University of Northern Colorado Athletics

Photo by: Sophia Valencia, UNC Athletics
UNC Shows Early Spark in Series Opener Against Oral Roberts
5/9/2025 8:40:00 PM | Baseball
Northern Colorado strikes first but can’t overcome back-to-back homers as Golden Eagles pull away in the fifth inning.
TULSA, Okla. – Despite a strong start on the mound and a solid defensive performance, Northern Colorado (17-29, 8-17 Summit) couldn't hold off Oral Roberts (28-19, 15-9 Summit) in the series opener, falling 4-1 Friday night at Chapman Park.
Kai Wagner brought in the Bears' lone run in the top of the second inning, working a bases-loaded walk to give Northern Colorado an early 1-0 lead. That advantage was short-lived, however, as the Golden Eagles answered in the bottom half with an RBI double from Martell Davis to even the score.
Northern Colorado starter Murphy Gienger held Oral Roberts at bay through four innings, but trouble struck in the fifth when the Golden Eagles launched back-to-back homers, a two-run shot by Wailele Kane-Yates and a solo blast by Jack Schark, that ultimately proved to be the difference. Gienger (1-4) battled through 7.1 innings, allowing four runs on eight hits while striking out three.
Offensively, the Bears were led by Dalton Miller, who scored the lone run and added one of the team's six hits. Craig Kenny, Jake King, Jake Bullard, Nick Barber, and Carter Monda also recorded hits in the effort.
Reliever Lucas Stone tossed two-thirds of a scoreless inning in relief of Gienger, but the Bears couldn't muster a late rally against a stingy Oral Roberts bullpen. Closer Dalton Patten earned a three-inning save, holding Northern Colorado to just one hit over the final frames.
The Bears will look to even the series on Saturday. First pitch from Tulsa is scheduled for 12 p.m. MT/1 p.m. CT.
FOLLOW THE BEARS
For complete coverage of UNC Athletics, check out the official homepage at uncbears.com. Follow the baseball team on X (formerly Twitter) (@UNC_BearsBSB) and Instagram (@UNC_BearsBaseball).
Kai Wagner brought in the Bears' lone run in the top of the second inning, working a bases-loaded walk to give Northern Colorado an early 1-0 lead. That advantage was short-lived, however, as the Golden Eagles answered in the bottom half with an RBI double from Martell Davis to even the score.
Northern Colorado starter Murphy Gienger held Oral Roberts at bay through four innings, but trouble struck in the fifth when the Golden Eagles launched back-to-back homers, a two-run shot by Wailele Kane-Yates and a solo blast by Jack Schark, that ultimately proved to be the difference. Gienger (1-4) battled through 7.1 innings, allowing four runs on eight hits while striking out three.
Offensively, the Bears were led by Dalton Miller, who scored the lone run and added one of the team's six hits. Craig Kenny, Jake King, Jake Bullard, Nick Barber, and Carter Monda also recorded hits in the effort.
Reliever Lucas Stone tossed two-thirds of a scoreless inning in relief of Gienger, but the Bears couldn't muster a late rally against a stingy Oral Roberts bullpen. Closer Dalton Patten earned a three-inning save, holding Northern Colorado to just one hit over the final frames.
The Bears will look to even the series on Saturday. First pitch from Tulsa is scheduled for 12 p.m. MT/1 p.m. CT.
FOLLOW THE BEARS
For complete coverage of UNC Athletics, check out the official homepage at uncbears.com. Follow the baseball team on X (formerly Twitter) (@UNC_BearsBSB) and Instagram (@UNC_BearsBaseball).
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Easton Teel (5-2)
L: Gienger, Murphy (1-4)
S: Dalton Patten (6)

Batting:
RBI: Wagner, Kai 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Miller, Dalton 1
CS: Kenny, Craig 1
HBP: Monda, Carter 1 ; Barber, Nick 1

Batting:
2B: Martell Davis 1
HR: Wailele Kane-Yates 1 ; Jack Schark 1
RBI: Wailele Kane-Yates 2 ; Jack Schark 1 ; Martell Davis 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Cooper Combs 1 ; Wailele Kane-Yates 1 ; Jack Schark 1 ; Ethan Fender 1
HBP: Jack Schark 1
Game Leaders
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