Denver, Colo. – The Drake University men's tennis team rolled past Oral Roberts, 4-0, in the semifinals of the Summit League Championship Friday evening at the Gates Tennis Center in Denver, Colo.
 
The Bulldogs (18-13) didn't waste any time getting out to an early lead as they took the doubles point swiftly. Ben Wood and Tom Hands cruised past ORU's Eddy Leardini and Alvaro Santamaria, 6-1 at No. 3 doubles. Ben Clark and Finley Hall secured the doubles point with a 6-3 win at No. 2.
 
Clark blanked Leardnin, 6-0, 6-0 at No. 5 singles, while Hands put Drake up 3-0 with a dominating 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 3.

Vinny Gillespie clinched the 4-0 sweep as he put together an impressive 6-1, 6-1 win over Jan Pehnec at No. 2 singles.
 
The Bulldogs advance to the Summit League Championship match and will square off against the winner of Denver or Valparaiso on Saturday at 2 p.m. The winner of Saturday's match will receive the league's automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.
 
Drake 4, Oral Roberts 0
Apr 27, 2018 at Denver, Colo.
(Gates Tennis Center)
 
Singles competition
1. Barny Thorold (DU) vs. Kenneth Boykin (ORUM) unfinished
2. Vinny Gillespie (DU) def. Jan Pehnec (ORUM) 6-1, 6-1
3. Tom Hands (DU) def. Alvaro Santamaria (ORUM) 6-1, 6-0
4. Ben Wood (DU) vs. Marcello Moreira (ORUM) unfinished
5. Ben Clark (DU) def. Eddy Leardini (ORUM) 6-0, 6-0
6. Finley Hall (DU) vs. Scott Hjelm (ORUM) unfinished
 
Doubles competition
1. Barny Thorold/Vinny Gillespie (DU) vs. Kenneth Boykin/Jan Pehnec (ORUM) unfinished
2. Ben Clark/Finley Hall (DU) def. Andrew Guymon/Marcello Moreira (ORUM) 6-3
3. Ben Wood/Tom Hands (DU) def. Eddy Leardini/Alvaro Santamaria (ORUM) 6-1
 
Order of finish: Doubles (3,2); Singles (5,3,2)