The Oklahoma Sooners continued their dominant start to the 2025 season by completing a three-game sweep over Sam Houston on Sunday, securing a 7-3 win in the first game of a doubleheader before staging a thrilling 9-7 comeback victory in the finale. With the sweep, the Sooners improved to an impressive 14-1 on the season, while the Bearkats fell to 3-12.
Game One: Sooners Ride Strong Pitching to 7-3 Victory
Oklahoma set the tone early in the first game as sophomore left-handed pitcher Cameron Johnson delivered a career-best performance. After allowing a leadoff single in the first inning, Johnson settled in, striking out five of his next six batters. The Sooners took an early lead in the bottom of the first when sophomore Jason Walk scored on a passed ball after drawing a leadoff walk.
Sam Houston evened the score in the top of the third with an RBI single, but OU responded immediately in the home half. Sophomore Jaxon Willits blasted a solo home run—his fourth of the season—to put the Sooners back in front. Junior Easton Carmichael followed with an RBI double, and redshirt sophomore Sam Christiansen added a sacrifice fly, giving OU a 4-1 lead.
The Bearkats cut the deficit to 4-2 in the fourth inning, but Oklahoma’s offense continued to apply pressure. In the bottom of the sixth, back-to-back RBI doubles from junior Dawson Willis and Dayton Tockey extended the Sooners’ advantage to 6-2. Willis later capped off the scoring with a solo home run in the eighth, his first as a Sooner, securing the 7-3 victory.
Johnson (2-0) was outstanding on the mound, finishing with a career-high eight strikeouts over five innings, allowing just two runs on four hits and two walks. The Sooners’ bullpen took care of the rest, with Michael Catalano, Jaden Barfield, James Hitt, and Reid Hensley combining to limit Sam Houston to one run over the final four innings.
Game Two: Sooners Rally for 9-7 Win in Seven-Inning Thriller
In the nightcap, Oklahoma found itself in an early hole, but a seven-run fourth inning powered the Sooners to a comeback victory in the seven-inning contest.
OU grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first thanks to a sacrifice fly from Willits, but Sam Houston responded with five runs over the next three innings. A wild pitch in the second allowed the Bearkats to tie the game, and two sacrifice flies in the third put them ahead. A two-run homer in the fourth extended Sam Houston’s lead to 5-1.
The Sooners, however, erupted in the bottom of the fourth, sending 11 batters to the plate and tallying seven runs on six hits. Freshman Kyle Branch started the rally with a walk, followed by a single from Drew Dickerson. Senior Scott Mudler drove in the first run of the inning with an RBI single, and Willis added an RBI double. Walk delivered a game-tying, two-run single before Carmichael’s RBI single pushed Oklahoma ahead. Willits and Christiansen followed with an RBI groundout and RBI single, respectively, capping the outburst and giving the Sooners an 8-5 lead.
Sam Houston fought back in the sixth, scoring twice to cut the deficit to one. However, Carmichael provided some insurance in the bottom half of the inning, launching his team-leading fifth home run of the season to make it 9-7.
OU’s bullpen shut the door, with senior closer Dylan Crooks stranding a runner in the seventh to earn his fifth save of the year. Sophomore reliever Gavyn Jones (1-0) picked up his first win as a Sooner, tossing 1.1 scoreless innings with a strikeout. Starting pitcher Malachi Witherspoon struggled, allowing five runs on five hits over 3.2 innings, but OU’s bullpen held strong, with Jason Bodin and Crooks combining to finish the contest.
Takeaways from Oklahoma’s Sweep
1. Dominant Pitching Continues to Set the Tone
Oklahoma’s pitching staff continues to be a strength, with Johnson delivering a standout performance in Game 1 and the bullpen stepping up in key moments throughout the series. The Sooners have multiple arms capable of delivering quality outings, giving them an edge heading into SEC play.
2. The Offense Remains Versatile and Explosive
The Sooners showcased their offensive depth, with contributions coming from up and down the lineup. Carmichael, Willis, and Willits all homered on Sunday, while Walk, Mudler, and Christiansen provided timely hits. The team’s ability to string together big innings, as seen in the seven-run fourth inning in Game 2, makes them a dangerous opponent.
3. Oklahoma’s Resilience is a Key Strength
After suffering their first loss of the season to Dallas Baptist earlier in the week, the Sooners bounced back in impressive fashion. Even when trailing 5-1 in Game 2, OU remained composed and executed a relentless offensive attack to reclaim control. This level of resilience will be crucial as the schedule gets tougher.
What’s Next for the Sooners?
Oklahoma will wrap up its homestand on Wednesday with a matchup against Louisiana Tech (9-7) at L. Dale Mitchell Park. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. CT, with the game available on SECN+ and The Varsity Network.
With SEC play looming, the Sooners will look to keep their momentum going as they continue to prove themselves as one of the nation’s top teams.
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