The Oklahoma Sooners started climbing the rankings of Baseball America just before the season was cut short. Behind a few dominant performances and a budding offense, it appeared as though the program remained primed for Big 12 Championship run. Despite the cancelation of all Spring sports, on hurler let fans with a memorable moment.
Looking back on the year that was, Acker earned Baseball America’s nod for best pitching performance of 2020!
The best pitching performance we saw this year?
— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) March 30, 2020
That'd be @OU_Baseball's Dane Acker going to one of the premier early-season tournaments and throwing a no-no against a ranked LSU team.
Here's our Top 25 outings of 2020: https://t.co/P09eLYNsXe pic.twitter.com/NQCZhi5mm4
Stepping onto the bump against the ranked LSU Tigers on March 1, Dane Acker quickly showcased control and accuracy. Making quick work of each batter, the pitcher tossed a mere 117 pitches in nine innings of work. The most impressive portion of the performance was undoubtedly the refusal to allow a hit. In the same span, Acker collected eleven strikeouts alongside a 1-0 victory.
Producing the first no-hitter in program history since 1989, Acker etched his name in the record books. Following suit, the Tigers suffered their first no-hitter since 1978. Looking at all the numbers, it no wonder Baseball America labeled the outing the best of the shortened 2020 season.