OU Baseball: Oklahoma Sweeps Houston For Ninth Win in Last Ten Games

Yet again, the Sooners bats got hot in the later innings to build a lead, then surviving a late Cougars rally to complete the weekend sweep.

Putting the finishing touches on an undefeated week.

After another comfortable win to take the series on Saturday night, Oklahoma wrapped up their three-game set against Houston on Sunday afternoon at Schroeder Park in Houston.

Gunning for the sweep and their fifth straight win, the Sooners (11-5) once again came out on top beating the Cougars (5-10) 7-6 behind timely hitting and clutch defense.

Getting the ball in the series finale was left-hander James Hitt, who turned in a solid outing in his second start in an OU uniform.

Hitt worked four-plus innings allowing three hits and two earned runs, finishing his day with a no-decision.

Unlike in Saturday’s win, it would be Oklahoma getting on the board first on Sunday.

Continuing a very strong start to his Sooners tenure, shortstop Dakota Harris crushed an opposite field home run on the first pitch of the second inning to make it 1-0 OU early.

𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨 🌮

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— Oklahoma Baseball (@OU_Baseball) March 12, 2023

Houston would even things back up in the fourth, however, with Cameron Nickens plating a run on a sacrifice fly.

The Cougars then snagged the lead the following inning with Ian McMillan driving home a run on an RBI single down the right field line. At the game’s midway point, UH led 2-1.

But, it was only a matter of time before the Oklahoma bats would awaken.

In the sixth, the Sooners struck for three runs to jump back in the lead on an Anthony Mackenzie RBI single, Mackenzie later scoring on an error, and Jackson Nicklaus drawing a bases loaded walk.

In the bottom half of the frame, the Cougars would rally to load the bases - but right-hander Carson Pierce (2-0) would leave ‘em loaded with a painted called strike three to close the inning.

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐳𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐦

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— Oklahoma Baseball (@OU_Baseball) March 12, 2023

OU plated three more runs next in the seventh, with Sebastian Orduno scoring on a wild pitch, Harris adding one on a sacrifice fly and Easton Carmichael ripped an RBI single up the middle.

Another RBI for Carmichael

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— Oklahoma Baseball (@OU_Baseball) March 12, 2023

At the seventh inning stretch, Oklahoma was comfortably in front by a mark of 7-2.

The Cougars though, to their credit, refused to away as they tried to avoid getting swept at home.

In the bottom of the eighth, UH scored two runs to cut it down it to 7-4 before loaded the bases with two outs for Anthony Tulimero. 

Tulimero delivered in the clutch, ripping a ball down the right field just passed the diving glove of Bryce Madron.

But, Madron quickly scurried to his feet, fired the ball in to Nicklaus at second base who uncorked a seed to Diego Muniz at home plate to nail the tying run at the dish.

𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝!

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— Oklahoma Baseball (@OU_Baseball) March 12, 2023

Through eight, Oklahoma clung to a 7-6 lead. 

In the ninth, right-hander Aaron Weber was called up to seal the deal - and he do just that working around a two-out walk to get OU the win.

The victory completes a 5-0 week for Skip Johnson’s club and is also the team’s ninth in their last ten games after starting the season just 2-4.

Riding high with a lot of momentum and confidence, Oklahoma will remain on the road for a Tuesday night tilt at Wichita State next up. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. in Kansas.