Fresh off an exhilarating series win at South Carolina, the No. 10 Oklahoma Sooners (17-2, 2-1 SEC) return home to L. Dale Mitchell Park for a Tuesday night matchup against UT Arlington (6-10). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT, with the game streaming on SECN+ and airing locally on 99.3 FM/1400 AM The REF and nationwide on The Varsity app.
Sooners Continue Strong Start in 2025
The Sooners have been one of the most dominant teams in the nation to start the season, racking up a 17-2 record and an undefeated 12-0 mark at home. OU opened the season 11-0—its best start since 2011—and already boasts two top-10 wins over Oregon State and Virginia.
After winning their first-ever SEC series on the road at South Carolina, the Sooners are riding high. They clinched the series in dramatic fashion Sunday, rallying in the ninth before Jason Walk’s clutch 10th-inning home run sealed the victory.
Oklahoma is now ranked No. 10 in the latest D1Baseball poll and holds its highest position at No. 8 in the Perfect Game USA rankings. The Sooners also rank No. 9 in the NCAA RPI, the fourth-best mark in the powerhouse SEC.
Pitching Powerhouse: Witherspoon Twins Leading the Rotation
OU’s pitching staff has been electric, ranking among the nation’s best with a 3.95 team ERA.
- Kyson Witherspoon (RHP, 5-0) has been dominant, boasting 47 strikeouts to just six walks in five starts. The Golden Spikes Preseason Watch List honoree has recorded a career-high 12 Ks twice this season and owns an impressive 0.70 WHIP.
- Malachi Witherspoon (RHP, 2-1) and Cameron Johnson (LHP, 2-0) have also contributed solid performances in the rotation.
- Closer Dylan Crooks has been lights out, leading the nation with six saves.
The Sooners have struck out 193 batters while holding opponents to just 81 total runs.
Offensive Firepower: Carmichael, Willits, Walk Leading the Charge
OU’s offense is outscoring opponents 144-81 and features a balanced attack:
- Easton Carmichael (5 HR, 21 RBI) and Jaxon Willits (5 HR) lead the team in power production.
- Jason Walk has been a sparkplug at the top of the order, recording hits in 16 of 18 games.
- Kyle Branch (.358 AVG) has impressed as a freshman, while Sam Christiansen leads the team with 22 walks, ranking third in the SEC.
- The Sooners also thrive on the basepaths, ranking second in the SEC with 48 stolen bases.
Scouting UT Arlington
The Mavericks enter the game at 6-10, looking to snap a seven-game losing streak against Oklahoma. UTA has struggled in recent years against the Sooners, last defeating OU on April 24, 2014 in a 6-5 victory in Norman. Overall, the Sooners lead the all-time series 27-12, including 16-5 in Norman.
Despite their record, UTA has played one of the toughest schedules in their conference, facing teams with a combined 147-119 record.
Mavericks to Watch:
- Tyce Armstrong (3 HR, 16 RBI, .313 AVG) – UTA’s top hitter leads the team in home runs, RBIs, hits, and total bases. He went 4-for-4 in a recent win over Little Rock.
- Caylon Dygert (RHP) & Caden Noah (RHP) – The duo combined for 14 strikeouts in a win over UL Monroe, marking the Mavericks’ most strikeouts in a game this season.
- Young Talent – The Mavericks roster includes five true freshmen and 23 additional newcomers, making them a team still building chemistry.
UTA’s Keys to Victory:
- Scoring first is crucial. Last season, UTA was 14-9 when scoring first but 13-2 when out-hitting opponents. This year, they’re 4-3 when scoring first and 4-1 when collecting more hits.
- Can their pitching staff step up? UTA’s pitching has been inconsistent, but when they get strong outings (such as 14 Ks vs. UL Monroe), they have the potential to compete.
- Experience vs. youth. With a mix of veteran leaders and newcomers, UTA will need to rely on their upperclassmen to handle a hostile environment in Norman.
What to Watch For
- Can OU’s pitching staff continue its dominance at home? The Sooners have allowed just 39 runs in 12 home games.
- Will Kyson Witherspoon add another double-digit strikeout game? The ace ranks fifth in the nation in total strikeouts.
- Can UTA break its losing streak against Oklahoma? The Mavericks haven’t beaten OU in over a decade.
- Will the Sooners keep their perfect home record? OU is 12-0 at L. Dale Mitchell Park, outscoring opponents 109-39.
Fan Promotions & Ticket Info
Tuesday night is “$2 Tuesday” at L. Dale Mitchell Park, featuring $2 concessions on soda, beer, hot dogs, and popcorn. Tickets are available at SoonerSports.com/tickets.
Final Thoughts
With momentum on their side, the No. 10 Sooners look to stay hot against a struggling UT Arlington squad. OU’s dominant pitching staff, powerful lineup, and home-field advantage should make them heavy favorites, but the Mavericks will aim to pull off an upset.
Catch all the action at 6:30 p.m. CT on SECN+ or 99.3 FM/1400 AM The REF.
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