Oklahoma Takes Down Kansas to Win Series

James Hitt turned in the Sooners' longest start of the season and OU rocketed to a fast start by batting around in the first inning to beat the Jayhawks.

By OU Media Relations

NORMAN — James Hitt pitched eight innings, the offense scored five runs in the first inning and the defense was outstanding again in leading Oklahoma to a 7-4 series-clinching victory over Kansas on Sunday afternoon at L. Dale Mitchell Park.

The Sooners (24-20, 9-9 Big 12) sent 10 batters to the plate in the first inning, scoring on RBI singles by shortstop Dakota Harris and second baseman Jackson Nicklaus and a two-run single by third baseman Wallace Clark. OU added a run on a groundout by left fielder Kendall Pettis in the second inning.

Catcher Diego Muniz, who was presented with the program’s Mitchell Whitaker Award before the game, lined an RBI double into the left center field alley in the third inning to extend Oklahoma’s lead to 7-2.

The Jayhawks (21-23, 6-12 Big 12) scored two runs in the second inning on a home run by third baseman Michael Brooks and two more in the fifth on a groundout and a wild pitch.

Hitt (4-0) turned the longest outing by an OU pitcher this season, notching five strikeouts and just one walk over his eight frames. Will Carsten induced three pop outs in the ninth to earn his second save in as many days. KU starter Ethan Bradford (2-5) took the loss.

“I thought Jamie settled in,” Oklahoma head coach Skip Johnson said. “When you can get out to a quick lead, it makes you better. We played really good offense early and then manufactured a couple runs, got a big double, scoring on a ball in the gap. I thought the rest of the game they did a good job of mixing pitches to get us off balance late in the game.”

First baseman Anthony Mackenzie started the bottom of the first with a double down the right field line and right fielder Bryce Madron singled into center field. Harris followed with a run-scoring base hit up the middle and Pettis and Spikerman walked, as each of the first five batters reached for the Sooners. Nicklaus and Clark plated runs on back-to-back singles to make it a five-run first inning.

Madron led off the second inning with a base hit and raced to third on a failed pickoff attempt, scoring on Pettis’ groundout to short. Muniz doubled home designated hitter Easton Carmichael in the third.

Oklahoma’s defense once again came through with outstanding plays. Pettis robbed a would-be two-run home run in the top of the fourth inning, leaping to bring the ball back from over the left field wall.

Two innings before, Clark sprinted in on a bunt attempt, fielding the ball halfway between home plate and the pitcher’s mound and making the throw up the first base line on the run for the out. He also started a 5-4-3 double play in the fourth inning. In the ninth, Madron ran down a pop fly on the right field line for the first out of the frame.

Oklahoma will play its next seven games on the road, beginning with a Tuesday contest at Dallas Baptist. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.