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By George Kopf
Sooners win slugfest, Golden Bears dominate in run-rule
Game 1: Oklahoma 15, Mississippi State 9
Sooners’ offense explodes for 18 hits in an offensive slugfest
Perfect weather made for an offensive showing on Saturday. In a line score that would be more appropriate for the gridiron, Oklahoma outlasted Mississippi State 15-9.
The Sooners mainly did their damage in bunches, scoring three in the second, five in the third, and four in the fifth. Catcher Easton Carmichael’s 3-run blast in the second got things started, while pinch hitter Rocco Garza-Gongora’s 3-run dinger highlighted the third inning. Five hits in the fifth added more insurance to a one-run lead at the time.
“I think momentum is contagious,” said Oklahoma head coach Skip Johnson. “Hitting is contagious. The momentum will start carrying and keep carrying. Squaring the ball up is really key when [momentum shifts],” Johnson added.
As for the Bulldogs, the bats came alive after a poor showing on Friday, where they only managed three hits. Saturday afternoon saw Mississippi State leave the yard twice and scratched nine runs across the board.
“We had opportunities all day long and we could’ve made that game a whole lot closer,” Mississippi State head coach Chris Lemonis said.
Left fielder Bryan Chance and catcher Ross Highfill, the two freshmen in the Bulldog lineup, played well in the loss. Highfill launched his first career home run while Chance drove in two runs batting in the three-spot, proving the future is bright in Starkville.
“Our young guys are playing well,” Lemonis remarked. “We are a young team, but it is still SEC baseball. We had opportunities all day long, and could’ve made that game closer.”
Conversely, Oklahoma will have an opportunity to go 3-0 and win the Frisco Classic on Sunday.
“Every time they scored, we scored, which was really big,” Johnson said.
Game 2: California 16, Ohio State 1
Golden Bears prowl on Buckeye pitching, complete 7-inning run-rule
A 10-run fifth inning, punctuated by first baseman Peyton Schulze’s grand slam, propelled California to a 15-1 run-rule victory over Ohio State.
The two teams agreed to having the run-rule be in effect prior to first pitch. A long, nine-batter first inning for California set the tone for a potential run-rule to take place. The Golden Bears plated five runs on five singles in the opening frame.
“To have a ten-run inning, and stay disciplined in that fifth and then tack one on in the sixth, to me that is just as impressive to do that,” California head coach Mike Neu said.
Junior RHP Paulshawn Pasqualotto threw four strong innings to complement the offensive attack and certainly help the Golden Bears cruise.
“It’s always great to start with a lead,” Neu said. “You can get a little more aggressive with pitching. You can play a little more free, and our pitchers did a really good job with that.”
The single run that Ohio State was a sight to behold. Marcus Ernst got a hold of a fastball, depositing it into the lazy river in right field.
“He’s got good power,” said Ohio State head coach Bill Mosiello. “It’s good to see him
get going, I like where we’re at, overall just a tough day.”
The run-rule marked the first time the Buckeyes have lost in that fashion this season and the first one in five years.
“It’s just one of those days that you know will happen but you hope they wouldn’t, “ Mosiello said.
UP NEXT:
Mississippi State vs. California (11:00am/Sunday)
Ohio State vs. Oklahoma (3:00pm/Sunday)
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