The No. 16 Oklahoma Sooners continued their red-hot start to the 2025 baseball season with a commanding 15-4 victory over Texas Southern on Tuesday afternoon at L. Dale Mitchell Park. The game, which ended in just seven innings due to the run-rule, marked Oklahoma’s best start to a season since 2013 and showcased the team’s offensive firepower and depth.
Balanced Offensive Attack Powers Sooners
Coming off an impressive showing at the Round Rock Classic, where they secured two wins over top-10 opponents, the Sooners wasted no time asserting their dominance against Texas Southern. Every hitter in Skip Johnson’s lineup contributed offensively, with the bottom half of the order playing a pivotal role in the early innings. The 6-9 hitters—Kyle Branch, Dayton Tockey, Gavyn Jones, and Dawson Willis—combined for an 8-for-11 performance through the first four innings, fueling the Sooners’ explosive offense.
Sophomore Jaxon Willits was one of the game’s standout performers, going 2-for-4 with a home run, a triple, and four RBIs. Batting second in the lineup, Willits set the tone for Oklahoma’s offense, delivering key hits in crucial moments.
Another major contributor was Sam Christiansen, who matched Willits’ power display with a home run, a triple, and three RBIs of his own. His three-run blast over the 410-foot sign in right-center field during the second inning helped cap off a seven-run frame for the Sooners.
Explosive Second and Third Innings Seal the Win
Despite Texas Southern taking an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second, Oklahoma quickly responded with an offensive onslaught. In the bottom half of the inning, the Sooners sent 10 batters to the plate and erupted for seven runs. Willits’ three-run homer and Christiansen’s towering blast were the highlights of the inning, turning a brief deficit into a commanding 7-1 advantage.
Oklahoma continued to pile on in the third inning, adding four more runs to extend their lead to 11-1. Jason Walk’s two-run double and Willits’ RBI triple punctuated the frame, further solidifying the Sooners’ control of the game.
The scoring didn’t stop there. Oklahoma tacked on three more runs in the fourth and another in the fifth, bringing their total to 15. By the time the seventh inning rolled around, the 10-run rule came into effect, securing the Sooners’ third run-rule victory of the young season.
Gholston Impresses in First Career Start
Sophomore right-hander Jacob Gholston made his first career start for Oklahoma and delivered a solid performance. Though he battled some early control issues—walking three and hitting two batters—Gholston managed to limit the damage, allowing just four runs over five innings of work.
“I was really proud of Jacob coming in,” Johnson said. “It was his first start, and I’m sure he had a little bit of nerves. But I thought he attacked the strike zone to the best of his ability today. I think he’ll grow and grow from that.”
Gholston’s efforts were aided by stellar run support and clean defense, including two key double plays. He earned the win, thanks in part to the 14-hit explosion from Oklahoma’s offense.
Senior Reid Hensley came on in relief and was dominant, retiring all six batters he faced in the sixth and seventh innings. His perfect two-inning performance secured the victory for the Sooners without further incident.
Kyle Branch Stays Hot
Freshman second baseman Kyle Branch, fresh off being named MVP of the Round Rock Classic, continued his sensational start to the season. He ignited the offense with a leadoff single in the second inning, setting the stage for Oklahoma’s big frame. Branch finished the game hitting .484 on the season, proving to be a key catalyst for the Sooners.
“We knew he was a defender when we recruited him, but what Russell Raley has done offensively with him has been incredible,” Johnson said. “He never deviates from his approach. He stays in the middle of the field and works extremely hard.”
Willits, Branch’s middle infield partner, echoed the praise. “He’s come in like a veteran. He works every day like a veteran. I’m not sure there’s a better person to take over for a three-year starter at second base.”
Defensive Efficiency and Fundamentals Shine
While the offense stole the headlines, Oklahoma’s defensive execution was equally impressive. The Sooners played error-free baseball and turned two timely double plays, showcasing their commitment to fundamentals. Their ability to flash the leather behind Gholston and Hensley ensured Texas Southern never gained any serious momentum.
Looking Ahead
With the win, Oklahoma improved to 7-0 on the season, their best start since beginning 10-0 in 2013. The Sooners also moved to 4-0 at home, outscoring opponents 51-11 at L. Dale Mitchell Park.
Oklahoma will aim to continue its unbeaten streak when they take on Texas Southern (1-7) again on Wednesday at 4 p.m. Freshman right-hander Landon Victorian is expected to make his first career start, as the Sooners look to complete the two-game midweek sweep.
Fans can watch the game on SECN+ or listen live on 99.3 FM/1400 AM The REF or The Varsity Network app.
Final Thoughts
Oklahoma’s dominant performance against Texas Southern reaffirmed their status as a legitimate contender in the 2025 college baseball season. The combination of offensive firepower, steady pitching, and solid defense makes this team one to watch as they look to build on their early-season success. With confidence soaring and contributions coming from every part of the lineup, the Sooners are proving they have the depth and talent to compete at the highest level.
Expectations are high, but as Willits pointed out, the team remains motivated to silence any remaining doubters. “We still have stuff to prove. People will always question whether we’re ready, whether we’re good enough, so we’re still trying to prove something every day.”
With their best start in over a decade, Oklahoma is certainly making a statement—one dominant win at a time.
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