The Oklahoma Sooners continued their winning ways Wednesday night, securing a 9-5 victory over Louisiana Tech at L. Dale Mitchell Park. The win keeps the momentum rolling for OU as they prepare for their inaugural SEC series against South Carolina.
Early Offensive Explosion Fuels Oklahoma Victory
The Sooners wasted no time jumping on the Bulldogs, using a five-run second inning to take control of the game. Redshirt sophomore Sam Christiansen set the tone with a towering two-run homer to center field, scoring Jaxon Willits to give OU an early 2-0 lead. A hit-by-pitch and a pair of passed balls allowed Kyle Branch to reach third, setting up Dayton Tockey for an RBI single. Jason Walk’s RBI groundout and Trey Gambill’s run-scoring single capped off the explosive inning, pushing the lead to 5-0.
Oklahoma’s offense stayed hot, adding two more runs in the third inning. Scott Mudler drew a bases-loaded walk, followed by a Dawson Willis sacrifice fly to make it 7-1. In the fourth, the Sooners tacked on two more runs via RBI singles from Willits and Branch, extending the lead to 9-1.
Cade Crossland Rebounds on the Mound
Junior left-hander Cade Crossland made his second start of the season and delivered a strong performance after struggling in his last outing against Dallas Baptist. Crossland tossed two innings of one-hit, shutout baseball, striking out four Bulldogs. After laboring through a 27-pitch first inning, he found his rhythm in the second, striking out the side on just 14 pitches.
Crossland’s performance set the tone for an Oklahoma pitching staff that used seven arms throughout the night. Gavyn Jones took over in the third but allowed back-to-back doubles that put Louisiana Tech on the board. The Bulldogs would add three more runs in the later innings, but the Sooners’ early offensive barrage proved too much to overcome.
Key Takeaways from the Sooners’ Win
1. Scoring Early Continues to Pay Off
The Sooners’ ability to put up runs early in games has been a major factor in their success. Through 16 games, Oklahoma has scored 22 runs in the second inning alone, their second-highest scoring inning of the season. By forcing Louisiana Tech into the bullpen early, OU kept the pressure on and maintained control throughout the night.
2. Crossland’s Strong Rebound
After struggling in his previous outing, Crossland delivered exactly what the Sooners needed—a solid two innings to open the game. His ability to limit damage and regain command bodes well as Oklahoma enters SEC play, where pitching depth will be crucial.
3. Jaxon Willits Finding His Groove
Since moving to the cleanup spot in the batting order, Willits has started to see results. The sophomore went 3-for-4 with an RBI and three runs scored, providing a spark in the middle of the lineup. If he continues this production, the Sooners will have another dangerous bat in their already potent offense.
Next Up: SEC Play Begins
With the non-conference portion of their schedule now behind them, the No. 12 Sooners (15-1) turn their attention to SEC competition. They’ll travel to Columbia, South Carolina, for a three-game series against the No. 15 Gamecocks (15-3). First pitch for Friday’s opener is set for 6 p.m. CT and will be streamed on SEC Network+.
Stay tuned for more Oklahoma baseball coverage as the Sooners embark on their first-ever SEC season.
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