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OU Baseball: Oklahoma Blown Out By Cowboys in Big 12 Tournament Rematch

The Sooners couldn't find Wednesday night's magic, as the Cowboys cruised to another easy Bedlam victory.
Ross Lovelace|
OU Baseball: Oklahoma Blown Out By Cowboys in Big 12 Tournament Rematch
OU Baseball: Oklahoma Blown Out By Cowboys in Big 12 Tournament Rematch

Oklahoma State has been a thorn in Oklahoma’s side all season long. 

It looked like the Sooners had finally slain the giant once and for all on Wednesday night, but the Cowboys on Friday got the final laugh in Bedlam round six. 

Oklahoma State took care of business with ease, coasting to an 8-3 win and eliminating the Sooners.

Once again, the Sooners (31-26, 11-13) outhit the Cowboys 10-8 and still got embarrassed on the scoreboard. Oklahoma couldn't generate enough big plays to send runners home, which has become a consistent theme.

John Spikerman led the Sooners with two RBIs, going 2-for-4 in his appearances at the plate. Rocco Garza-Gongora also added two hits in three tries.

The Sooners started off the first inning in a quiet manner going three up and threw down off the bat. The scoreless, flat first inning set the tone for the rest of the game.

Oklahoma State (39-17, 15-9 Big 12) stayed off the board in the first inning, too, but the Cowboys made up for it in a big way during the second frame.

After Will Carsten walked the first OSU batter, Colin Brueggemann found a gap through the right side, putting a runner on second. Then, David Mendham stepped up to the plate and crushed a three-run bomb to left field immediately giving the Cowboys a 3-0 advantage. 

From there, Marcus Brown was hit by a pitch and Zach Ehrhard was walked, setting up Roc Riggio for an RBI single to center field. Carson Benge’s sacrifice fly out on the next at-bat scored another run.

All in all, Oklahoma allowed three hits and five runs in the first inning. The Sooners dug a massive hole early on that was impossible to crawl out of. Heading to the third inning, Oklahoma State held a commanding 5-0 lead.

The Sooners’ defense in the field tried to turn things around in the third and fourth innings, allowing zero hits and putting away six consecutive Oklahoma State batters. Jett Lodes felt in control, throwing strikes and finding a way to put the ball back in the hands of Oklahoma’s offense.

It didn’t matter, though, as the Sooners couldn’t take advantage of the impressive pitching display. Oklahoma matched OSU on the scoreboard, putting up zero runs and one hit throughout both innings.

In the fifth inning, it looked like the Sooners found life, loading the bases with just a single out on the board. Spikerman was hit by a pitch, bringing a runner home across the plate, setting up Kendall Pettis for a big-time opportunity. He grounded into a double play, though, ending the inning and Oklahoma’s chance to pull closer.

The Cowboys quickly loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth inning, setting Riggio up for another chance to deliver. He hit a fly ball to left field, allowing a run to score and extending Oklahoma State’s lead. Heading to the seventh, the Cowboys led 6-1.

The seventh inning was a busy one for both teams, as the Sooners and Cowboys combined for six runs.

After Nicklaus was hit by pitch to start the frame, Clark was walked and Garza-Gongora was drilled from the mound, loading the bases for Oklahoma. Spikerman's single scored Jackson Nicklaus and Pettis’ groundout scored Clark as the Sooners inched closer on the scoreboard. That was the end of the party, though, as Bryce Madron and Dakota Harris struck out back-to-back to follow.

Oklahoma State’s seventh inning attack was led by Mendham, who once again found a way to get the job done. His single to center field and a poor throw by the Sooners allowed two runs to score, and Oklahoma’s big inning didn’t make a mark on the final tally.

Both the eighth and the ninth inning ended scoreless, as the Cowboys clung to a steady five-run lead. Oklahoma’s two hits in the ninth led to no runs on the board and the Cowboys eliminated the Sooners once and for all.

Now, the waiting game begins. 

Oklahoma's meltdown against Texas Tech and a shellacking to Oklahoma State certainly won't help the Sooners postseason odds, but the team remains on the NCAA Tournament bubble. 

The selection show is Monday at 11 a.m.

Published
Ross Lovelace
ROSS LOVELACE

Ross has covered the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Oklahoma Sooners since 2018. He's made guest appearances on various radio stations and the Sooners On SI podcast. Ross enjoys public speaking and has done so at multiple churches and high schools across the OKC metro area. In addition to writing, Ross has been the Play-by-Play announcer for Crossings’ basketball and football programs since 2020. In high school, Ross started with Thunder Digest, where he discovered his passion for writing. From there, he worked for the OU Daily as a women's basketball reporter and worked for Sooners On SI and Thunder On SI. Ross holds a bachelor's degree in Public Relations and a minor in Communication from the University of Oklahoma. Born and raised in Oklahoma City, Ross played basketball and wrote for his own Thunder blog at Crossings High School in OKC. He enjoys reading, New York Jets football and a week at the beach. Ross and his wife live in New Orleans, where he is a Marketing and Volunteer Coordinator at the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation and the New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee. His Twitter handle is @Rosslovelace.

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