Oklahoma dropped the first game of Sunday’s doubleheader with Arkansas State in a 15-14 slugfest where they seemingly couldn’t find a way to throw a clean inning. The second game of the day was a different story.
The Sooners kept the bats rolling putting up nine more runs, but were delivered a sorely-needed clutch start from left-hander Jake Bennett who tossed five solid innings allowing just one run and two hits while striking out six. He picked up the win for his effort to go to 2-1 on the year.
Oklahoma never had one overly huge inning, instead just steadily keeping things moving all night long. In fact, they scored in every single inning except for the bottom of the eighth.
Second baseman Conor McKenna picked up an RBI double in the first to get the ball rolling, then shortstop Brandon Zaragoza drove in a run on a fielder’s choice in the second. Center fielder Tanner Tredaway and third baseman Peyton Graham each picked up run-scoring hits in the next two innings to keep the lead growing.
In the fifth, Connor Beichler had an two-RBI double followed by another driven in on a Zaragoza knock for the Sooners biggest inning of the day with three runs in the frame. Left fielder Diego Muniz and McKenna would both get RBI hits before games end to bring the final score to 9-1.
After Bennett’s solid five innings of work, Jaret Godman and Carson Carter teamed up to dominate the final four innings throwing two each and allowing one total hit and striking out seven. The bullpen shut the door in a major way on Sunday night.
Now at 7-7, Oklahoma has a chance to take the series and get back above .500 in the rubber match on Monday afternoon. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. CT at L. Dale Mitchell Park.
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