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KSR's 2025 SEC Baseball Preview: Oklahoma

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KSR's 2025 SEC Baseball Preview: Oklahoma


With the 2025 College Baseball season just around the corner, KSR will be previewing all 15 SEC teams that will be competing with Kentucky for an SEC crown this season. Up next; the Oklahoma Sooners.

The 2025 season will mark the first in the SEC for both Oklahoma and Texas. The Sooners, who compiled a 40-21 (23-7) record in 2024, won the Big 12 Regular Season Championship in their final season in the conference. They fell to rival Oklahoma State in the Big 12 Tournament Finals.

Oklahoma brings a prestigious program to the nation’s premier baseball conference. The Sooners have made the NCAA Tournament 16 times since 2000, including two Men’s College World Series appearances (2010 and 2022) with a runner-up finish in 2022. Head coach Skip Johnson is about to embark on his seventh season as head man in Norman, compiling a 229-153 (85-65) record in that span.

The Sooners, who were left out of D1Baseball’s Preseason Top 25 Rankings, were listed as a Preseason Top 25 outsider.

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Returning Players:

  • Jr. C Easton Carmichael (2024: 61 G, .366 AVG, 19 2B, 7 HR, 64 RBI, .563 SLG%, .406 OBP%)
  • So. INF Jaxon Willits (2024: 57 G, .268 AVG, 11 2B, 10 HR, 39 RBI, .484 SLG%, .376 OBP%)
  • Sr. C Scott Mudler (2024: 47 G, .279 AVG, 6 2B, 4 HR, 31 RBI, .401 SLG%, .367 OBP%)
  • So. INF/OF Jason Walk (2024: 42 G, .281 AVG, 4 2B, 3 HR, 19 RBI, .414 SLG%, .376 OBP%)
  • So. OF Dasan Harris (2024: 6 G, .167 AVG, 0 2B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, .167 SLG%, .167 OBP%)

  • Jr. RHP Kyson Witherspoon (2024: 17 APP, 11 GS, 8-3, 3.71 ERA, 80 IP, 90 K, 40 BB, .228 B/AVG)
  • Gr. LHP Grant Stevens (2024: 18 APP, 9 GS, 6-1, 4.28 ERA, 54 2/3 IP, 54 K, 20 BB, .291 B/AVG)
  • Sr. LHP James Hitt (2024: 17 APP, 7 GS, 2-4, 8.41 ERA, 35 1/3 IP, 32 K, 14 BB, .333 B/AVG)
  • Sr. RHP Dylan Crooks (2024: 25 APP, 0 GS, 1-0, 4.11 ERA, 30 2/3 IP, 20 K, 3 BB, .256 B/AVG)
  • Jr. RHP Malachi Witherspoon (2024: 21 APP, 0 GS, 2-2, 5.64 ERA, 22 1/3 IP, 29 K, 10 BB, .256 B/AVG)
  • Sr. RHP Reid Hensley (2024: 17 APP, 0 GS, 0-0, 3.21 ERA, 14 IP, 22 K, 10 BB, .170 B/AVG)
  • So. RHP Jacob Gholston (2024: 2 APP, 0 GS, 0-0, 108.00 ERA, 1/3 IP, 0 K, 4 BB, .000 B/AVG)

Departing Players:

