NORMAN, Okla. – The No. 10 Oklahoma Sooners baseball squad delivered a thrilling 7-6 walk-off win against UT Arlington on Tuesday night at L. Dale Mitchell Park, showcasing resilience and clutch hitting in front of an electrified home crowd. Sophomore Jaxon Willits turned in a perfect 4-for-4 night, and Easton Carmichael became the hero with a game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth to secure the Sooners’ 18th victory of the season.
The game was a back-and-forth battle from the start, with UT Arlington jumping out to an early 3-0 lead in the second inning. The Sooners responded swiftly in the bottom half, as senior Scott Mudler drove in a pair of runs with a double, bringing in Dayton Tockey and Jaxon Willits and cutting the deficit to 3-2. Oklahoma’s offense erupted in the third, plating three runs to take a 5-4 lead. Jason Walk blasted a solo home run—his third of the season—while junior Dayton Tockey (.339 avg) smashed a two-run homer, finishing 2-for-3 with a double, a homer, and two RBIs.
UT Arlington refused to go quietly, making the game 6-5 in the sixth with a solo shot. Then, the Mavericks clawed back, knotting the score at 6-6 in the ninth with a timely run, setting the stage for Oklahoma’s dramatic finish.
With one out in the bottom of the ninth and a runner on base, Carmichael stepped to the plate. The junior laced a single to right field, scoring Walk for the winning run and sending the Sooners’ dugout into a frenzy.
Standout performances included Walk (.362 avg), who went 2-for-4 with a home run and an RBI, and Tockey, who contributed a 2-for-3 effort. Senior Scott Mudler (.250 avg) hit a double and logged 2 RBI, while sophomore Jaxon Willits (.321 avg) went 4-for-4, notching a home run, 3 runs, and an RBI on the evening.
The Sooners’ 14 hits dwarfed UTA’s seven, though Oklahoma left five runners on base compared to the Mavericks’ four. Neither team committed an error, a testament to the crisp defense on both sides. Oklahoma’s bullpen held firm after a shaky start, with head coach Skip Johnson praising their grit.
The victory improves Oklahoma to 18-2 overall as they continue their strong debut in SEC play, following a series win over South Carolina last weekend. For UT Arlington, the loss drops them to 6-11, a tough blow after a valiant effort on the road.
Next up, Oklahoma hosts Mississippi State in a three-game SEC series starting Friday, looking to build on their momentum. For now, Sooners fans can savor a heart-pounding walk-off win, courtesy of Easton Carmichael’s heroics on a chilly March night in Norman.
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