By OU Media Relations

TULSA — No. 22 Oklahoma dropped a midweek contest to Oral Roberts, 3-1, Tuesday night in Tulsa.

A pitcher’s duel to start between Sooner starting LHP James Hitt and ORU starter RHP Joshua Caravalho led to three and a half scoreless innings to start the contest. 

After Hitt surrendered just one hit through three, the Golden Eagles (17-26-1) broke through in the fourth with two runs on three hits. After consecutive singles to start the frame, an RBI single and sacrifice bunt put the first runs on the board. 

The Sooners (26-17, 15-6 Big 12) went quietly again at the top of the fifth before ORU added one via RBI double in the home half to make it 3-0 after five. 

Oklahoma pushed one run across at the top of the sixth. After consecutive singles from freshman Jason Walk and junior John Spikerman to start the inning, an RBI groundout from sophomore Easton Carmichael scored Walk for OU’s only run of the night. 

A scoreless final three innings brought the final to 3-1, Oral Roberts. OU’s three hits tied its lowest total on the year with last Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Wichita State. 

Hitt (L, 2-5) took the loss in an otherwise solid showing, going four innings and surrendering two runs on four hits with one walk and a pair of strikeouts. Grant Stevens (1.0 IP), Carter Campbell (1.2) and Dylan Crooks (1.1) saw action out of the pen with Stevens striking out one. 

At the plate, Spikerman, Walk and senior Anthony Mackenzie recorded OU’s three hits on the night, while Carmichael brought in OU’s run. Senior Bryce Madron drew a pair of walks. 

OU returns to Big 12 conference play this weekend, May 3-5, in Lubbock vs. Texas Tech (29-17, 12-12). The three-game series begins Friday with a 6:30 p.m. CT first pitch. The series can be seen via Big 12 NOW on ESPN+. 

House Speaker Charles McCall on Monday said he hopes to get a state budget agreement this week.

“I think we are very close,” McCall, R-Atoka said.

But the House and Senate do not have an agreement on a possible income tax cut.

McCall and Gov. Kevin Stitt have been pushing for a cut in the state’s 4.75% income tax.

The Senate, however, has been steadfastly opposed.

Earlier this year, lawmakers and Stitt eliminated the state’s portion of the sales tax on groceries.

Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, has said that was as far as his chamber was willing to go.

More: Tornadoes likely to change state budget priorities, Senate leader says

An income tax cut is one of the few sticking points left, McCall said.

“Hopefully, we will work through those,” he said.

McCall said an income tax is necessary and warranted, adding that the state has record surpluses.

“I don’t see it harming our economy at all because you are just leaving money in people’s pockets to spend,” McCall said. “And they will. It will come back to the state in sales tax dollars.”

Stitt, McCall and Treat have not met as a group to finalize things, McCall said.

How about our first real curveball of the Mark Pope era in Lexington? He threw it and the pitch landed in the form of Oklahoma State center Brandon Garrison.

On3’s Joe Tipton was the first to break the news on Tuesday.

The 6-foot-11 freshman and former McDonald’s All-American chose the Wildcats over Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas, among others. He averaged 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game this season for the Cowboys.

Coming out of Del City (OK) High School, Garrison was considered a four-star recruit and a top 50 prospect from the class of 2023, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. Beyond Burger Boy accolades, he was also the Gatorade and MaxPreps Player of the Year in Oklahoma. He originally committed to Oklahoma State over the likes of Arkansas, Kansas, LSU and Texas.

Garrison reached the 20-point threshold three times this past season: 21 against BYU, 20 against Baylor, and 20 against West Virginia. Oklahoma State went 2-1 in those contests. He recorded one double-double, which came against South Carolina State: 11 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and three blocks.

Now, he’s officially a Kentucky Wildcat — another major surprise for Pope.