  • R-Sr. INF Michael Snyder (2024: 61 G, .354 AVG, 26 2B, 11 HR, 59 RBI, .638 SLG%, .465 OBP% – 10th Round of 2024 MLB Draft)
  • R-Sr. INF Kendall Pettis (2024: 60 G, .276 AVG, 8 2B, 4 HR, 34 RBI, .398 SLG%, .398 OBP% – Graduated)
  • Jr. INF Jackson Nicklaus (2024: 57 G, .303 AVG, 9 2B, 10 HR, 37 RBI, .533 SLG%, .429 OBP% – 17th Round of 2024 MLB Draft)
  • Sr. OF Bryce Madron (2024: 55 G, .318 AVG, 19 2B, 12 HR, 53 RBI, .607 SLG%, .439 OBP% – 10th Round of 2024 MLB Draft)
  • Sr. INF Anthony Mackenzie (2024: 54 G, .291 AVG, 10 2B, 7 HR, 44 RBI, .453 SLG%, .407 OBP% – Graduated)
  • Jr. OF John Spikerman (2024: 42 G, .367 AVG, 12 2B, 3 HR, 32 RBI, .542 SLG%, .429 OBP% – 3rd Round of 2024 MLB Draft)
  • Fr. INF Isaiah Lane (2024: 26 G, .321 AVG, 2 2B, 0 HR, 6 RBI, .396 SLG%, .464 OBP% – Transfer Portal)
  • So. UTIL Rocco Garza-Gongora (2024: 23 G, .224 AVG, 2 2B, 0 HR, 11 RBI, .259 SLG%, .338 OBP% – Transferred to Texas State)
  • Jr. OF Carter Frederick (2024: 13 G, .343 AVG, 1 2B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, .543 SLG%, .400 OBP% – 20th Round of 2024 MLB Draft)
  • So. INF Patrick Engskov (2024: 8 G, .111 AVG, 0 2B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, .111 SLG%, .273 OBP% – Transferred to Arkansas State)

  • Jr. LHP Braden Davis (2024: 16 APP, 16 GS, 9-4, 4.30 ERA, 92 IP, 117 K, 41 BB, .208 B/AVG – 5th Round of 2024 MLB Draft)
  • Sr. LHP Carter Campbell (2024: 28 APP, 1 GS, 4-1, 5.64 ERA, 44 2/3 IP, 35 K, 20 BB, .263 B/AVG – Graduated)
  • Sr. RHP Carson Atwood (2024: 26 APP, 4 GS, 1-2, 3.96 ERA, 36 1/3 IP, 30 K, 14 BB, .229 B/AVG – Graduated)
  • R-Jr. RHP Brendan Girton (2024: 16 APP, 10 GS, 0-1, 7.32 ERA, 35 2/3 IP, 47 K, 31 BB, .297 B/AVG – 10th Round of 2024 MLB Draft)
  • Sr. RHP Jett Lodes (2024: 17 APP, 1 GS, 2-1, 4.80 ERA, 30 IP, 31 K, 17 BB, .200 B/AVG – Graduated)
  • Jr. RHP Ryan Lambert (2024: 23 APP, 0 GS, 4-0, 2.57 ERA, 21 IP, 19 K, 12 BB, .184 B/AVG – 8th Round of 2024 MLB Draft)
  • Sr. RHP Will Carsten (2024: 13 APP, 2 GS, 0-1, 8.66 ERA, 17 2/3 IP, 12 K, 12 BB, .347 B/AVG – Graduated)
  • Jr. LHP Jace Miner (2024: 13 APP, 0 GS, 1-1, 4.50 ERA, 10 IP, 12 K, 7 BB, .289 B/AVG – Transferred to Wichita State)
  • Fr. RHP Brad Pruett (2024: 10 APP, 0 GS, 0-0, 7.71 ERA, 7 IP, 9 K, 4 BB, .300 B/AVG – Transferred to East Carolina)
  • R-Jr. RHP Jason Bollman (2024: 3 APP, 0 GS, 0-0, 4.80 ERA, 1 2/3 IP, 4 K, 5 BB, .375 B/AVG)
  • Jr. RHP Myles Meyer (2024: 1 APP, 0 GS, 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1/3 IP, 1 K, 2 BB, .500 B/AVG – Transfer Portal)

Incoming Transfers:

  • Jr. INF/OF Brayden Horton (2024: 48 G, .265 AVG, 6 2B, 11 HR, 39 RBI, .506 SLG%, .397 OBP% – Transferred from Liberty)

  • So. LHP Cam Johnson (2024: 13 APP, 0 GS, 0-0, 12.00 ERA, 9 IP, 13 K, 16 BB, .167 B/AVG – Transferred from LSU)
  • So. RHP Jason Bodin (2024: 2 APP, 0 GS, 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 K, 3 BB, .200 B/AVG – Transferred from Texas A&M)

Oklahoma had eight players selected in the 2024 MLB Draft, including five offensive players and three pitchers. Coach Skip Johnson’s team however returns major contributors from last year’s NCAA Tournament team, including 2024 Third Team All-American junior catcher Easton Carmichael, 2024 Perfect Game Midseason All-American junior right-handed pitcher Kyson Witherspoon, and 2024 All-Big 12 Honorable Mention sophomore shortstop Jaxon Willitts.

