ABILENE, Texas (Interstat) — In a wild series finale defined by a massive early deficit and an even more dramatic late-inning rally, Abilene Christian completed a comeback from six runs down to walk off with an 8-7 victory over Oral Roberts on Sunday at Kimbrell Arena.

The game, which stretched from afternoon into evening, saw the Wildcats salvage a split of the three-game weekend set and improve to 4-2. The Golden Eagles fell to 3-4.

The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the bottom of the seventh inning, erasing what had been a comfortable Oral Roberts lead. The Golden Eagles had seized immediate control, sending 10 men to the plate in a chaotic top of the first. After two walks and two hit batters loaded the bases, Cooper Kelly laced a two-run double. Martell Davis followed by launching a three-run homer to deep left field, staking Oral Roberts to a 7-0 advantage before Abilene Christian recorded an out.

Abilene Christian’s Diego Cardenas provided a momentary response with a solo home run in the bottom of the first, but the Wildcats’ offense was then stifled for five innings by a trio of Oral Roberts relievers. Starter Conner Johnson went two innings before Weston Rouse entered in the third and delivered 3 2/3 hitless innings, striking out six. Will Yeary followed with 1 2/3 perfect frames.

The game turned decisively in the seventh. Trailing 7-1, Abilene Christian mounted its comeback against the Oral Roberts bullpen. With two on, Maddox Miesse drove in a run with a ground-rule double. That brought Cardenas to the plate, and the designated hitter delivered the pivotal blow, crushing a three-run homer to left field to tie the game at 7. Cardenas finished 3 for 4 with two home runs and four RBIs, solidifying his status as the game’s top star.

Oral Roberts threatened in the eighth, putting two on with one out, but could not break the tie. Abilene Christian’s bullpen, after a rough start, was exceptional in holding the line. Baron Mannis provided three scoreless innings of relief, allowing just three hits and striking out four. Caden Greanead also contributed 1 2/3 shutout frames after entering in the first.

The game proceeded to the bottom of the ninth. After a strikeout, Cardenas singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Following another strikeout, Sam Hardcastle lined a single up the middle, scoring pinch-runner Kanon Sundgren to trigger the Wildcats’ celebration.

For Oral Roberts, Davis drove in three with his first-inning homer, Kelly had two hits and two RBIs, and Will Edmunson went 3 for 5 with two doubles. The Golden Eagles, however, stranded 12 baserunners and scored only on their initial outburst.

The win gives Abilene Christian momentum heading into a neutral-site series next weekend in Cleburne, Texas. Oral Roberts looks to regroup on the road at Missouri State on Tuesday.