2019 Oklahoma Sooner Baseball

[SoonerTraveler]

Oklahoma hosts Texas Southern
> Tuesday; April 9 ... 5:30 PM
> Wednesday; April 10 ... 3:00 PM

RPI Rankings
_35 - Oklahoma (23-10, 5-4 Big 12)
247 - Texas Southern (8-20, 7-8 SWAC)

About the Tigers...
• Texas Southern (located in Houston) is in its 11th year under head coach Michael Robertson, who has led the Tigers to a 255-299 record and three NCAA postseason appearances.
• The Tigers dropped two of three games at home last weekend to Grambling State, but have won five of their last eight contests.
• Texas Southern has played four opponents on the OU schedule already this season (Kansas, Texas, Baylor, UAPB). TSU went 1-3 vs. Kansas, 0-1 at Texas, 0-2 at Baylor and 1-2 at UAPB.
• Oklahoma and Texas Southern have played twice. The Sooners lead the series, 2-0.
• This is the second straight year the schools will play a two-game midweek series.
• OU won both contests last year, 12-0 and 10-1 in Norman.

Game Notes:
http://www.soonersports.com/pdf9/5486365.pdf

On the Air ... The games on Tuesday and Wednesday will air on FOX Sports Oklahoma Plus and will be simulcast on the radio with Toby Rowland and George Frazier on the call. The radio broadcast will air on Sportstalk 1400-AM / 99.3-FM and streamed on Sportstalk1400.com and the TuneIn mobile app.

 

[SoonerTraveler]

Oklahoma 3rd Baseman Brylie Ware is one of 30 baseball candidates announced for 2019 Senior CLASS Award

http://www.seniorclassaward.com/news/view/baseball_candidates_announced_for_2019_senior_class_award/

Thirty NCAA® baseball student-athletes who excel both on and off the field were selected as candidates today for the 2019 Senior CLASS Award® in collegiate baseball. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition.

See the link above for the complete list of 30 candidates.

Brylie Ware
http://www.seniorclassaward.com/athletes/brylie_ware/

The 30 candidates will be narrowed to 10 finalists midway through the regular season, and those 10 names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will select one candidate who best exemplifies excellence in the four C’s of community, classroom, character and competition. The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2019 College World Series® in June.

 

[SoonerTraveler]

Per SoonerSports.com ...

NORMAN – The Oklahoma baseball game against Texas Southern scheduled for 3 p.m. Wednesday at L. Dale Mitchell Park has been canceled due to unfavorable playing conditions.

The weather forecast for Norman Wednesday afternoon includes a high wind advisory with winds near 30 mph and gusts up to 40 mph. The Sooners defeated the Tigers 10-2 Tuesday night.

Oklahoma (24-10; 5-4) travels to Waco for a three-game Big 12 series at No. 24 Baylor (22-9; 6-2) this weekend. Game times are set for 6:30 p.m. Friday; 3 p.m. Saturday; and 3 p.m. Sunday.

 

[SoonerTraveler]

For the 4th Big-12 Conference series in a row, OU (25-12; 6-6) wins the Friday night game of the weekend series.

Friday Night: OU @ Baylor (OU Wins 7-5)
http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=254089&vislive=okla

Update: In the last 3 series (@ WVU; TCU; @ Baylor), OU won Friday night, then lost games #2 and #3 on Saturday and Sunday.

Oklahoma Big-12 Series
> 3-0 ... Kansas
> 1-2 ... @ West Virginia
> 1-2 ... TCU
> 1-2 ... @ Baylor

Saturday; April 13, 2019: For the 3rd Big-12 series in a row, OU wins Friday night and then losses Saturday afternoon, this time a 7-3 loss at Baylor.

