OU Baseball: Oklahoma Takes Down Kansas State

The Sooners got the bats going against the Wildcats and opened their Big 12 series with a 12-5 victory at L. Dale Mitchell Park.

Oklahoma 3B Michael Snyder / BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN-USA TODAY NETWORK

By OU Media Relations

NORMAN – Oklahoma baseball raced out to a series-opening victory Friday night, beating Kansas State 12-5 to claim the first game of the three-game conference set. 

Following a scoreless first where both teams went down in order, Oklahoma (19-14, 9-4 Big 12) ran it up in the second inning with nine runs on seven hits and a KSU error. 

Redshirt senior Michael Snyder started the flurry with a leadoff triple, his team-leading third three-bagger of the season. Following a walk to Jackson Nicklaus, junior catcher Scott Mudler ripped an RBI single up the middle for the first run of the game. The next batter, freshman Jaxon Willits, lifted a sacrifice fly to left to score Nicklaus. Another walk followed, then four straight RBI singles from senior Bryce Madron, sophomore Easton Carmichael, senior Anthony Mackenzie and Snyder. 

As the Sooners batted around, Nicklaus reached on a KSU error, allowing Mackenzie to score, prior to a Pettis two-run double to close the scoring in the second. 

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OU starting pitcher Braden Davis was in a groove to start the contest, not surrendering a hit through three and two-thirds. He left the runner in scoring position at the top of the fourth via strikeout looking. 

Following a scoreless third from both teams, the Sooners put up another three runs on two hits in the bottom of the fourth. After a walk drawn by Mackenzie, Snyder doubled down the left line to send a racing Mackenzie home from first. Two batters later, Pettis plated Snyder on a fielder’s choice before Pettis stole second and Mudler brought him in via a single to left. 

The Wildcats (21-11, 7-6 Big 12) got on the board at the top of the sixth, plating one unearned run on a Sooner miscue as Davis attempted to field a chopper in front of the mound. KSU would score four in the seventh via fielder’s choice, an RBI single and two-run double. 

Scoreless eighth and ninth innings ensued for a final score of 12-5. 

Davis (W, 3-3) would earn his third win of the year, going 5.2 innings with no earned runs (1 R), four hits, two walks and seven strikeouts. Relievers Jett Lodes and Dylan Crooks closed the game, striking out one and two, respectively. 

At the plate, Carmichael and Snyder each registered three-hit games and were both one home run shy of the cycle. Pettis led OU with three runs batted in, while Mudler and Snyder each brought in a pair. 

The teams meet for Game 2 of the series Saturday at 4 p.m. CT. The game can be seen via SoonerVision on ESPN+ and heard locally in Oklahoma on SportsTalk 1400 AM/99.3 FM or nationwide on The Varsity app.

For the Fans: Party at the Ballpark highlights the weekend marketing promotions on Saturday, featuring music, food trucks and more beyond the outfield fences on Asp Ave. from 12 p.m. until first pitch at 4 p.m. CT.