NORMAN, OK - Under sunny skies at L. Dale Mitchell Park, the Oklahoma Sooners secured a hard-fought 5-3 victory over Ole Miss in game two, clinching the series in front of a packed Norman crowd. The strategic battle saw both teams tally 10 hits with no errors, but Oklahoma’s timely hitting and stout defense proved the difference.
Cade Crossland took the mound for the Sooners, delivering a stellar performance: 6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, and 8 K. His fastball, peaking at 97.8 MPH, was electric, as he struck out two and fielded a grounder to retire the side in the top of the first.
Oklahoma’s bats answered immediately. Trey Gambill crushed a triple to right-center, igniting the offense. Easton Carmichael followed with a two-run homer to left, and singles from Jaxon Willits and Kyle Branch kept the rally alive. A walk to Scott Mudler loaded the bases, and Mason Hamlin’s fielder’s choice scored Willits, giving the Sooners a 3-0 lead after one inning on four hits.
Ole Miss responded in the second with a solo home run by Austin Fawley, who just cleared the wall despite Gambill’s valiant leap in left field, trimming the lead to 3-1.
The Rebels threatened again in the fourth, putting two on with no outs, but Oklahoma’s defense stood tall, shutting down the rally.
Carmichael struck again in the fifth, launching his second homer of the game—his second career multi-homer performance—for a 4-1 lead. Later, Dawson Willis drew a bases-loaded walk to score Kyle Branch, pushing the advantage to 5-1.
Ole Miss mounted a comeback in the seventh. Ryan Moerman’s double and Isaac Humphrey’s two-RBI single brought the Rebels within two at 5-3. With the bases loaded, a double play from Willis to Hamlin snuffed out the threat.
In the ninth, closer Dylan Crooks faced pressure with two Rebels in scoring position and two outs. Unfazed, Crooks sealed the 5-3 win with a strikeout, earning the save and showcasing his ice-cold composure.
Easton Carmichael was the undisputed star, excelling behind the plate and at bat. His two homers marked his second multi-homer game this season, the first coming against Missouri. Crooks also earned praise for his clutch performance in the ninth.
Up Next:
The Sooners head into Sunday’s 2 p.m. CST finale with a chance to sweep a top-25 Ole Miss squad—a feat that could bolster their postseason resume. Oklahoma’s defensive prowess and opportunistic offense give them a strong shot to close out the series in style.
Cade Crossland took the mound for the Sooners, delivering a stellar performance: 6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, and 8 K. His fastball, peaking at 97.8 MPH, was electric, as he struck out two and fielded a grounder to retire the side in the top of the first.
Oklahoma’s bats answered immediately. Trey Gambill crushed a triple to right-center, igniting the offense. Easton Carmichael followed with a two-run homer to left, and singles from Jaxon Willits and Kyle Branch kept the rally alive. A walk to Scott Mudler loaded the bases, and Mason Hamlin’s fielder’s choice scored Willits, giving the Sooners a 3-0 lead after one inning on four hits.
Ole Miss responded in the second with a solo home run by Austin Fawley, who just cleared the wall despite Gambill’s valiant leap in left field, trimming the lead to 3-1.
The Rebels threatened again in the fourth, putting two on with no outs, but Oklahoma’s defense stood tall, shutting down the rally.
Carmichael struck again in the fifth, launching his second homer of the game—his second career multi-homer performance—for a 4-1 lead. Later, Dawson Willis drew a bases-loaded walk to score Kyle Branch, pushing the advantage to 5-1.
Ole Miss mounted a comeback in the seventh. Ryan Moerman’s double and Isaac Humphrey’s two-RBI single brought the Rebels within two at 5-3. With the bases loaded, a double play from Willis to Hamlin snuffed out the threat.
In the ninth, closer Dylan Crooks faced pressure with two Rebels in scoring position and two outs. Unfazed, Crooks sealed the 5-3 win with a strikeout, earning the save and showcasing his ice-cold composure.
Easton Carmichael was the undisputed star, excelling behind the plate and at bat. His two homers marked his second multi-homer game this season, the first coming against Missouri. Crooks also earned praise for his clutch performance in the ninth.
Up Next:
The Sooners head into Sunday’s 2 p.m. CST finale with a chance to sweep a top-25 Ole Miss squad—a feat that could bolster their postseason resume. Oklahoma’s defensive prowess and opportunistic offense give them a strong shot to close out the series in style.
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