Kyson’s brother, junior right-handed pitcher Malachi Witherspoon, returns as well. The Witherspoon’s totaled 38 appearances, 11 starts, 102 /13 innings, and a 4.14 ERA last season.

The Sooners will rely heavily on returning players and incoming freshman, as they brought in just three players from the Transfer Portal. Junior outfielder Brayden Horton, who a Third Team All-ASUN selection in 2023, could be a great addition in Norman. He’ll look to bounce back this season however, as his batting average dropped 76 points from 2023 to 2024.

Oklahoma is scheduled to face five SEC teams present in D1Baseball’s Preseason Top 25 Rankings this season (No. 3 LSU, at No. 8 Georgia, No. 16 Vanderbilt, No. 18 Mississippi State, No. 19 Texas). Four of these five series will be played at Oklahoma’s L. Dale Mitchell Park.

Kentucky, which has never faced Oklahoma before, will host the Sooners at Kentucky Proud Park on the weekend of May 9-11. Along with Oklahoma, the Cats will also host newcomer Texas the weekend of April 11-13.



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Four arrested after 30 pounds of meth, dozens of animals seized from Oklahoma City home

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Four arrested after 30 pounds of meth, dozens of animals seized from Oklahoma City home


OKLAHOMA CITY –

Four people are in custody after Oklahoma City police seized approximately 30 pounds of methamphetamine and removed dozens of animals from a home in southeast Oklahoma City on Thursday.

Police executed what they confirmed was a drug-related search warrant at a home near Southeast 15th Street and High Avenue. Authorities have not released information about what led investigators to the residence.

Drug Investigation Leads to Large Seizure

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According to the Oklahoma City Police Department, officers recovered approximately 30 pounds of methamphetamine from the home during the search.

Police said at least four people were taken into custody. Authorities have not released the identities of those arrested or any related charges.

Numerous Animals Removed From Property

Alongside the drug investigation, Oklahoma City Animal Welfare officers assisted in removing numerous animals from the property.

News 9 cameras captured at least 20 dogs being taken from the home, including one wearing a muzzle. Police said a horse, cats, chickens and snakes were also removed.

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Neighbors watched as officers spent hours at the residence.

“This is crazy. Like this is literally crazy,” said Nisha who lives nearby.

Another resident said she saw several people in handcuffs but did not initially know what was happening.

“I saw a couple men in handcuffs. I had no idea what was going on until my neighbor,” Dora Garcia said.

Neighbors say they were aware the home had dogs but were shocked by everything else discovered.

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“I knew they had dogs. Everybody over here knew they had dogs, but the rest of this is just mind-boggling,” Nisha said.

She also expressed concern about how close the investigation was to her homes.

“Too close for comfort. Way too close for comfort,” Nisha said.

Investigation Continues

Police said the search warrant was related to a drug investigation but have not released additional details about why officers targeted the home.

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The investigation remains ongoing. Oklahoma City police said additional information about those in custody is expected to be released as it becomes available.

This is a developing story.





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What Houston Does Better Than Oklahoma State and Why It Matters

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What Houston Does Better Than Oklahoma State and Why It Matters


Oklahoma State and Houston have an odd tradition dating back to their matchup in 1986. Neither team has won two games in a row.

Since that game in Stillwater in 1986 the Cougars and the Cowboys have alternated victories. Houston won that game in Stillwater, 28-12. The Cowboys followed that with a win in Houston in 1987.

Then the Cougars won in 2006 in Houston, followed by an Oklahoma State win in Stillwater in 2008. The two teams met again in 2009 in Stillwater and Houston won.

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That was followed in 2023 by Oklahoma State’s first visit to Houston in Big 12 action with the Cowboys claiming the victory. And, of course, there was Oklahoma State’s loss to Houston last year in Stillwater.

