ATHENS, GA – The No. 14 Oklahoma Sooners delivered a statement win on the road, defeating the No. 10 Georgia Bulldogs 8-6 at Foley Field to take the series lead in game one. Powered by stellar pitching from Kyson Witherspoon and a career night from Dayton Tockey, the Sooners secured a critical Top 10 victory, positioning themselves to potentially claim the series.
Witherspoon set the tone on the mound, tossing seven strong innings and allowing just one earned run on five hits while striking out eight and walking two. His command was pivotal in keeping Georgia’s potent offense in check, especially early when Oklahoma’s defense turned two double plays in the first two innings to stifle Bulldog rallies.
The Sooners struck first in the second inning. After Kyle Branch singled to left field then Dayton Tockey crushed a two-run homer to give Oklahoma a 2-0 lead. Tockey’s bat stayed red-hot, as he went 4-for-4 with two two-run homers and five RBIs, becoming the night’s undeniable star.
Georgia answered in the third with a solo home run from Tre Phelps, cutting the lead to 2-1. However, Oklahoma’s defense held firm, with another double play and Devin Obee caught stealing, who slid past second base on the wet turf.
The Sooners pulled away in the sixth. Easton Carmichael scored on a fielder’s choice by Jason Walk, and Tockey launched his second two-run homer, pushing Oklahoma’s lead to 5-1. In the eighth, Tockey added an RBI single, though he appeared to injure his left leg sliding into second, a concerning moment for the standout first baseman. Trey Gambill, consistent as ever, went 2-for-3 with two walks and an RBI, capitalizing on a wild throw to help Oklahoma surge to an 8-1 lead.
Georgia mounted a late comeback in the eighth, sparked by Ryland Zaborowski’s three-run double and Nolan McCarthy’s RBI single, narrowing the gap to 8-5. In the ninth, Devin Obee’s two-out double and Kolby Branch’s RBI single brought the Bulldogs within two, with Slate Alford battling through a 10-pitch at-bat. But reliever Dylan Crooks sealed the win, striking out Alford to end the threat.
Kyle Branch also shone, going 2-for-5 and scoring on Tockey’s second-inning homer, outdueling his older brother Kolby in a sibling showdown. The victory bolsters Oklahoma’s SEC standing and postseason aspirations, with a chance to secure a Top 10 road series win which gives them the potential to host regionals, given they remain hot and keep winning to close the season.
Up Next: The Sooners aim to clinch the series in game two tomorrow at 12 PM CST, while Georgia hopes to force a rubber match in game three. With momentum on their side, Oklahoma is poised to make a loud statement in the SEC.
Witherspoon set the tone on the mound, tossing seven strong innings and allowing just one earned run on five hits while striking out eight and walking two. His command was pivotal in keeping Georgia’s potent offense in check, especially early when Oklahoma’s defense turned two double plays in the first two innings to stifle Bulldog rallies.
The Sooners struck first in the second inning. After Kyle Branch singled to left field then Dayton Tockey crushed a two-run homer to give Oklahoma a 2-0 lead. Tockey’s bat stayed red-hot, as he went 4-for-4 with two two-run homers and five RBIs, becoming the night’s undeniable star.
Georgia answered in the third with a solo home run from Tre Phelps, cutting the lead to 2-1. However, Oklahoma’s defense held firm, with another double play and Devin Obee caught stealing, who slid past second base on the wet turf.
The Sooners pulled away in the sixth. Easton Carmichael scored on a fielder’s choice by Jason Walk, and Tockey launched his second two-run homer, pushing Oklahoma’s lead to 5-1. In the eighth, Tockey added an RBI single, though he appeared to injure his left leg sliding into second, a concerning moment for the standout first baseman. Trey Gambill, consistent as ever, went 2-for-3 with two walks and an RBI, capitalizing on a wild throw to help Oklahoma surge to an 8-1 lead.
Georgia mounted a late comeback in the eighth, sparked by Ryland Zaborowski’s three-run double and Nolan McCarthy’s RBI single, narrowing the gap to 8-5. In the ninth, Devin Obee’s two-out double and Kolby Branch’s RBI single brought the Bulldogs within two, with Slate Alford battling through a 10-pitch at-bat. But reliever Dylan Crooks sealed the win, striking out Alford to end the threat.
Kyle Branch also shone, going 2-for-5 and scoring on Tockey’s second-inning homer, outdueling his older brother Kolby in a sibling showdown. The victory bolsters Oklahoma’s SEC standing and postseason aspirations, with a chance to secure a Top 10 road series win which gives them the potential to host regionals, given they remain hot and keep winning to close the season.
Up Next: The Sooners aim to clinch the series in game two tomorrow at 12 PM CST, while Georgia hopes to force a rubber match in game three. With momentum on their side, Oklahoma is poised to make a loud statement in the SEC.