Saturday Loss: http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31000&ATCLID=211799665

 

[SoonerTraveler]

Baseball Drops Series at No. 17 Baylor
http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31000&ATCLID=211799797

Sunday Box Score (Baylor wins in 12 innings; 3-2):
http://www.soonersports.com/pdf9/5486748.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=31000

Since sweeping Kansas to begin the Big-12 season, the Sooners (25-12; 6-6) have gone 4-8 in the past 12 games.

Next 5 Games
> @ ORU .. 6:00 pm; April 16 (Tuesday)
> @ Minnesota .. 6:30 pm; April 19 (Saturday)
> @ Minnesota .. 2:00 pm; April 20 (Saturday)
> @ Minnesota .. 11:00 am; April 21 (Sunday)
> @ Wichita State .. 6:00 pm; April 23 (Tuesday)

 

[TulsaWorld]

From Eric Bailey: Tyler Hardman's change of mental approach leads to big offensive numbers for Sooners

The belief baseball can be a mental game was witnessed by Oklahoma’s Tyler Hardman during his freshman season.

Hardman struggled in his rookie season. Looking back with a smile last week, Hardman said he’s been able to distance himself for these up-and-down days at the plate.

“The offense is what makes baseball the hardest thing. You have to be OK with failing and then really work at it during the fall, trying to get some consistency behind it,” Hardman said about his path to this season. “Staying behind the ball and working on the offensive plan and not getting down on yourself. The mental game of baseball is what the really good players are good at. If I had to pick something that helped me the most, it’s the mental game.”

Hardman enters Tuesday’s 6 p.m. game at Oral Roberts as the Sooners’ top hitter. The first baseman is batting .333 with a team-high five home runs and 31 RBIs.

 

[TulsaWorld]

Tuesday night game recap...

It wasn’t the prettiest of victories, but in the end, the Oral Roberts baseball team grinded it out and came through when it mattered most.

With the bases loaded and one out in the ninth inning Tuesday night, ORU reliever Spencer Henson struck out Oklahoma’s Conor McKenna. Then, in a seven-pitch battle, he induced Justin Mitchell into a fly out to secure the Golden Eagles a nail-biting 3-2 triumph over OU at J.L. Johnson Stadium.

“The first couple of batters didn’t go the way it was supposed to, kind of left some balls up in the zone and plunked the second guy,” said Henson, who allowed a leadoff double to OU’s Diego Muniz and then hit Brylie Ware before allowing a one-out single to Brady Lindsly to load the bases.

“The main thing is just kind of coming back to your routines, your mental talk, and try not to get too into the moment. At that point, you just have to approach it one batter at a time, one pitch at a time, and just try to execute as best you can.”

 

[TulsaWorld]

Drillers update: Former OU QB Cody Thomas socks 3 homers in win over Springfield

Former Oklahoma quarterback Cody Thomas belted three home runs and went 4-4of-4 with five RBIs to power the Drillers to a 10-7 victory over the Springfield Cardinals on Wednesday at Hammons Field. Thomas snapped a 3-3 tie with a fourth-inning homer and his three-run blast in the seventh provided the eventual winning margin. Tulsa’s Gavin Lux and Zach McKinstry had back-to-back homers in the fifth.

It was the Double-A Drillers’ first three-homer game since Jacob Scavuzzo did it June 21, 2017 — also in a matinee at Springfield. The other four Drillers to hit three homers in a game are Fernando Tatis Sr. (1997), Craig Monroe (2000), Travis Hafner (2001) and Jason Moore (2002).

For Thomas, it was the second three-homer game of his pro career — his other was on Aug. 3, 2017, for low Single-A Great Lakes. His perfect day at the plate lifted Thomas’ batting average from .184 to .262.

The latest on OU baseball from Eric Bailey...

Looking ahead: The Sooners will spend their nonconference weekend playing a three-game series at Minnesota on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Oklahoma also will play Tuesday at Wichita State.

Looking back: OU lost two of three games at Baylor last weekend and lost 3-2 at Oral Roberts on Tuesday.

