No. 14 Oklahoma couldn’t overcome a power surge from No. 10 Georgia on Saturday, falling 6-3 in the rubber match at Foley Field to drop the weekend series.
The Sooners (30-13, 11-10 SEC) struck first, grabbing an early 2-0 lead in the second inning thanks to a two-run double from Georgia native Scott Mudler. But the Bulldogs (35-11, 12-9 SEC) responded with four home runs, including a pivotal three-run shot in the sixth, to rally past OU in front of a sold-out crowd of 3,633.
After a quiet first inning from both sides, Oklahoma broke through in the second. Jason Walk was hit by a pitch, freshman Kyle Branch followed with a single, and Mudler delivered his first RBI double of the afternoon to put the Sooners on top.
Georgia answered in the third with a solo home run from Kolby Branch, the first hit allowed by OU starter Malachi Witherspoon. The right-hander turned in another strong outing, striking out seven over six innings while allowing just one earned run on four hits.
The turning point came in the bottom of the sixth. Following a Sooner error, Georgia’s Brennan Hudson launched a three-run home run to left field to give the Bulldogs a 4-2 advantage. The long ball continued to plague OU in the seventh as Kolby Branch and Robbie Burnett each added solo homers, stretching the deficit to 6-2.
Mudler kept the Sooners within striking distance, collecting his second RBI double of the game in the eighth after Sam Christiansen and Kyle Branch drew walks. However, OU stranded two runners in the inning and managed just one baserunner in the ninth before a flyout ended their comeback hopes.
Mudler paced the Oklahoma offense, finishing 2-for-4 with three RBIs and a pair of doubles. Branch added a 2-for-3 day at the plate with a walk. On the mound, the Sooners used three bullpen arms in relief of Witherspoon, with James Hitt, Jason Bodin, and Dylan Crooks combining for the final two innings.
Oklahoma now returns home for a four-game stretch at L. Dale Mitchell Park, beginning Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. CT against Wichita State. The game will be streamed on SECN+ and broadcast on 99.3 FM/1400 AM The REF and The Varsity Network app.
The Sooners will resume SEC play next weekend when they host Ole Miss from May 2-4 in Norman.
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