@NotoriousGRC) June 16, 2023
ORU is going to be a real problem in the tourny
— IreallybeChilln 100 (@ireallybechilln) June 16, 2023
underdog story
— Grayson Ricketts (FOLLOW BACKS) ROAD TO 2K! (@GraysonRickett1) June 16, 2023
The College World Series is only 1 game down and we already have our game of the tournament. #OralRoberts #TCU
— tyler maines 🥋 (@tyler27_m) June 16, 2023
Even with holes to fill in their lineup, Oral Roberts still beat TCU.
— Sal Sammartino (@OkieFromHell) June 16, 2023
Oral Roberts didn’t wanna go away, I thought it was over when that pitcher walked in those runs in the bottom of the 8th
— Cody’s Thoughts 💬 (@Codysthoughts_) June 16, 2023