Notable: OU is looking for a midseason turnaround after losing nine of its past 13 games. … Brandon Zaragoza has scored a team-high 32 runs. … Pitcher Ben Abram is the co-leader with wins (six) in the Big 12. … Jason Ruffcorn has a Big 12-best eight saves.

 

[SoonerTraveler]

Friday; April 19, 2019: OU Baseball Drops Opener at Minnesota
http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31000&ATCLID=211800724

MINNEAPOLIS – The Oklahoma baseball team dropped its series opener at Minnesota 8-1 Friday evening at Siebert Field.

The Sooners (25-14), which totaled five hits, scored in the top of the ninth inning on an RBI groundout by junior shortstop Brandon Zaragoza. The Golden Gophers (17-18) scored four runs in the first inning and three runs in the fifth before adding a run in the eighth.

Oklahoma will look to rebound and even the series Saturday when the teams meet at Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.

 

[SoonerTraveler]

Saturday; April 20: Sooners Even Series at Minnesota
http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31000&ATCLID=211800803

MINNEAPOLIS – Backed by excellent pitching from junior Nathan Wiles and a trio of relievers, the Oklahoma baseball team evened the series at Minnesota with a 2-1 victory Saturday afternoon at sunny Target Field.

Wiles (6-2) struck out six and allowed a run on just three hits over 6.1 innings for the Sooners (26-14). Freshman Wyatt Olds, sophomore Ledgend Smith and junior Jason Ruffcorn closed out the final 2.2 frames. Ruffcorn tallied four strikeouts in 1.2 innings and earned his ninth save of the season. The OU pitchers combined for 12 strikeouts and allowed just three hits.

First baseman Tyler Hardman drove in both runs for Oklahoma, drawing a bases-loaded walk in the third inning and driving an RBI double in the fifth inning. The Golden Gophers (17-19) scored their only run on a solo homer by right fielder Easton Bertrand in the bottom of the fifth. Starter Max Meyer (3-3) took the loss for Minnesota.

OU’s win sets up a rubber game at 11 a.m. Sunday back on Minnesota's campus at Siebert Field.

:OU-logo:

 

[SoonerTraveler]

Oklahoma @ Minnesota .. Cool Photos from Target Field

http://www.soonersports.com/PhotoAlbum.dbml?&PALBID=2206206&DB_OEM_ID=31000

:OU-logo:

 

[SoonerTraveler]

Sunday; April 21, 2019: Sooners Claim Series at Minnesota
http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31000&ATCLID=211800891

MINNEAPOLIS – Brady Harlan hit a three-run home run to give the Oklahoma baseball team the lead in the fifth inning and the Sooners closed out a series victory at Minnesota with a 5-2 win Sunday afternoon at Siebert Field.

The big hit was Harlan’s first collegiate home run and put Oklahoma (27-14) ahead 3-2. Catcher Brady Lindsly provided the other two RBIs, driving home third baseman Brylie Ware twice, with a double in the sixth and a groundout in the eighth. The Golden Gophers (17-20) scored single runs in the first and second innings, but OU pitchers tossed seven straight shutout frames.

Weekend Series @ Minnesota
> Friday ...... Lost 1-8
> Saturday .. Won 2-1
> Sunday .... Won 5-2

Games This Week
> Tues, April 23 ... @ Wichita State .. Win 9-4
> Fri, April 26 ...... @ Kansas State .. Win 8-4
> Sat, April 27 .... @ Kansas State .. Lost 2-5
> Sun, April 28 .... @ Kansas State .. Win 6-3 (10 Innings)

:OU-logo:

 

[SoonerTraveler]

Sooners now on 3-Game wiining streak, all on the road.

(4/23/2019) Baseball Wins at Wichita State, 9-4
http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31000&ATCLID=211801277

WICHITA, Kan. – Freshman Jaret Godman pitched 5.0 relief innings and the bottom half of the batting order compiled seven hits and seven RBIs to lead the Oklahoma baseball team to a 9-4 win at Wichita State Tuesday evening at Eck Stadium.