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If things hold the form, Oklahoma State will beat Houston this October. But the Cowboys are going to have to overcome something that Houston does better than them.

What Houston Does Better Than Oklahoma State

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Houston Cougars defensive back Will James (15) celebrates with defensive back Kentrell Webb,. | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Given that both teams have talented offenses and have the potential to dominate in the passing game, it’s safe to say that’s a draw. Same for the running game with Caleb Hawkins at Oklahoma State and the incoming Makhi Hughes at Houston.

So, it could come down to who can defend the pass the best. In that area, Houston would have a clear advantage.

In terms of yards allowed in the air last year Houston was No. 10 in the Big 12 and Oklahoma State was No. 13. There wasn’t much separating the pair. But Houston had 12 interceptions to Oklahoma State’s six, and much of that production is coming back in the form of three returning starters. Plus, the Cougars managed to replace some of the lost production with an impressive transfer.

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Will James was an All-Big 12 cornerback last year who returns with three interceptions and five pass breakups in what was a breakthrough season for the junior. Both safeties are back after last season as well. Kentrell Webb is more of a ball-hawkish type safety who can also tackle (71 tackles, one interception) while Jordan Allen had 48 tackles and broke up two passes.

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New corner Jalen Mayo replaces much of the lost production on the back end. The Stephen F. Austin transfer helped the Lumberjacks win the Southland Conference and an FCS playoff game as he picked off four passes. He’ll combine with James to build a formidable group of cornerbacks that can also count on another transfer, Javion White, in a 4-2-5 formation.

Game planning will be a bit easier for Oklahoma State since it plays the same 4-2-5 scheme. But, on paper, Houston’s secondary looks much better than Oklahoma State’s, which only has one returning starter in LaDanian Fields, who is a sophomore. Fields has two interceptions as a redshirt freshman. But transfers will make up for what else was lost last season.

Given the continuity on Houston’s side, it’s easy to see why their secondary is the thing they do better than Oklahoma State. Of course, the Cowboys have enough runway to nullify that advantage before they meet in October.

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What are the Oklahoma City Thunder getting in Kentucky star Otega Oweh?

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What are the Oklahoma City Thunder getting in Kentucky star Otega Oweh?


Kentucky fans have been waiting all night to hear the name Otega Oweh called in the 2026 NBA Draft, and the wait is finally over. Oweh just went with the 41st pick to the Miami Heat, but his draft rights were traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. This means Oweh will be joining Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Cason Wallace, who just two seasons ago won the NBA Championship.

The Thunder still have one of the best young cores in the NBA, and now they have added to it by bringing in the Kentucky star Oweh. This season for the Wildcats, Oweh led the team in scoring, averaging 18.6 points per game to go with 4.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.8 steals.

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Mar 22, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Otega Oweh (00) dunks during the second half against the Iowa State Cyclones during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

When watching Oweh play, some might wonder how he didn’t go higher in the draft, but the goal for him early into his pro career will be to see if he can continue to develop his jump shot. Last year at Kentucky, Oweh shot 33.3% from deep, but fans felt a lot more confident when Oweh would shoot the three-point shot.

Oweh is a great defender who is going to thrive playing for the Thunder, who are a team that works harder than any other team on the defensive end of the floor. Oweh can be a player for the Thunder who can come off the bench and play really hard on the defensive end of the floor, taking away steals and getting to the rim.

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Mar 20, 2026; St. Louis, MO, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Otega Oweh (00) shoots the ball against Santa Clara Broncos guard Sash Gavalyugov (2) during the second half of a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

When it comes to getting to the rim, there was no player in college basketball better than Oweh last season. He will be able to do this in the league, and if there is nothing there, he can kick the ball out to an open shooter. Being able to drive and kick in the NBA is very important, and I believe Oweh will do this at a high level.

The goal now for Oweh will be to play really well in the NBA Summer League to prove to the Thunder that he has to be on the team next season. While Oweh’s shooting issue doesn’t make him a prototypical NBA guard, BBN knows this kid can play. He will prove in the NBA Summer League that no team can stop him from getting to the rim. It will be great to see him paired with SGA and Wallace. The fit between the Thunder and Oweh makes a ton of sense, and he could make this roster.

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