Final: OU 2, KU 1. W-Choplick (3-1), S-Garza (4). pic.twitter.com/Razgk8IsJW
— Oklahoma Baseball (@OU_Baseball) March 29, 2014
The Oklahoma Sooners were shut out for eight of the nine innings or their game against the Jayhawks on Saturday but the two runs they scored in the to of the fourth were just enough to win thanks to another dominating pitching performance.
Kansas took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third when Justin Protacio scored on a Michael Suiter sacrifice to center field. Facing their second 1-0 deficit in as many days, the Sooners were able to muster enough offense in the top of the fourth to secure their second consecutive come-from-behind victory.
Sheldon Neuse led off the fourth with a single through the left side and then moved to third when Anthony Hermelyn doubled, down the left field line, with the next at bat. They both came home on sacrifices by Hunter Haley and Austin O'Brien to put the Sooners up 2-1 for the second day in a row.
Oklahoma was held to just eight hits in the game with Hermelyn and Niko Buentello recording two each and Neuse, Haley, O'Brien, Craig Aikin providing the other four.
As good as the Jayhawks have been from the mound this weekend, the Sooners have been just a touch better. Sophomore Adam Choplick picked up his third win of the season after going 5.2 innings and allowing just one run on four hits while also striking out six. Drew Krittenbrink pitched two thirds of an inning in relief and was followed by Jacob Evans, Kyle Hayes, and Ralph Garza, Jr. on the mound. Krittenbrink, Hayes, and Garza combined to throw 2.2 innings of no hit ball.
"Our pitching staff has been unbelievably reliable and the saving grace for this team, for the season and for this weekend," Coach Pete Hughes said after the game.
Kansas starter Robert Kahana dropped his season record to 1-4 on the year but threw a respectable 6.1 innings against Oklahoma, in which he allowed just six hits and the two runs.
Saturday's 2-1 win gives OU the series against the Jayhawks with one game still left. Oklahoma is now 20-8 on the season and 4-1 in conference play. The Sooners and Jayhawks will play the series finale on Sunday with a 1:00 pm first pitch.
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