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Sooners Come From Behind For Kleberg Classic Championship

Things haven't always come easy for Oklahoma's baseball team. In fact, for the second Sunday in a row the Sooners found themselves in need of a big hit late in the game to preserve their perfect record an once again it was a veteran leader coming through in the clutch. Last week the heroics belonged to junior Matt Oberste and this week it was senior Jack Mayfield leading OU to victory on the last day of the weekend.

Kyle Laferriere-US PRESSWIRE

New Mexico took an early 1-0 lead on the Sooners when DJ Peterson sent a pitch from Oklahoma's Billy Waltrip over the left field fence for a two-out solo home run. It wasn't the only that fence would be breached during the day. OU jumped back in the bottom of the inning to post five runs themselves aided by a three-run homer by Matt Oberste, who also sent the ball over the left field fence.

Sunday's Kleberg Classic Scored

Oklahoma 10, New Mexico 8

Iowa 4, TAMCC 2

The Lobos would start working their way back by cutting into the deficit beginning in the fourth inning. They cut the lead to 5-2 when Peterson came home again. This time he was aided by Lu Campbell who knocked him in with a single. They would then add two runs in the fifth and another in the sixth to tie the game up at 5-5. Things appeared to be out of control in the top of the seventh when New Mexico scored three more runs to take an 8-5 lead. The final run for the Lobos came at the expense of the left field wall again when Alex Real sent the ball packing for the game's third home run.

Having been outscored 7-0 since the end of the first inning it was gut check time for Oklahoma. The Sooners were faced with the task of switching momentum back in their favor or suffering their first loss of the season. A lesser team may have given up and thrown in the towel but Oklahoma chose to break out their bats.

Sunday's Big 12 Baseball Scores

Elon 4, Kansas State 3

Oklahoma 10, New Mexico 8

Texas 2, Nebraska 0

Oklahoma State 5, New Jersey Inst. Tech 2

Connecticut 1, Texas Tech 0

Cal State Fullerton 7, TCU 0

UCLA 5, Baylor 4

Wake Forest 11, West Virginia 3

Jack Mayfield started off the bottom of the seventh with a single to left field. He would score on a Max White double to represent Oklahoma's first run since the opening frame. White would also come home during the seventh to pull Oklahoma to within 8-7.

Freshman Ralph Garza Jr. retired the side in order in the top of the eighth and it appeared that the Sooners would suffer the same fate with their at bat during the bottom half of the inning. Anthony Hermelyn popped out and Kolbey Carpenter grounded in Oklahoma's first two at bats. Hector Lorenzana reached on a double to left and then advance to third on a wild pitch. Craig Aikin drew a walk, with the next at bat, to give the Sooners runners on the corners with two outs.

Jack Mayfield jumped on the first pitch offered by Josh Walker, who had just come into the game to throw to him, and sent the ball back over the left field fence once again. It was the fourth time the ball had left the park on the day but it was also the most significant. The three-RBI dinger put the Sooners on top 10-8 and Garza would seal the win by retiring the side again in the top of the ninth.

The win improved Oklahoma's season record to 9-0. This team has shown a knack for finding a way to win and has proven over and again that they have solid chemistry.

There is no mid-week series for the Sooners this week. They will return home during the weekend for a three-game set against Pepperdine beginning on Friday.