OU Baseball: Oklahoma Outlasts No. 11 West Virginia in Morgantown

Behind a strong start from Braden Carmichael and some power hitting, the Sooners found a way to even the series with the Mountaineers in Morgantown.

A big win evens things up.

After losing the opener on Friday night, Oklahoma resumed their series with No. 11 West Virginia on Saturday afternoon at Monongalia County Ballpark in Morgantown, WV.

Behind a solid outing from Braden Carmichael and some power hitting, the Sooners (26-21, 10-10) bounced back from yesterday’s loss to take down the Mountaineers (35-12, 12-5) by a final tally of 6-3.

Getting the fun started for OU was one of their most reliable hitters all season long in right fielder Bryce Madron.

For the second straight day, the JUCO transfer cracked a home run - his 11th of the season - to score a pair and give the Sooners a quick 2-0 lead.

𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐧𝐨 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞. @Bryce_madron pic.twitter.com/lVlg3iZ0Nk

— Oklahoma Baseball (@OU_Baseball) May 6, 2023

After West Virginia got one run in the bottom half of the first, both starting pitchers settled in.

Both Carmichael and WVU starter Blaine Traxel worked scoreless frames for each of the next four innings - freezing the score at 2-1 OU through five.

In the sixth, another one of Oklahoma’s biggest contributors would deliver with shortstop Dakota Harris launching a two-run shot of his own to pad OU’s advantage.

Harris went oppo for #️⃣7️⃣ 🌮 pic.twitter.com/3AYIpBn572

— Oklahoma Baseball (@OU_Baseball) May 6, 2023

The Mountaineers, however, immediately erased Harris’ long ball, with WVU striking for two runs right back in the bottom half to trim the Sooners’ lead back down to a single run.

The margin remained 4-3 into the eighth when Oklahoma would again get themselves some highly-welcomed insurance.

Kendall Pettis and Sebastian Orduno each picked up RBI singles in the inning, to push the Sooners’ edge out to 6-3 and provide some breathing room.

Right-hander Will Carsten would then finish the game, as he recorded the seven outs out of the bullpen in relief of Carmichael. 

Carmichael's day finished up with a line of 6.2 innings worked allowing seven hits and three earned runs while striking out six - continuing a resurgence for him in the second half of the season. 

The win is Oklahoma’s seventh in their last nine games and gives them an opportunity to go for their third straight series win tomorrow.

The rubber match of the set is scheduled for 10 a.m. CT on Sunday, moved up for the originally scheduled noon CT due to impending weather in Morgantown.