Norman, Okla. — The Mississippi State Bulldogs defeated the Oklahoma Sooners 2-1 on Friday night at L Dale Mitchell Park, spoiling Oklahoma’s first-ever home SEC series with a gritty pitching performance and timely hitting. A seventh-inning sacrifice fly by Dylan Cupp proved to be the difference, handing the Sooners (18-3, 2-2 SEC) their second loss in conference play while snapping the Bulldogs’ (15-7, 1-3 SEC) early SEC skid.
The game started with Mississippi State striking first in the top of the opening inning. Sawyer Reeves singled, stole second, and scored on Bryce Chance’s RBI single off Oklahoma starter Kyson Witherspoon, who then settled down to strike out three Bulldogs to escape further damage. The Sooners struggled to find rhythm against Mississippi State’s Pico Kohn, stranding the bases loaded in the second and failing to capitalize on multiple chances early. It wasn’t until the seventh that Oklahoma broke through, when Jason Walk’s double to right-center scored Dasan Harris—whose run came unearned due to an error—to bring the game to 2-1, Bulldogs on top. However, the Bulldogs scored immediately in the top of the seventh, as Michael O’Brien scored on Cupp’s sac fly after replacing an injured Ross Highfill, who was hit in the face by a pitch and left the game.
Both pitching staffs dominated the affair. Witherspoon dazzled for 6.2 innings, allowing 5 hits and 2 runs while racking up 11 strikeouts, but took the loss. Kohn was equally impressive for Mississippi State, tossing 6 scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts before handing off to the bullpen. The Bulldogs’ relief corps, led by Stone Simmons and Luke Dotson, held firm late, stranding Oklahoma’s Sam Christiansen at second in the ninth to seal the victory.
Key Stats:
- Mississippi State outhit Oklahoma 7-4.
- Kyson Witherspoon (OU): 6.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 11 Ks.
- Pico Kohn (MSU): 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 10 Ks.
- Jason Walk (OU): 1-for-3, RBI double.
What’s Next:
Oklahoma looks to rebound in game two of the series against Mississippi State on Saturday, March 22, aiming to even their SEC record. The Bulldogs, now with momentum, seek their first SEC series win of the season.
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