BROOKINGS, S.D. (Interstat) — The Oral Roberts Golden Eagles erupted for seven runs in the first two innings and rode a dominant relief performance from Maddox Thornton to defeat the South Dakota State Jackrabbits 8-4 in the opener of a Summit League baseball series Friday evening at Erv Huether Field.

The Golden Eagles (21-14, 4-3 Summit) battered South Dakota State starter Sam Schlecht early, capitalizing on a critical error to break the game open in the first inning. After Will Edmunson led off with a single and Makani Tanaka grounded into a double play, Wailele KaneYates reached on a throwing error by Jackrabbits shortstop Jirschele. A single by Davis set the stage for first baseman Cooper Kelly, who launched a three-run homer to right field, his first of the season, plating two unearned runs.

Oral Roberts continued the onslaught in the second. With two on, Edmunson delivered a two-run double to left field, extending the lead to 5-0. The Golden Eagles added two more in the third on a sacrifice fly by Coil and a solo home run by Tanaka in the fourth, his sixth of the season, making it 8-0.

South Dakota State (11-22, 3-4) chipped away at the large deficit against Oral Roberts starter Easton Teel. In the third inning, Nate Wachter singled through the left side to drive in two runs. An inning later, Nolan Grawe connected for a two-run homer to deep right field, his third of the season, cutting the Oral Roberts lead to 8-4.

That prompted Oral Roberts to turn to its bullpen, and Thornton extinguished any hope of a Jackrabbits comeback. The reliever entered with a runner on second and one out in the sixth inning and proceeded to shut down the South Dakota State offense completely. Thornton fired four perfect innings, striking out three and not allowing a single baserunner to secure the victory.

The most important part of the game was Thornton’s entry in the sixth inning. With the score 8-4 and a runner in scoring position, the Jackrabbits had momentum after scoring four runs across the third and fourth frames. Thornton’s immediate efficiency, inducing a flyout and a groundout to end the sixth, halted the rally. His subsequent three innings of flawless relief allowed no opportunity for a South Dakota State comeback, transforming a potentially tense finish into a comfortable win for the visitors.

Tanaka added a second solo home run in the seventh inning, his seventh of the year, to cap the scoring. He finished 2 for 5 with two RBIs. Kelly went 2 for 4 with three RBIs, while Edmunson also drove in two runs as part of Oral Roberts’ 11-hit attack.

For South Dakota State, Wachter went 2 for 5 with two RBIs and Grawe’s home run accounted for two more. Schlecht took the loss, allowing eight runs, four earned, on nine hits over five innings.

The win improved Oral Roberts to 4-0 against South Dakota State this season, having swept a three-game series in Tulsa last month. The Golden Eagles’ victory also outperformed the Interstat game simulator, which had projected a narrow 7-6 Oral Roberts win.

The teams continue the three-game series Saturday afternoon.