Following up a weekend sweep over Texas Tech in Lubbock, the No. 18 Sooners returned to action after some time off on Friday night for the beginning of a three-game weekend set against Baylor.
As they have all season, Oklahoma (30-17, 19-6) got the bats going early and often as they went for another big number in the run column once again in a 19-7 win over the Bears at L. Dale Mitchell Park.
“From one to nine, every hitter is formidable, regardless of the opponent,” commented first baseman Michael Snyder after the game. “We have a mix of experienced players and newcomers, each contributing with their own strengths – speed, power, and determination.” The OU offense has consistently excelled this season, and Friday’s game was no exception. Despite an early 3-0 deficit, Oklahoma quickly bounced back with a two-run inning in the first, highlighted by Bryce Madron’s RBI triple and Easton Carmichael’s RBI groundout.
In the second inning, Baylor managed to replicate their three-run success, extending their lead to 6-2 after two innings. Sooners’ starting pitcher Braden Davis (7-3), despite recent accolades including back-to-back Big 12 Pitcher of the Week awards, faced some early struggles. However, Davis regained his composure and provided his potent offense with the opportunity to respond. Following the challenging start, the left-hander delivered three consecutive scoreless innings in the third, fourth, and fifth.
“That guy is a warrior, he’s an assassin,” Snyder said about his pitcher. “Baby-faced assassin. Fills up the zone, has a good feel for all of his pitches. Gives up six runs, weak contact all day. I don’t think there was a hard hit ball off of him. And he just fought and fought. That was really awesome to see.”
In that span, the Sooners would not only erase the four-run deficit on the scoreboard – but build a four-run lead of their own. In the third, OU struck for two on a Jackson Nicklaus bases loaded walk and a Jaxon Willits sacrifice fly.
One inning later, Oklahoma would tie the game with another two-run turn at-bat on RBI hits from John Spikerman and Snyder. After four, the game was all even at 6-6.
The fifth was then when the Sooners would jump out in front and never let go. OU plated four runs in the frame on an RBI fielder’s choice by Madron, a two-run hit by Carmichael and an RBI double by Snyder. Suddenly, Oklahoma led comfortably at 10-6.
“If they continue to play one pitch at a time, just have quality at-bats, not worry about the outcome and just focus on what they can control, I think that’s the separation,” head coach Skip Johnson said.
Baylor got one run back in the sixth to cut it to 10-7, but the Sooners would get that run back and then some in the seventh. OU exploded for six runs in the inning – highlighted by two-run hits by both Carmichael and Anthony Mackenzie. After seven, it was all Oklahoma at 16-7.
But, the Sooners still weren’t quite satisfied. In the eighth, Oklahoma went for three more runs on a sacrifice fly by Mackenzie and a two-run double from Nicklaus. Right-hander Reid Hensley then finished the job in the ninth on the 19-7 victory.
“The bullpen picked up (Davis),” Johnson. “Dylan (Crooks) really set the tone. Then we came back and scored some big runs. Put a zero up there and then we scratch a run, then we get two or three and all of a sudden we have six. Pretty fun to watch.”
The win is Oklahoma’s fourth straight and tightens their vice grip on the lead in the Big 12 standings. OU holds a three-game lead with just five to go – firmly putting them in the driver’s seat for the program’s first Big 12 regular season title.
“It’s one day at a time,” Snyder said. “Doesn’t matter who is ahead of us, behind us. It’s any given day, it’s baseball. Just put one foot in front of the other and keep marching on.”
The Sooners will now look for the series win on Saturday in the middle game. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. CT back at L. Dale Mitchell Park.
