A big jump.
After Oklahoma decisively lost Friday night’s opener with No. 10 Texas, Oklahoma continued their streak with the Longhorns Saturday afternoon to even things out.
With the offense still a long way from firing on all cylinders, the Sooners found a way to make the big jumps when they needed them to take the late lead and lead Texas 4-2 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX.
The star of the day for Oklahoma was a right-hander David Sandinwho showed why Skip Johnson and society believed so much in his abilities.
In what has been a hit or miss season for the JUCO transfer, Sandlin easily delivered his best game of the year by beating the Longhorns in six scoreless innings.
Unfortunately for Sandlin, he ended his day without a decision thanks to the Texas starter’s exploits Tristan Stevenwho tied Sandlin with six scoreless innings.
Johnson turned to Michael Trewin to throw the seventh to Sandlin’s relief, and he was immediately greeted by a solo homer from the start Silas Ardoin to give Texas a 1-0 lead.
But when Johnson turned to his bullpen to open the seventh, the Texas head coach David Pierce decided to stick with his starter.
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This move would prove costly as Stevens allowed two baserunners to reach and forced Pierce to his bullpen.
That’s when the Oklahoma shortstop Peyton Graham came with the big swing of the day, a two-run single that gave OU their first lead, 2-1.
After a scoreless inning from Michael at the top of the eighth, Oklahoma then pinned two key insurance runs in the bottom half.
Kendall Pettis made his first appearance to score on his third steal attempt after a faulty throw, sailing into left field followed by Jackson Nicklaus Evade to a simple RBI.
Now three points clear, Michael returned to the mound to close the door and secure victory from behind, but it wasn’t without significant drama.
After giving Ardoin another homer to cut the lead to 4-2, the Longhorns pushed the runners into second and third with two outs.
Texas right fielder Dylan Campell then threw a 3-2 pitch into left field, but Diego Muniz took a dive to complete the game.
The sensational win improves the Sooners to 16-9 on the season and puts them back above .500 in the Big 12 game at 3-2.
The series’ rubber game will return to Globe Life Field in Arlington for broadcast on ESPN on Sunday noon.
