OU TAKES 2-OF-3 AGAINST VANDERBILT

The Sooners opened the weekend series with a 9-4-win over Vanderbilt on Friday night. OU jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning and tagged on another three runs in the seventh and two in the eighth. Jaxson Willits hit his first home run of the season in the seventh inning.

On Saturday, the Sooners blew out the Commodores in a seven-inning run rule 14-0 shutout. Kyson Witherspoon had a brilliant performance on the mound, pitching the complete game while giving up only two hits, no runs, no walks and six strikeouts. Witherspoon’s record improved to 6-2.

The Sooners’ offense was powered by home runs from Easton Carmichael and Dawson Willis. OU scored 14 runs on nine hits, nine walks and five OU batters were hit by pitches. Carmichael finished with five RBI in the game.

In the final game of the series on Sunday, No. 17 Vanderbilt beat No. 19 Oklahoma 13-2 in an eight-inning run rule game.

Vanderbilt (26-10, 8-7 SEC) jumped out to a 5-0 lead through the first three innings, with a solo home run in the first and two-run shot in the second. In the third, the Commodores scored two on a pair of RBI singles.

The Sooners (25-10, 7-8) scored a run in the fourth on an RBI base hit from junior Dayton Tockey to score fellow junior Easton Carmichael.

OU starting pitcher Malachi Witherspoon exited after five innings with a career-high 11 strikeouts. The junior righty surrendered six runs on six hits and one walk.

Vandy added to its lead in the sixth with three runs by way of a fielder’s choice and two-run single. In the seventh, Commodore added one run, and then in the eighth, the scored three times to put the Sooners away. OU did get one run in the bottom of the eighth, but it wasn’t enough to stave off the 10-run rule.

OU will play a three-game series at Missouri, beginning Thursday night.