Sooners Defeat Texas Plus Sunday Big 12 Scores And Updated Standings

When you put two teams against each other who have the two best pitching staffs in the Big 12 then you're due for some drama. Narrow victories have been the theme for the baseball version of the Red River Rivalry. Oklahoma earned a 2-1 win on Friday night before Texas came back on Saturday to blank the Sooners 1-0, setting up a rubber match on Sunday. Why would we expect the theme of the series to change on Sunday as Oklahoma surged back from a 2-1 deficit to take the game, and the series, from Texas.

Sunday's Big 12 Baseball Scores

Like they did on Friday night, Oklahoma jumped out to a lead but unlike Friday the Sooners would surrender it and then have to mount a comeback. Freshman Kolby Carpenter scored in the top of the first on a throwing error by Texas pitcher Nathan Thornhill to give Oklahoma a 1-0 lead. Texas would respond in the bottom of the third when Erich Weiss tripled to left field, scoring Ben Johnson and Brooks Marlow.

The score would remain at 2-1, Texas, over the next four innings as each team allowed just one hit through that stretch. Then, in the top of the eighth, Oklahoma went back to work. Jack Mayfield, the lead-off batter, reached on a single and was advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt laid down by Craig Aikin. A wild pitch moved Mayfield on to third and then a single by Max White brought him home to tie the game at two runs apiece. Carpenter singled to left field, advancing White to second and giving Hector Lorenzana the opportunity to bring in the go ahead run. His double scored both White and Carpenter to produce the final score of 4-2.

Texas went with just two pitchers, Nathan Thornhill and Corey Knebel, producing eleven strikeouts and allowing eight hits. Oklahoma went by committee to get through the Sunday rotation. The Sooners used five arms, producing eleven strikeouts and allowing just four hits. Starter Adam Choplick recorded a team high five strikeouts in his 2.2 innings of work but was also on the hook for the two Texas runs. Billy Waltrip ended up getting the win after pitching to, and striking out, just one batter. Jacob Evans struck out two Texas batters in the final two frames to record the save.

Big 12 Baseball Standings

The win gives Oklahoma series victories over their first three conference opponents and keeps them in first place in the Big 12 at 7-2. However, you have to wonder about the Sunday starter position and if the Sooners can settle there instead of needing to use a committee like they did on Sunday. It got the job done but is it viable for the long haul?

Oklahoma plays again next weekend when they face the Baylor Bears in Waco.