UNC Rallies in Ninth but Comes Up Just Short in Tulsa

Sunday, May 11

Tulsa, Okla.

12 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

17-31, 0

Oral Roberts

30-19, 0

Northern Colorado

Oral Roberts

5/11/2025 3:55:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Wagner's three-run homer caps five-run ninth as Bears nearly erase late deficit in series finale thriller.

By: Brooke Richards, Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

TULSA, Okla. — Northern Colorado showed late-game heart and grit on Sunday afternoon, nearly erasing a seven-run deficit in the ninth inning before falling just short in an 8-7 loss to Oral Roberts in the final game of the weekend series at Chapman Park.

Trailing 7–2 entering the final inning, the Bears (17–31) refused to go quietly. After James Wright and Brandon Sanchez reached base, Carter Monda came through with a clutch two-run double down the left field line, cutting the deficit to 7–4. Two batters later, with two runners aboard, Kai Wagner delivered the biggest swing of the game, a three-run home run to right field that tied things up at 7–7.

Oral Roberts (30–19) responded quickly in the bottom half of the frame as Makani Tanaka launched a solo home run to right-center, delivering a walk-off victory for the Golden Eagles and sealing the weekend sweep.

Seven different Bears recorded hits, with Monda going 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored, and Wagner driving in four. Sanchez also added a multi-hit performance, going 2-for-4 with a double.

UNC got a steady start from right-hander Jake Storey, who gave up four runs on seven hits across five innings while striking out three. Ethan Louthan recorded his first loss of the season after giving up the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth.

UP NEXT
The Bears will return home for their final regular season home series May 15-17 against the St. Thomas Tommies.

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