Norman, Oklahoma – The No. 13 Oklahoma Sooners (11-1) are gearing up to welcome the Sam Houston Bearkats (3-9) to L. Dale Mitchell Park for a three-game series starting tonight, Friday, March 7, 2025, and running through Sunday, March 9. With the Sooners riding high after an 11-0 start—their best since 2011—and the Bearkats looking to turn around a rocky beginning to their season, this non-conference matchup promises a mix of dominance and desperation as Oklahoma prepares to transition into SEC play.
Sooners Aim to Rebound After First Loss
Oklahoma enters the weekend fresh off their first stumble of the season, a loss to DBU on March 4 that snapped an 11-game winning streak. Despite the setback, the Sooners have plenty to boast about: top-10 victories over No. 2 Virginia and No. 7 Oregon State have catapulted them to No. 13 in the D1Baseball poll and No. 10 in Baseball America’s rankings. This series marks their final tune-up before the grind of SEC competition begins, and head coach Skip Johnson will look to his veteran leaders to keep the momentum rolling.
Junior catcher Easton Carmichael, who was named to the All-Big 12 First Team last season, anchors the lineup with his steady presence both behind the plate and at the plate. He is joined by standout freshman second baseman Kyle Branch, who boasts a .386 batting average, along with 10 runs and 11 RBIs this season. Sophomore Jason Walk has also been a reliable hitter, leading the team with a .425 batting average, 12 runs, and 8 RBIs so far this season. The Sooners will be relying on these players to generate offense after being shut out in their last game against DBU.
Bearkats Seeking an Upset
Meanwhile, Sam Houston arrives in Norman with a 3-9 record, a stark contrast to their hosts. The Bearkats have struggled mightily, posting a 2-8 mark in their last 10 games, with a 2-4 record at home and a 1-2 mark on the road. Yet, despite their early woes, this series offers a chance to measure themselves against a ranked opponent and perhaps steal a game with a standout performance.
Senior infielder Hunter Autrey, the most experienced player on the roster with three letters, will be the Bearkats’ linchpin. Alongside him, senior infielder Brady Christensen brings leadership, while redshirt junior outfielder Chris Benavidez—a transfer with junior college pedigree—adds depth. Junior pitcher Danny Valadez, another transfer with experience from Tyler JC and Baylor, will be crucial if Sam Houston hopes to keep Oklahoma’s potent offense in check.
Historical Edge and Series Outlook
Oklahoma holds an 8-6 advantage in the all-time series against Sam Houston, a rivalry that suggests competitiveness despite the current disparity in form. The Sooners’ home-field advantage at L. Dale Mitchell Park, combined with their superior record and national ranking, makes them heavy favorites to sweep or at least take two of three. However, baseball’s unpredictability means Sam Houston could capitalize on a strong outing from Valadez or a timely hit from Autrey to make things interesting.
For Oklahoma, the goal is clear: polish their game before SEC play begins. For Sam Houston, it’s about finding a spark to ignite their season. Fans can expect the Sooners to lean on their depth and experience, but don’t count out the Bearkats’ potential to play spoiler in at least one contest.
How to Watch and Listen
The series kicks off tonight at 6:30 PM CT, with Saturday’s game at 2 PM CT and Sunday’s finale at 2 PM CT. All three games will stream live on ESPN+/SECN+, while radio coverage is available on 99.3 FM/1400 AM The REF or The Varsity app, featuring Josh Helmer (Fri./Sat.), Toby Rowland (Sun.), and alums Blake Brewster (Fri./Sat.) and Kendall Pettis (Sun.) on the call.
Oklahoma’s firepower should overwhelm Sam Houston in this series, but the Bearkats’ veteran presence could keep one game close. Catch all the action this weekend as the Sooners and Bearkats square off in Norman!
Sooners Aim to Rebound After First Loss
Oklahoma enters the weekend fresh off their first stumble of the season, a loss to DBU on March 4 that snapped an 11-game winning streak. Despite the setback, the Sooners have plenty to boast about: top-10 victories over No. 2 Virginia and No. 7 Oregon State have catapulted them to No. 13 in the D1Baseball poll and No. 10 in Baseball America’s rankings. This series marks their final tune-up before the grind of SEC competition begins, and head coach Skip Johnson will look to his veteran leaders to keep the momentum rolling.
Junior catcher Easton Carmichael, who was named to the All-Big 12 First Team last season, anchors the lineup with his steady presence both behind the plate and at the plate. He is joined by standout freshman second baseman Kyle Branch, who boasts a .386 batting average, along with 10 runs and 11 RBIs this season. Sophomore Jason Walk has also been a reliable hitter, leading the team with a .425 batting average, 12 runs, and 8 RBIs so far this season. The Sooners will be relying on these players to generate offense after being shut out in their last game against DBU.
Bearkats Seeking an Upset
Meanwhile, Sam Houston arrives in Norman with a 3-9 record, a stark contrast to their hosts. The Bearkats have struggled mightily, posting a 2-8 mark in their last 10 games, with a 2-4 record at home and a 1-2 mark on the road. Yet, despite their early woes, this series offers a chance to measure themselves against a ranked opponent and perhaps steal a game with a standout performance.
Senior infielder Hunter Autrey, the most experienced player on the roster with three letters, will be the Bearkats’ linchpin. Alongside him, senior infielder Brady Christensen brings leadership, while redshirt junior outfielder Chris Benavidez—a transfer with junior college pedigree—adds depth. Junior pitcher Danny Valadez, another transfer with experience from Tyler JC and Baylor, will be crucial if Sam Houston hopes to keep Oklahoma’s potent offense in check.
Historical Edge and Series Outlook
Oklahoma holds an 8-6 advantage in the all-time series against Sam Houston, a rivalry that suggests competitiveness despite the current disparity in form. The Sooners’ home-field advantage at L. Dale Mitchell Park, combined with their superior record and national ranking, makes them heavy favorites to sweep or at least take two of three. However, baseball’s unpredictability means Sam Houston could capitalize on a strong outing from Valadez or a timely hit from Autrey to make things interesting.
For Oklahoma, the goal is clear: polish their game before SEC play begins. For Sam Houston, it’s about finding a spark to ignite their season. Fans can expect the Sooners to lean on their depth and experience, but don’t count out the Bearkats’ potential to play spoiler in at least one contest.
How to Watch and Listen
The series kicks off tonight at 6:30 PM CT, with Saturday’s game at 2 PM CT and Sunday’s finale at 2 PM CT. All three games will stream live on ESPN+/SECN+, while radio coverage is available on 99.3 FM/1400 AM The REF or The Varsity app, featuring Josh Helmer (Fri./Sat.), Toby Rowland (Sun.), and alums Blake Brewster (Fri./Sat.) and Kendall Pettis (Sun.) on the call.
Oklahoma’s firepower should overwhelm Sam Houston in this series, but the Bearkats’ veteran presence could keep one game close. Catch all the action this weekend as the Sooners and Bearkats square off in Norman!
