For the second day in a row the Oklahoma Sooners got off to a quick start in their baseball game against the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, and for the second day in a row OU cruised to an easy 11-0 victory over the Golden Lions.
After scoring seven innings in the first frame on Tuesday, Oklahoma struck for three in the first inning on Wednesday afternoon. Lead-off batter Craig Aikin singled up the middle and then advanced to second when Hunter Haley, batting in the two hole, was hit by a pitch. Freshman Sheldon Neuse then stepped up and sent the ball sailing down the left-field line and over the fence for his second home run of the season.
Not satisfied with just a 3-0 lead, the Sooners added two more in the bottom of the second when Craig Aikin knocked in Taylor Alspaugh followed by Haley bringing in Mac James on a sacrifice. OU added another run in the third before giving the scoreboard a break in the fourth. They came back with a vengeance in the fifth though to post five more runs and crush any hopes UAPB had of making a game out of it. Freshman Niko Buentello started the scoring off in the fifth with a two-run shot over the left field wall. Alspaugh, Hecton Lorenzana and Mac James would also cross home plate during the inning to bring Oklahoma their run total of 11.
Wednesday's Big XII Baseball Scores
|
Oklahoma State |
16 |
Alcorn State |
1 |
Stillwater, Okla. |
|
Oklahoma |
11 |
Arkansas-Pine Bluff |
0 |
Norman, Okla. |
The Sooners were just as dominating from the mound on Tuesday as well with a combined seven pitchers throwing nine innings of shutout baseball. Starter Corey Copping went four full innings, allowing four hits while striking out two batters, before giving way to Kindle Ladd. Oklahoma's bullpen went the rest of the way, with new pitchers taking the mound each inning, allowing just two more hits while striking out a total of 9 Arkansas Pine Bluff batters.
Sheldon Neuse capped off his 2 hit/3 RBI day by coming in for the 9th and recording two strike outs to close out the game.
Up next for the Sooners in a trip to Orlando to play in the UCF Tournament. Oklahoma will play against the Citadel at 11:00 AM in Friday's opener.