Jacob Evans struggled again in his second start of the season and things were looking bleak for the Sooners until a weather delay gave them time to collect themselves and refocus. Evans put three batters on base by hitting them with a pitch and the Citadel led Oklahoma 3-0 at the end of the second inning. Then the rains came in and the two teams were sent to their respective locker rooms.
In the first at bat following the delay Mac James, playing the DH role, sent the first pitch he faced for a ride over the left field fence and the Sooners were back on track. Oklahoma put two runs on the board in the third to take draw to within a 3-2 score of the Bulldogs and then they took the lead in the fifth when Sheldon Neuse singled to the left side, bringing in Craig Aikin for the second run of the evening.
The Sooners would plate five more runs over the next three innings to seemingly take control of the game at 9-3 midway through the 8th, then the rains came down again for a second delay.
This time it would be the Citadel who came out on fire after the break giving Oklahoma more than enough reason to be nervous. Scoring two runs in the bottom of the 8th and then two more in the 9th the Bulldogs closed the gap to 9-7 but that's all they would get.
Oklahoma used six pitchers in the game with Kyle Hayes picking up his first win of the season. The Bulldogs scored their seven runs off eleven hits but the trio of Hayes, Kindle Ladd, and Ralph Garza Jr. combined for 5.2 scoreless innings, which was enough for the Sooners to build their lead.
Up next for the Sooners is the host team, UCF. The game will be played at 5:00 on Saturday evening.