TULSA, Okla. (Interstat) — A dominant relief outing from Sam Schlecht was ultimately undone by a late-inning rally as the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles defeated the South Dakota State Jackrabbits 3-1 on Saturday afternoon at J.L. Johnson Stadium in Summit League baseball action.

The game, a tightly contested pitchers’ duel for seven innings, turned decisively in the bottom of the eighth when Oral Roberts capitalized on key pinch-hit and small-ball execution to break a 1-1 deadlock.

South Dakota State struck first in the third inning. Luke Wroblewski worked a two-out walk and scored on Nolan Grawe’s double to right-center field, giving the Jackrabbits an early lead.

Oral Roberts answered immediately in the bottom of the first, albeit without a hit. Cooper Combs walked, advanced to third on an error and scored on another error by the Jackrabbits’ infield, tying the game on an unearned run.

From there, the game settled into a stalemate defined by strong pitching. South Dakota State starter Sam Schlecht was brilliant in relief, entering the game and throwing 5 2/3 hitless innings. He walked two and struck out four, keeping the Golden Eagles’ bats silent through the middle innings.

Oral Roberts starter Nathan Love matched the effort, earning the win after allowing one run on five hits over 5 2/3 innings. He struck out three and navigated multiple Jackrabbits scoring opportunities, aided by two double plays turned by his defense.

The most important part of the game unfolded in the bottom of the eighth. With the score still tied, Oral Roberts’ Tyler Brodrick drew a leadoff walk. After a pitching change and a hit-by-pitch, pinch-hitter Will Edmunson delivered a clutch single up the middle to drive in Brodrick with the go-ahead run. A subsequent sacrifice bunt from Hudson Ellis brought home an insurance run, making it 3-1.

Oral Roberts’ bullpen sealed the victory. Jackson Farrell provided 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief, and closer Kash Ferris struck out the side in the ninth inning, stranding two Jackrabbits runners to end the game.

South Dakota State out-hit Oral Roberts 7-5 but grounded into two critical double plays and left multiple runners on base. The Jackrabbits’ season record falls to 5-13, while Oral Roberts evens its mark at 9-9.

The Golden Eagles have now taken the first two games of the weekend series after a 4-3 victory on Friday. The teams conclude the three-game set on Sunday.

Nathan Love was the top star for Oral Roberts, providing a quality start to keep his team in position for the late win. His performance improved upon his previous outing against Arkansas State on March 7.

The result defied the pregame projection from Interstat, which had simulated a 5-4 Oral Roberts victory and gave the Golden Eagles a 76.3% probability to win. The actual contest featured far less offense but the same ultimate outcome.