The Sooners (28-14) won their third straight game as they step back into Big 12 conference play at Kansas State this weekend. The combination of second baseman Conor McKenna, shortstop Brandon Zaragoza, right fielder Brady Harlan and center fielder Tanner Tredaway combined for seven hits, six runs scored, seven RBIs and three doubles in the game. Harlan, who reached in all four plate appearances, has now driven in three runs in consecutive games.

With his stellar relief performance, Godman improved to 3-0 on the season. He struck out five batters and allowed one run on three hits and a walk. Calvin Marley allowed two runs in 1.1 relief innings to drop to 0-1 in the loss for the Shockers (20-20).

 

[SoonerTraveler]

(4/26/2019) Baseball Victorious in Opener at K-State
http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31000&ATCLID=211801742

Video Highlights: OU 8, K-State 4
http://www.soonersports.com/mediaPo...D=127257&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=31000&id=6318449

 

[SoonerTraveler]

(4/27/2019) Baseball Falls at Kansas State, Series Even
http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31000&ATCLID=211801827

MANHATTAN, Kan. – The Oklahoma baseball team fell 5-2 Saturday as Kansas State evened the Big 12 series against the Sooners at Tointon Family Stadium.

Catcher Brady Lindsly went 2-for-4 and drove in a run in the third inning that gave Oklahoma (29-15, 7-7 Big 12) the early lead. Right fielder Brady Harlan and first baseman Tyler Hardman scored runs for OU.

Levi Prater (6-4) totaled double-digit strikeouts for the second time this season. The sophomore struck out 11 batters over 6.1 frames but took the loss. KSU starter Caleb Littlejim (5-1) pitched 6.1 innings and earned the win for the Wildcats (21-23, 6-8 Big 12), and Will Brennan earned the save.

Kansas State’s win sets up a rubber game at 1 p.m. Sunday.

“I thought we really fought hard,” Oklahoma head coach Skip Johnson said. “They executed what they needed to execute, and that was the difference in the game. It was a tough day for offense, with the wind blowing across to right field. Their guy hit it right down the line to tie the game. Levi was probably the best he’s been all year, and that was exciting to see.”

:OU-logo:

 

[SoonerTraveler]

(4/28/2019) Sooners Win Series at Kansas State; 6-3 (10 Innings)
http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31000&ATCLID=211801910

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Diego Muniz hit a two-run home run in the top of the 10th inning to give OU the lead and the Oklahoma baseball team claimed the series at Kansas State with a 6-3 win in 10 innings Sunday afternoon at Tointon Family Stadium. The Sooners have won five of their last six and improved to 30-15 overall and 8-7 in Big 12 play.

 

[SoonerTraveler]

Bark in the Park Set for Saturday, May 4
http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31000&ATCLID=211801403

NORMAN – Saturday, May 4 is for the dogs at L. Dale Mitchell Park. The Oklahoma baseball team will host Bark in the Park for the second game of its series against Big 12 rival Texas Tech.

First pitch on May 4 is set for 2 p.m. Fans planning to bring their dog to L. Dale Mitchell Park must sign a waiver form and return it to the marketing table when entering the stadium. Waiver forms must be signed before a dog can enter the stadium.

The first 100 dogs in attendance can receive an OU baseball chew toy. All dogs in attendance will receive a voucher for a snack from the pup concession stand, located inside L. Dale Mitchell Park. A water station will be located inside the park. All dogs and owners must sit on the grass berms down the right field line or left field line inside the park.

The first pitch will be performed by a therapy dog from OU Children’s Hospital. During the game, OU will honor local community K-9 heroes, including a K-9 Patriot of the Game.

