No. 10 Oklahoma (18-2, 2-1 SEC) is set to host Mississippi State (14-7, 0-3 SEC) in a historic matchup at L. Dale Mitchell Park this weekend. This marks the Sooners’ first SEC home series as they look to continue their strong start in conference play. The three-game set kicks off Friday at 6:30 p.m. CT, with Saturday and Sunday games following at 4 p.m. and 2 p.m., respectively. Fans can catch the action on SECN+ with Chad McKee and Rich Hills or tune into 99.3 FM/1400 AM The REF or The Varsity app for radio coverage.
Series at a Glance
- Friday: 6:30 p.m. CT – SECN+ | Radio: The REF
- Saturday: 4:00 p.m. CT – SECN+
- Sunday: 2:00 p.m. CT – SECN+
- Location: L. Dale Mitchell Park, Norman, OK
Scouting the Sooners
Oklahoma has been dominant to start the 2025 season, boasting an 18-2 record and sitting at No. 6 in the NCAA RPI rankings. The Sooners took two of three at South Carolina last weekend in their SEC debut, capped by a dramatic 10-inning win in the series finale. At home, Oklahoma has been unbeatable, sitting at a perfect 13-0 while outscoring opponents 116-45.
Key Players
- Kyson Witherspoon (RHP): 5-0, 1.91 ERA, 47 K, 6 BB
- Malachi Witherspoon (RHP): 2-1, 5.73 ERA, 22 K, 14 BB
- Cade Crossland (LHP): 1-1, 4.70 ERA, 20 K, 9 BB
- Jaxon Willits (INF): 6 HR, .307 AVG
- Kyle Branch (2B): .366 AVG, 6 XBH, 15 RBI
- Easton Carmichael (C): 12 XBH, 22 RBI
The Sooners’ offense is clicking, hitting .307 as a team with 24 home runs and 50 stolen bases. They rank second in the SEC in stolen bases and have shown a knack for late-game heroics, including last weekend’s comeback win at South Carolina.
Scouting the Bulldogs
Mississippi State enters the series looking for its first SEC win after being swept by Texas in its conference opener. The Bulldogs rebounded with a 16-3 win over Jackson State earlier this week and are one of the top strikeout teams in the country. MSU’s pitching staff boasts a 3.28 ERA while ranking second nationally with 12.9 K/9.
Key Players
- Pico Kohn (LHP): 3-0, 3.03 ERA, 43 K, 5 BB
- Ben Davis (RHP): 1-1, 3.26 ERA, 24 K, 8 BB
- Karson Ligon (RHP): 2-2, 3.57 ERA, 27 K, 6 BB
- Noah Sullivan (OF): .409 AVG, 27 H
- Aaron Downs (OF): 7 HR, .333 AVG
- Ace Reese (OF): 27 RBI, .340 AVG
The Bulldogs’ offense has been explosive, hitting .318 with 35 home runs and averaging eight runs per game. They are aggressive on the base paths (30 stolen bases) and have one of the top defenses in the SEC with a .978 fielding percentage.
Pitching Matchups
- Friday: Kyson Witherspoon (OU) vs. Pico Kohn (MSU)
- Saturday: Cade Crossland (OU) vs. Ben Davis (MSU)
- Sunday: Malachi Witherspoon (OU) vs. Karson Ligon (MSU)
What’s at Stake?
For Oklahoma, this series is a chance to make a statement in its first SEC home weekend. The Sooners’ pitching has been solid, and their offense has been potent at home. Mississippi State, meanwhile, looks to avoid an 0-6 conference start and prove they can compete against a top-10 opponent. Expect a competitive and high-energy series as both teams battle for positioning in the loaded SEC race.
Follow us on X: @SportsHeartland