The Oklahoma Sooners (24-1) returned to their spot as the consensus No. 1 team after splitting the rankings with Texas last week. This weekend they go on the road for the first time this month to face one of the better teams in the country.
The [autotag]Texas Tech Red Raiders[/autotag] are 21-5 and 6-1 at home this season. They are receiving votes but are just outside the top 25. While every game presents challenges, this one is going to be tough for Oklahoma and, specifically, its pitching staff.
The Red Raiders have scored 190 runs, which averages to just over seven runs a game. They’re third in the Big 12 in runs and home runs, behind Oklahoma and Texas. For comparison, Oklahoma averages 8.5 runs per game.
Patty Gasso was asked about the challenge they’ll face this weekend.
“Any team we play that has a bat in their hand is going to be a challenge for us, and that’s the way we’ll look at it,” Gasso said. “We’re going to have to be pretty pinpointed. We’re not going to try to outhit them. We’re just going to be us. Trusting that will be good enough.”
Typically, Oklahoma just being itself has been good enough. In the one loss this year, the Sooners weren’t themselves and it showed. This is when we will find out what this pitching staff is made of and which pitchers start to separate themselves.
There is no doubt these are measuring-stick games, and it’s going to be must-see television this weekend.
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