Oklahoma Baseball: Sooners Set to Begin NCAA Tournament Run on Friday

Let the enjoyable start.

After a spectacular run by the Massive 12 match final week in Arlington, Oklahoma (37-20) appears to be like to maintain the recent stretch rolling into the NCAA Match this weekend in Gainesville, FL.

The Sooners, who’ve largely ridden a high-powered offense all through the season, had been led not by their bats however by their pitching with starters Jake Bennett, David Sandlin and Cade Horton all twirling gems to carry OU to the convention crown.

At crucial time of the yr, Oklahoma’s pitching is acting at its highest stage.

“Jake has accomplished what he’s accomplished, Sandlin was actually good final week and Horton is simply now getting in form,” head coach Skip Johnson mentioned this week. “I’ve been actually pleased with them throwing strikes.”

“It began off with the pitching,” first baseman Blake Robertson mentioned of the Sooners’ huge week in Arlington. “We (the offense) had huge innings due to them. They saved placing up zeroes and that provides us extra momentum within the dugout.”

For an OU program that hadn’t reached the NCAA Match since 2018, the final couple of months actually serves as among the high play the Sooners have had in a while.

With that, Oklahoma followers have begun to note what the crew is able to — with many changing into excited a few potential run by the month of June.

However whereas the thrill is warranted, this shall be uncharted waters for a gaggle of gamers but to style the large dance. 

“Since I’ve been right here, this (reaching the NCAA Match) is one thing I haven’t been in a position to do,” senior heart fielder Tanner Tredaway mentioned. “It’s what we’ve labored for. And we discuss it on a regular basis. That is only a stepping stone for what we actually need to accomplish, and that’s going to Omaha.”

Methods to Watch:

• Oklahoma vs. Liberty: Friday, 12:00 p.m., ESPN+

The Sooners start play within the regional hosted by the No. 13 Florida Gators because the No. 2 seed throughout the area dealing with the Liberty Flames (37-21).

The Flames completed in third place within the Atlantic Solar this season with a 19-11 league file, holding an RPI of No. 31 within the nation heading into the match.

Merely put, they don’t seem to be ones to be taken calmly — one thing Johnson is properly conscious of heading into the weekend. 

“Their athleticism,” Johnson mentioned of what stands proud about Liberty. “The coach (Scott Jackson) is an efficient pal. He does an excellent job. He was at North Carolina once they had been actually good again within the day. They’re actually actually good. They acquired an arm. They’ve these guys break up up by the lineup, they’ll actually hit.”

Getting the beginning in opposition to the Flames shall be left-hander Jake Bennett (7-3, 3.60), who appears to be like to proceed to set the weekend tone as he has all through the season.

From begin to end in 2022, Bennett has been OU’s No. 1 starter – and that will not be altering heading into the match. 

“They (the crew) have a variety of confidence in Jake (Bennett) as a result of they know the way onerous he works,” Johnson mentioned. “That’s the largest factor. The children know the way onerous he works and what he’s put in to get from the place he was to the place he’s at present.”

First pitch for Oklahoma’s matchup with Liberty is about for midday CT in Gainesville and shall be broadcast on ESPN+.

Ought to the Sooners win, they’ll face the Florida/Central Michigan winner on Saturday at 6 p.m CT. in a winner’s bracket sport. A loss and OU shall be taking part in for its season in an elimination sport in opposition to the Gators/Chippewas loser at midday CT on Saturday.

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