Oklahoma Baseball: Sooners Ready for Super Regionals Slugfest With Virginia Tech

Two wins away from Omaha.

That’s the place Oklahoma (40-21) stands heading into this weekend’s Tremendous Regionals date with the No. 4 Virginia Tech Hokies (44-12) in Blacksburg, VA.

However, whereas this run has been actually memorable, the Sooners are nowhere close to glad simply but.

“I feel all the pieces is beginning to click on proper now,” shortstop Peyton Graham stated this week. “That’s why we’re sizzling, I assume you may say. However I imply, this crew, it’s unbelievable what we’ve carried out up to now and hopefully we are able to proceed being good.”

Oklahoma, who was picked simply sixth within the Large 12 preseason ballot, is one in every of simply 16 groups remaining within the chase for a nationwide title.

Only a few anticipated the Sooners to be standing two wins away from the Faculty World Collection, however that’s greater than effective for a membership that has used doubt as gasoline all season lengthy.

“We’ve type of been doubted the entire season,” left fielder Kendall Pettis stated. “We had been alleged to be picked behind Kansas State and quite a lot of groups within the Large 12. No person anticipated us to be right here. So we’ve at all times had that chip on our shoulder.”

After a number of weeks of offensive play that will stack up proper with another crew within the nation, the OU pitching workers has discovered its stride on the proper time as properly.

Now, the 2 sides feed off of each other with an offense that is aware of it’s pitchers will throw zeroes on the scoreboard and a gaggle of arms that know they are going to get run assist – making a deadly mixture for the Sooners shifting ahead.

“Yeah I feel that is (pitching success) the most important factor,” head coach Skip Johnson stated. “I feel quite a lot of it’s our offense, too. As a result of they (pitchers) do not should exit and fear about being excellent. They will exit and simply make pitches. We discuss taking it one pitch at a time, on a regular basis. They usually get higher each week. That is been the most important secret is simply making an attempt to get higher each week. Day in and day trip as a result of baseball is usually a merciless sport at occasions. What you need to do is attempt to get higher at it and keep your confidence.”

“Oh it’s unbelievable,” Graham stated concerning the pitching as of late. “They stand up a zero and we come again within the dugout and get slightly momentum on our aspect. After which begin free swinging.”

Proper on the middle of Oklahoma’s success have been three freshmen seemingly unbothered by the second or strain of postseason baseball.

Second baseman Jackson Nicklaus, third baseman Wallace Clark and proper fielder John Spikerman have all change into mainstays within the OU lineup regardless of nonetheless being within the midst of their first collegiate seasons.

“I feel that is the factor the place we discuss rising as a crew and people guys rising up in a sport the place you take a look at (Jackson) Nicklaus, and also you take a look at (Wallace) Clark, and also you take a look at (John) Spikerman and what they’ve carried out … it is actually particular,” Johnson stated. “They’re actually sophomores now. They’ve performed sufficient video games now by means of the autumn and within the spring. They perceive what we are attempting to undergo. (Jackson) had a tricky week. Then he will get an enormous hit that finally ends up being the sport winner. Rolls over a ball within the 4 gap. He is had an amazing yr. Wallace Clark is like possibly one of many unsung heroes. It actually helped us getting Cade (Horton) placing him on the mound. Actually getting him to give attention to pitching and Cade has gotten higher each week. I am actually pleased with what he is carried out and the work he is put in.”

Regardless of understanding of the bullpen closing out Monday night time’s regional last in opposition to Florida, the expectation is for left-hander Jake Bennett to nonetheless take the mound in Friday’s opener in opposition to Virginia Tech.

The right way to Watch:

• Oklahoma vs. Virginia Tech: Friday, 2:00 p.m., ESPN2
• Oklahoma vs Virginia Tech: Saturday, 11:00 a.m., ESPNU
• Oklahoma vs Virginia Tech: Sunday, TBA (If-Crucial)

Bennett, who has been the OU ace from starting to finish in 2022, shall be seeking to construct on one other rock strong weekend in Gainesville.

“It is similar to a bullpen for him,” Johnson stated about Bennett pitching in Monday night time’s sport. “If we’re having a brief week like he did at (Texas) Tech his bullpen could be on Monday. In his bullpen we throw 35-40 pitches and he threw 28 (on Monday). It is slightly extra depth most likely so I ask him … he is not sore (however) we’ll see what occurs. Proper now we’re sticking with it and if one thing adjustments it adjustments. We’re not likely naming a beginning pitcher but so I feel that is the most important factor.”

The Sooners will definitely want all arms on deck this week as they flip their consideration to a Hokies crew that has put collectively a particular season of their very own.

Virginia Tech has confirmed to be one of many actually elite offensive groups within the nation, batting .313 as an entire – ok for ninth-best in all of school baseball.

“They’re (Virginia Tech) actually offensive,” Johnson stated. “They have been within the top-10 the final month, month and a half however I do know they’re actually good at what they do. Effectively coached and it will be a great take a look at for us.”

Along with dealing with an clearly proficient Hokies squad, the Sooners may even be entering into yet one more hostile setting in Blacksburg.

However, after a weekend in Gainesville with rowdy Gators followers, Oklahoma seems like they’re prepared for the problem as soon as once more.

“That provides us quite a lot of confidence,” Pettis stated concerning the Florida wins. “However we nonetheless have that chip on our shoulder. We at all times see stuff on social media that we’re nonetheless the underdog. However we wish that. We don’t need anybody to bandwagon us. We’re making an attempt to be the fellows that individuals are doubting on. So, we like that. That’s what provides us confidence and power.”

“We actually take pleasure in going into these sort of conditions and listening to these followers discuss loopy. We like that, that offers us power. So with the ability to shut these guys up and exit and dominate is simply what we dwell for.”

“I feed off of the trash discuss,” Graham stated. “It means you’re good once they’re (opposing followers) speaking trash. I take it as a praise and simply roll with it.”

Johnson stated that “everyone” is wholesome going into the weekend for the Sooners, with the gamers realizing they’ll must dig deep for one more high-pressure weekend of baseball.

Whereas the belief is the weekend rotation will keep the identical because it has been with Bennett on Friday adopted by David Sandlin on Saturday and Cade Horton on Sunday, Johnson didn’t rule out utilizing Horton earlier within the collection if the scenario referred to as for it. 

“It simply will depend on what the sport exhibits you and tells you what to do,” Johnson stated. “He’s (Horton) thrown within the again finish for us, he’s began for us. So, no matter we are able to do to attempt to win the baseball sport, we’re going to do it.”

First pitch of Sport 1 of the best-of-three Tremendous Regionals collection between Oklahoma and No. 4 Virginia Tech is about for two p.m. CT at English Discipline at Atlantic Union Financial institution Park in Blacksburg and shall be broadcast on ESPN2.