Sooner Baseball: Sunday DHer --> 2 Wins, 4-3 Duke & 6-4 UConn

[OUBeliever56A]

The Oklahoma Sooners survived the Sunday doubleheader behind some timely offense and two big efforts on the mound.

The Sooners defeated Duke in the first game that was delayed about two hours due to rain. OU won 4-3 as the Sooners shut down a late rally by Duke. Grant Stevens, for the Sooners, turned in a tremendous starting effort on the mound as he pitched 7.0 innings and allowed just 1 run with 6 hits and 2 walks with 7 Ks and got the Win. After allowing an RBI single in the first inning to Duke, Stevens was money for the Sooners. The Sooners went to the bullpen in the 8th and gave up a two run HR before Malachi Witherspoon was brought in the 8th inning to pitch the final 1.2 innings to pick up the save. Witherspoon allowed no base runners and had 1 K.

On offense, a 3-run 2nd inning was the key. Two walks and a single set up Walk's 3-run triple to put OU up 3-1. Then three singles added an insurance run in the 7th. That run ended up being the winning run. Snyder had the key RBI single in the 7th.

The Sooners then took the field vs UConn in the nightcap. Oklahoma sent Girtin to the hill to start the game. He gave up 2 runs in the first inning and then walked the leadoff hitter in the 2nd inning. Coach Skip Johnson went to the bullpen and brought in Lodes. UConn scored a run in the 2nd but it was an unearend run. With the score 3-1, Lode turned into a stopper for the Sooners as he pitched 7.0 innings of relief 3 hits, 2 walks and picked up 7 Ks and gave up 1 run in the 8th. The run was an unearend run as a foul fly ball was dropped as Lodes and Mudler collided and did not catch the ball. The same batter then hit a solo HR off of Lodes. Lodes finished the 8th with a 6-4 lead and got the win. Lambert pitched the 9th for the Sooners and retired UConn in 1, 2, 3 fashion for the save.

For the Sooner offense, after two walks, Mudler singled in a run to cut the Husky lead to 2-1. In the top of the 3rd inning, Snyder hit a 2-run HR to tie the ballgame up at 3-3 for the Sooners. The game decided 8th inning had Oklahoma getting a single and a walk before an RBI-single by Mudler. After a walk to load the bases, Madron doubled to LC and played 3 runs on the hit, we thought. Then UConn, appealed that a Sooner runner did not touch 3B. On review that was confirmed as the 3rd out of the inning. Just two runs counted. That gave OU the 6-3 lead in the game.

The HR after the dripped foul fly ball followed to make the score 6-4 as the final for the OU win.

Two big wins, with two important efforts by Stevens and Lodes and enough offense to win both games.

Today, the Sooners and the Huskies play again at 8 PM tonight. The first question is who gets the ball and starts the game for OU? As for starting pitchers that have been normally used, only Hitt is available. Maybe Kyson Witherspoon could start after two days rest and pitch 2 or 3 innings on a normal throwing day. Girton, after pitching 1+ inning yesterday could provide 2 or 3 innings also. But the Sooner pen is fairly well rested. I would say that Lambert, Hensley, Atwood, Crooks, Campbell and M Witherspoon are all good to go. I would think that Kyson Witherspoon might get the ball to start and the Sooners patch together the 4th thru the 9th innings with relivers today.

As for UConn. They are in the same sort of shape. Maybe Friday's starter, Cooke can go for a 2 or 3 innings. Maybe Coe can return from yesterday to pitch an inning or two. Other than that it is going to be relivers for UConn today. I think Oklahoma may have an edge in available arms to pitch today.

Good luck to the Sooners as they try to battle back and win the Norman Regional from the loser's bracket.

Boomer Sooner!