The Oklahoma Sooners (23-8, 5-2) needed a victory quite badly, but senior Brylie Ware was there to bring OU back to its winning ways with a walk-off single to topple the TCU Horned Frogs (18-10, 3-4), 6-5. It was OU’s first walk-off win of the young season.
WALK IT OFF!
— Oklahoma Baseball (@OU_Baseball) April 6, 2019
Brylie Ware singles home Muniz and OU beats TCU 7-6!
➡️ https://t.co/4jrivltJtk #BoomerSooner pic.twitter.com/88JgDhZd48
How did the Sooners celebrate? By drenching Ware during interviews, of course. Gatorade is for closers!
Brylie Ware after his walk-off hit (with a Gatorade bath). #Sooners
Posted by Crimson And Cream Machine on Friday, April 5, 2019
Cade Cavalli got the start on the mound for OU. The sophomore Swiss Army Knife ended up going 5.0 innings while allowing eight hits, four earned runs and three walks while striking out five batters. The win ended up going to closer Jason Ruffcorn (1-1), who was trying to earn his eighth save of the season before allowing the game-tying solo shot in the top of the ninth.
At the plate, Ware ended up going 2-5 while recording the first and last RBIs of the night. Brendan Zaragoza, who had been moved to the seven-hole after going through a rough stretch, went 3-4 with two RBIs of his own. Freshman Diego Muniz also got in on the fun, going 2-3 with an RBI double. Finally, Brady Lindsly was OU’s fourth multi-hit performer of the night, going 2-4 with an RBI and a double.
Oklahoma appeared to blow this one open early, scoring four runs on four hits and two errors in the bottom of the first inning. The Sooners received contributions in the form of singles from Muniz, Ware, Tyler Hardman and Zaragoza, with Ware, Hardman, Lindsly (fielder’s choice) and Zaragoza recording an RBI apiece.
TCU struck back in the top of the fourth, and it all began with a two-out HBP. The Frogs proceeded to hit four straight singles to cut the lead to 4-3. In the bottom half, Muniz gave the Sooners a bit of breathing room with an RBI double over the head of centerfielder Johnny Rizer, plating Zaragoza and making it 5-3.
Diego Muniz after the win over TCU. #Sooners
Posted by Crimson And Cream Machine on Friday, April 5, 2019
TCU was able to inflict damage once again in the top of the fifth, but things could’ve been much worse. After loading the bases with one out, Cavalli allowed a run on a wild pitch but was able to avoid a catastrophe, keeping OU out in front 5-4. The Sooners regained a run in the bottom half when Zaragoza doubled down the line in left to plate Hardman. Lindsly, who was trailing Hardman on the play, was also called safe at home, but the run was overturned after a review showed that he had been tagged out at the plate.
In the top of the sixth, TCU responded once again with a Hunter Wolfe solo shot to cut into the lead and make it 6-5. In the top of the eighth, TCU nearly added another, but Brylie Ware as manning third base and kept OU out in front for the time being.
Mid 8 | OH MAMA!
— Oklahoma Baseball (@OU_Baseball) April 6, 2019
Brylie Ware saves a run with this diving catch to end the eighth!
OU 6, TCU 5#Sooners pic.twitter.com/GPx01h4xfG
TCU’s Rizer came up big with an opposite-field solo shot to tie the game at 6-6 in the top of the ninth. However, the Frogs’ jubilation was short-lived, as Ware came up big after a Muniz walk and a Conor McKenna infield single.
The hit... and the celebration!#Boomer pic.twitter.com/mv9EwrBRLT
— Oklahoma Baseball (@OU_Baseball) April 6, 2019
OU will face TCU at 5 p.m. CT Saturday for the second game of the series.
Skip Johnson after the win over TCU. #Sooners
Posted by Crimson And Cream Machine on Friday, April 5, 2019