The Oklahoma Sooners made an emphatic entrance into SEC baseball, securing an 8-5 road victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks in the first game of a three-game series. With the win, the No. 12-ranked Sooners improved to 16-1 (1-0 SEC), continuing their red-hot start to the 2025 season.
Early Offensive Explosion
Right from the outset, Oklahoma’s offense pounced on South Carolina starter Brandon Stone. The Sooners sent nine batters to the plate in the first inning, putting up a four-run frame that set the tone for the night. Jason Walk, Trey Gambill, and Easton Carmichael all singled to start the rally before Jaxon Willits roped a ground-rule double off the center-field wall. Sam Christiansen was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and the Sooners capitalized with an RBI groundout and a sacrifice fly to cap off the big inning. By the time South Carolina came to bat, Oklahoma had built a commanding 4-0 lead.
The offensive fireworks continued in the middle innings. Dasan Harris crushed his first collegiate home run in the fourth, extending the Sooners’ lead to 5-0. After South Carolina managed to scratch across a run in the fifth, Oklahoma responded immediately with a solo home run from Dayton Tockey in the top of the sixth. Dawson Willis joined the home run parade in the eighth, blasting his second long ball of the week to put the finishing touches on the Sooners’ victory.
Witherspoon Stifles Gamecocks Early
On the mound, Oklahoma ace Kyson Witherspoon delivered another strong outing. The right-hander entered the game with a 4-0 record and lived up to expectations, tossing four scoreless frames before South Carolina managed to break through in the fifth. Witherspoon, touching 95-96 mph on the radar gun, kept Gamecock hitters off balance with a devastating mix of fastballs and off-speed pitches. He finished with seven strikeouts over 5.1 innings, allowing three runs on six hits. The performance lowered his ERA to 2.41 on the season, and his strikeout-to-walk ratio now stands at an impressive 47-to-6.
Although Witherspoon faltered in the sixth inning, allowing two earned runs, Oklahoma’s bullpen stepped up. Jason Bodin entered with two runners on and limited the damage, retiring pinch-hitter Jace Woita on a weak grounder to the catcher. Bodin continued to shine in the seventh and eighth innings, inducing double plays in both frames to neutralize South Carolina rallies.
Closing It Out
The Gamecocks (15-4, 0-1 SEC) made a push in the sixth, plating four runs to cut Oklahoma’s lead to 7-5. South Carolina strung together a series of hits and took advantage of a hit-by-pitch to mount their comeback attempt. However, Bodin’s ability to escape further trouble kept the Sooners in control.
In the ninth, Oklahoma turned to closer Dylan Crooks, who calmly worked around a one-out walk to secure his sixth save of the season. The Sooners’ bullpen duo of Bodin and Crooks combined for 3.2 scoreless innings, shutting the door on any hopes of a South Carolina comeback.
Statement Win for Oklahoma
The victory not only marked Oklahoma’s first-ever SEC win in baseball but also reinforced their status as one of the top teams in the nation. Head coach Skip Johnson praised his team’s poise in the hostile environment at Founders Park.
“It’s great,” Johnson told Voice of the Sooners’ Toby Rowland postgame. “Good for the program and good for the University of Oklahoma. Our guys came ready to play, and I’m proud of how they handled the challenge.”
The Sooners’ ability to hit with power, play clean defense, and get timely pitching made the difference in the series opener. The bottom of the lineup played a crucial role, with the 7-8-9 hitters (Tockey, Willis, and Harris) each hitting home runs. Meanwhile, Oklahoma’s defense turned three double plays, preventing South Carolina from sustaining offensive momentum.
What’s Next?
The Sooners will look to clinch the series on Saturday in Game 2, with Malachi Witherspoon taking the mound. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. ET and will be streamed on SEC Network+.
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