Waiver Form:
http://www.soonersports.com/pdf9/5487237.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=31000

******************

2019 Oklahoma Baseball (30-17; 8-9) Remaining Schedule

> Fri; May 3 ... Texas Tech .. Lost 6-10
> Sat; May 4 .. Texas Tech (FSOK) .. Lost 3-7
> Sun; May 5 .. Texas Tech (ESPNU) .. 1 PM (Norman)

> Fri; May 10 ... OSU .. 7 PM (ONEOK Field; Tulsa)
> Sat; May 11 .. OSU .. 7 PM (Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark; OKC)
> Sun; May 12 .. OSU (FSOK+) .. 2 PM (Norman)

Thurs; May 16 .. @ Texas .. 6:30 PM (Austin) LHN
Fri; May 17 ...... @ Texas .. 6:30 PM (Austin) LHN
Sat; May 18 ..... @ Texas .. 2:30 PM (Austin) LHN

May 22-26 Big 12 Tournament; Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark; OKC

:OU-logo:

 

[TulsaWorld]

The latest from Eric Bailey...

Oklahoma
Record: 30-15, 8-7 Big 12

Looking ahead: Oklahoma welcomes Texas Tech to town for a three-game Big 12 series. Games are 6:30 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.

Looking back: The Sooners won two of three games at Kansas State, including a 10-inning triumph in the rubber match. The Wildcats are coached by former OU coach Pete Hughes.

Notable: Cade Cavalli, the typical Friday starter, stepped away from the rotation last weekend after having a stress reaction that doesn’t involve his elbow or shoulder. He’s also not on this weekend’s scheduled starters. … Brandon Zaragoza has a 12-game hitting streak. … Nathan Wiles is 7-2 with a 3.71 ERA. The seven wins sit atop the Big 12. … Levi Prater has 79 strikeouts, which is third in the conference.

 

[SoonerTraveler]

May 3, 2019: Baseball Drops Series Opener to Texas Tech
Texas Tech 10, OU 6
http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31000&ATCLID=211802504

NORMAN – Catcher Brady Lindsly homered and drove in four runs, but the Oklahoma baseball team fell to No. 10 Texas Tech 10-6 Friday night at L. Dale Mitchell Park.

The start of the game was delayed one hour by rain, but when it began Lindsly gave the Sooners (30-16, 8-8 Big 12) a quick advantage with a two-run home run in the first inning. He hit a two-run single in the fifth inning that extend OU’s lead to 6-3. The Red Raiders (31-14, 12-7 Big 12), which led 3-2 in the fourth inning, scored three runs in the seventh and three in the ninth.

“We lost some momentum there in the sixth with a two-run lead when we got men on first and second with no outs and didn’t score,” Oklahoma head coach Skip Johnson said. “That gave the momentum right to their dugout, and that was the difference in the game.”

:OU-logo:

 

[SoonerTraveler]

May 4, 2019: Baseball Falls to Texas Tech Saturday
Texas Tech 7; OU 3
http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=31000&ATCLID=211802557

Sooners get 12 hits, but only score 3 runs, as they fail to get hits with runners in scoring position, a season-long shortcoming. Also, a good performance by the starting pitcher is wasted by the relief pitchers, another season-long shortcoming.

NORMAN – Brady Lindsly homered for the second straight game and Levi Prater allowed one run over six innings, but the Oklahoma baseball team fell to No. 10 Texas Tech 7-3 Saturday afternoon at L. Dale Mitchell Park.

As he did on Friday, Lindsly hit a two-run home run to give the Sooners (30-17, 8-9 Big 12) a 2-0 lead. On Saturday, his fourth homer of the season broke a scoreless contest in the fifth inning. The Red Raiders (32-14, 13-7 Big 12) scored seven runs in the last four innings, including four runs in the seventh.

Prater struck out six batters and allowed just three hits over six frames. Ledgend Smith (0-1) took the loss for OU while reliever Connor Queen (3-0) earned the win for TTU.

:OU-logo: