From the outset, it did not look like it was going to be the Sooners day. OU starter Damien Magnifico had trouble finding the plate early and lasted just one third of inning allowing four runs (two earned) putting the Sooners in a big hole. Dillon Overton, on just three days rest, came in and settled things down as the Sooners began to chip away at Missouri's lead.
Oklahoma got one back in the second, another in the fourth, and appeared to be in good shape down just four to two. However, the Tigers would get to a tiring Overton loading the bases and eventually plating three runs to take a commanding 7-2 lead. In the following half inning, the Sooners would put up their first crooked number on the day scoring three of their own to make it a 7-5 game.
Then, in the bottom of the sixth, Oklahoma would complete their improbably comeback plating two to tie the game at 7-7. At that point, the Sooners had all of the momentum and a couple chances to take the lead most notably when senior Caleb Bushyhead tried to score from first on a ball hit into the gap only to be gunned down at home.
Oklahoma reliever Steven Okert would find himself in a tough spot in the eighth inning when Missouri would load the bases before recording a single out. Lefty Jake Fisher would be called upon out of the OU bullpen and did just about everything you could ask him to, but just almost. To be fair, given what he came in facing, he was outstanding but he did allow a run to score on a double play where OU was forced to concede what would prove to be the winning run while recording a double play.
Oklahoma, who had experienced more than their share of late inning drama, had a chance once a again in the ninth to score a dramatic victory. Alas, it was not to be Sunday afternoon after Oklahoma got two men on and pinch hitter Chase Simpson representing the Sooners final out. Simpson came through though with a hit through the right side sending the possible game tying run towards home plate. That runner was thrown out at home, but as we would learn shortly thereafter it was irrelevant because Bushyhead, who was on first at the time, was hit by the ball as he was trying to advance and thus ending the game.
Disappointing to be sure given the impressive tournament run Oklahoma managed to put to together, but still a hell of an effort from a Sooner squad who had their share of struggles this year. Equally disappointing that a team bailing on the conference walks away with the tournament championship, but that's just how the cookie crumbles sometimes.
Congrats to the Missouri Tigers who played a heck of a tournament in their own right.