The No. 12 Oklahoma Sooners (15-1) begin their inaugural SEC baseball season with a high-stakes road series against the South Carolina Gamecocks (15-3) at Founders Park from March 14-16. This marquee matchup features two nationally ranked programs with postseason aspirations, making it a must-watch series for college baseball fans.
How to Watch & Listen:
- TV: SECN+ (Dave Weinstein & Grayson Greiner on the call)
- Radio: 99.3 FM/1400 AM The REF (Oklahoma) | The Varsity App (Nationwide)
- Game Times (CT):
- Friday, March 14 – 6:00 p.m.
- Saturday, March 15 – 3:00 p.m.
- Sunday, March 16 – 12:30 p.m.
Oklahoma Sooners: Red-Hot Start to 2025
The Sooners enter SEC play with major momentum, boasting an 11-0 start—their best since 2011. Key early-season wins include an 8-4 victory over No. 7 Oregon State and a thrilling 5-4 extra-inning triumph against No. 2 Virginia at the Round Rock Classic.
Pitching Strength Leading the Way
Oklahoma’s pitching staff has been a difference-maker, posting a 3.55 team ERA (32nd nationally). The weekend rotation features:
- Friday: Kyson Witherspoon (Jr. RHP) – 4-0, 1.17 ERA, 40 K, 5 BB in 23.0 IP
- Saturday: Malachi Witherspoon (Jr. RHP) – 2-0, 4.00 ERA, 17 K in 18.0 IP
- Sunday: Cameron Johnson (So. LHP) – 2-0, 3.93 ERA, 20 K in 18.1 IP
Kyson Witherspoon is the standout ace, ranking fifth nationally in strikeouts (40) and second in the SEC. Closer Dylan Crooks leads the SEC with five saves in six appearances.
Offensive Firepower & Speed
Oklahoma’s offense is dynamic, leading the SEC and ranking sixth nationally with 46 stolen bases. Key contributors include:
- Easton Carmichael (C) – 5 HR, 17 RBIs
- Kyle Branch (2B) – .357 AVG, 20 hits
- Jason Walk (OF) – .357 AVG, reached base in 14 of 15 games
- Sam Christiansen (IF) – SEC leader in on-base percentage (.595)
The Sooners rank top 40 nationally in batting average (.313), slugging percentage (.509), and triples (7).
South Carolina Gamecocks: A Formidable Opponent
South Carolina (15-3) is wrapping up a seven-game homestand and holds a 4-1 all-time record against Oklahoma. Their last meeting came in the 2012 Columbia Super Regional, where South Carolina advanced to the College World Series.
Gamecocks’ Pitching & Key Players
South Carolina owns a strong 3.17 team ERA with 207 strikeouts in 156 innings. Their rotation includes:
- Friday: Brandon Stone (So. RHP) – 1-0, 1.93 ERA, 23 K
- Saturday: Jake McCoy (So. LHP) – 1-1, 4.74 ERA, 38 K
- Sunday: Dylan Eskew (Sr. RHP) – 0-1, 1.69 ERA, 19 K
Star hitter Ethan Petry leads the offense with a .359 average, five home runs, and 20 RBIs. He is closing in on South Carolina’s all-time home run record with 49 career homers.
Series Outlook & What’s at Stake
This series sets the tone for Oklahoma’s SEC journey. The Sooners bring an elite pitching staff and an aggressive offense, while South Carolina boasts strong arms and power hitters. With both teams looking to establish themselves in the conference race, expect a hard-fought, competitive series in Columbia.
Stay tuned for updates, postgame analysis, and key takeaways from Oklahoma’s first SEC baseball series!
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