Columbia, S.C. – March 14, 2025 The Oklahoma Sooners kicked off their Southeastern Conference (SEC) baseball slate with a hard-fought 8-5 victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks on Friday night at Founders Park. In a game that showcased resilience and timely hitting, the No. 12-ranked Sooners improved to 16-1 on the season, while the Gamecocks dropped to 15-4 in front of a spirited home crowd.
The Sooners struck early and often, building a lead that South Carolina couldn’t fully erase despite a late effort. Oklahoma’s offense came out hot in the first inning, plating four runs to seize control. Junior right-hander Kyson Witherspoon, who entered the game with an impeccable 4-0 record and a 1.17 ERA, set the tone on the mound, though he faced resistance from a persistent Gamecock lineup.
South Carolina responded in the sixth, cutting the deficit to 7-5 with a rally sparked by timely hitting and Oklahoma miscues. However, the Sooners’ bullpen, led by Jason Bodin, slammed the door shut in the late innings. Bodin navigated a pair of runners on base in the seventh, inducing a weak dribbler in front of the plate that catcher Easton Carmichael handled cleanly to preserve the two-run cushion.
Oklahoma tacked on an insurance run in the eighth, and Bodin returned to close out the ninth, securing the 8-5 final score. The Sooners’ offense was paced by a balanced attack, with Kyle Branch and Carmichael contributing key hits. South Carolina’s pitching staff, which boasts a 3.17 ERA on the season, struggled to contain Oklahoma’s aggressive base running—46-for-53 in stolen base attempts entering the game—and opportunistic bats.
For the Gamecocks, the offense managed to pressure Witherspoon and the Oklahoma relievers, with multiple players reaching base in the later frames. However, the Gamecocks couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities, stranding runners and falling short of a comeback.
Oklahoma head coach Skip Johnson, now in his eighth season, praised his team’s composure in their first SEC road test. “This is a tough place to play, and South Carolina’s a quality club,” Johnson said postgame. “We got the big hits when we needed them, and our pitching held strong late.”
The two teams will square off again on Saturday at 3 p.m. CT in the second game of the three-game series. South Carolina will look to even the score, while Oklahoma aims to clinch the series and continue its impressive start to the 2025 campaign. With both squads showcasing talent and tenacity, this SEC showdown promises more fireworks as the weekend unfolds.
The Sooners struck early and often, building a lead that South Carolina couldn’t fully erase despite a late effort. Oklahoma’s offense came out hot in the first inning, plating four runs to seize control. Junior right-hander Kyson Witherspoon, who entered the game with an impeccable 4-0 record and a 1.17 ERA, set the tone on the mound, though he faced resistance from a persistent Gamecock lineup.
South Carolina responded in the sixth, cutting the deficit to 7-5 with a rally sparked by timely hitting and Oklahoma miscues. However, the Sooners’ bullpen, led by Jason Bodin, slammed the door shut in the late innings. Bodin navigated a pair of runners on base in the seventh, inducing a weak dribbler in front of the plate that catcher Easton Carmichael handled cleanly to preserve the two-run cushion.
Oklahoma tacked on an insurance run in the eighth, and Bodin returned to close out the ninth, securing the 8-5 final score. The Sooners’ offense was paced by a balanced attack, with Kyle Branch and Carmichael contributing key hits. South Carolina’s pitching staff, which boasts a 3.17 ERA on the season, struggled to contain Oklahoma’s aggressive base running—46-for-53 in stolen base attempts entering the game—and opportunistic bats.
For the Gamecocks, the offense managed to pressure Witherspoon and the Oklahoma relievers, with multiple players reaching base in the later frames. However, the Gamecocks couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities, stranding runners and falling short of a comeback.
Oklahoma head coach Skip Johnson, now in his eighth season, praised his team’s composure in their first SEC road test. “This is a tough place to play, and South Carolina’s a quality club,” Johnson said postgame. “We got the big hits when we needed them, and our pitching held strong late.”
The two teams will square off again on Saturday at 3 p.m. CT in the second game of the three-game series. South Carolina will look to even the score, while Oklahoma aims to clinch the series and continue its impressive start to the 2025 campaign. With both squads showcasing talent and tenacity, this SEC showdown promises more fireworks as the weekend unfolds.
