Jake Elliott shook off a bad start and Austin O'Brien shook off a bad slump as the Oklahoma Sooners rallied to win the first of their three-game series against Texas, in Austin, 3-2. The Longhorns' first three batters reached safely against Elliott, Oklahoma's starting pitcher, thanks to a lead-off single by Joe Baker and back-to-back hit by pitches on Brooks Marlow and Ben Johnson. Tres Barrera, the fourth batter in the inning, hit into a double-play but he also scored Baker to give the Longhorns their first lead of the night at 1-0.
Oklahoma's Craig Aikin led off the second inning with a single and then advanced around to tie the game up when Robert Tasin reached on a throwing error from third base. The hit was a milestone for Aikin as it was the 200th of his Oklahoma baseball career.
Michael Cantu came home on a fielder's choice in the bottom of the fourth to put Texas back in front 2-1. The Sooners would rally once again though in the top half of the seventh when Taylor Alspaugh knocked in Josh Ake to tie things up at 2-2.
Ake's run would set up high drama as the two teams would swap hits, strike outs, put outs, and stranded runners well beyond regulation. With two out in the top of the 12th Aikin doubled to right-center field and set up Austin O'Brien for his best moment to this point of the season.
O'Brien got hold of a 1-1 pitch from Connor Mayes and ripped it through the right side, allowing Aikin to score from second base...for the second time on the evening. O'Brien's RBI gave OU their first lead of the game and proved to be the difference maker in the Sooners' 3-2 win.
Elliott rebounded to go on and throw seven strong innings. He was responsible for both Texas runs but was able to scatter them from the first to the fourth. In relief Oklahoma's bullpen kept the Longhorns off the board over five innings and fanned six batters. Ralph Garza Jr. picked up the win to even his record at 1-1 by throwing 1.1 innings of perfect ball and striking out three of the four batters he faced. Jacob Evans recorded his third save of the year by pitching the twelfth inning.
O'Brien came into the game slumping with a .218 average and only nine RBI's on the year. However, in this moment he was absolutely clutch and that may be the biggest confidence boosted of all time.
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