In a thrilling showdown at the Big 12 Championship, top-seeded Oklahoma advanced to Friday's semifinals with a hard-fought 7-5 victory over seven-seed Kansas. The Sooners overcame a challenging start, including an early two-run deficit and a season-high seven errors, to clinch their 10th win in the last 11 games.
Freshman Jaxon Willits delivered a crucial two-run, go-ahead home run in the fourth inning, propelling the Sooners ahead. Oklahoma then added two insurance runs in the seventh inning to solidify their lead.
On the mound, starting right-hander Kyson Witherspoon pitched four innings without giving up an earned run, recording six strikeouts. Senior Carter Campbell earned the win in relief, pitching three scoreless and hitless innings, walking just one batter and improving his record to a perfect 4-0 for the season.
The game began with Oklahoma taking an early lead in the first inning, thanks to a sacrifice fly by sophomore Easton Carmichael, following a leadoff single from junior John Spikerman. However, Kansas responded quickly with three unearned runs in the second inning, capitalizing on a single hit and three OU errors. Witherspoon managed to limit the damage by leaving the bases loaded, a feat he repeated later in the game.
Oklahoma regained some ground in the bottom of the second inning with an RBI single from junior catcher Scott Mudler. Kansas extended their lead again in the third inning with an RBI single. Witherspoon found himself in another tight spot in the fourth inning but struck out the side to escape unscathed after walking the bases loaded.
The bottom of the fourth was pivotal for Oklahoma, as they scored three runs on three hits. Senior Kendall Pettis led off with a double, followed by another RBI single from Mudler. Willits then hit his ninth home run of the season, a deep shot to right center, to give the Sooners a decisive lead.
The fifth and sixth innings remained scoreless, thanks to Campbell retiring six consecutive batters. In the seventh inning, Oklahoma added two more runs. Senior Michael Snyder hit an RBI triple following a leadoff triple from Carmichael. Junior Jackson Nicklaus also contributed with an RBI triple after making an impressive defensive play earlier, catching a flyout and doubling up a runner at home.
Oklahoma's right-handed relievers Dylan Crooks and Malachi Witherspoon secured the victory, combining to close out the game with only one KU run allowed on two hits. Malachi Witherspoon earned his fourth save of the season by stranding two Kansas runners, including the potential tying run.
Pettis led Oklahoma's offense with a 3-for-4 performance, while Willits, Carmichael, Nicklaus, and Mudler each recorded two hits. Willits and Mudler both drove in two runs, highlighting the Sooners' offensive strength with a total of 14 hits in the game. Remarkably, all five runs scored by Kansas were unearned, as Oklahoma has not yet conceded an earned run in the tournament, following a 4-0 shutout against TCU on Wednesday.
Looking ahead, Oklahoma will compete in a semifinal matchup on Friday at 12:30 p.m. CT against the winner of the elimination game between TCU and Kansas. The semifinal matchups are single elimination, leading up to the championship game scheduled for Saturday at 6 p.m. CT on ESPNU.
Fans can watch Friday's semifinal on Big 12 NOW via ESPN+ and listen locally in Oklahoma on SportsTalk 1400 AM/99.3 FM or nationwide on The Varsity app. Tickets for the tournament are available through Big12Sports.com or at the gates of Globe Life Field.
