We’ve seen college baseball in and around the Sooner State since the last weekend of January, this past week saw the start of the season for the three NCAA D1 schools in our state.
While the focus for a lot people was on the D1 games, we here at SSBR keep an eye on all the happenings for the college squads and here are the Five Things You Should Know from the week that was.
1. Sooners Look Impressive in Arlington
OU has had some good recruiting classes in recent years and couple that with an impressive incoming transfer class, the expectations coming into 2024 were high.
The Sooners started the season with three games in Globe Life Park in Arlington, TX against Oregon, Tennessee, and Nebraska. Oregon lost in the Super Regionals against Oral Roberts in 2023, Tennessee was a College World Series qualifier, and Nebraska won 33 games in 2023. Not exactly the easiest 3 games to start the season.
After OU lost a close 4-2 game to the Ducks, the Sooners saw the Volunteers the next night. OU battled Rocky Top pitch for pitch until they blew it open in the 10th inning for a 5-1 victory over the preseason #9 team.
OU had to turn around and play a pesky Cornhusker team less than 12 hours later. Nebraska had a 6-3 lead after 6 innings. OU scored 2 in the 7th inning, then they scored 2 in the 9th and won the game on a walk off hit by Ft Cobb-Broxton’s Jaxon Willits (his first college hit).
2. UCO Runs Record to 11-0
UCO came into the week at the #1 team in the initial SSBR College Power 10 with a record of 8-0. They had a midweek game vs ECU and a 2 game set vs Oklahoma Christian. The Tigers and Eagles had a combined win total of 3 games between them.
The #20 Bronchos did what they needed to do. They went 3-0 and scored a combined 38 runs in the 3 games.
UCO has been impressive on the mound this season. They have a team ERA of just 2.43 and have 95 Ks in 89 innings pitched.
The Bronchos have a huge week ahead. They play Southeast OK State on Tuesday before opening MIAA play on the road at #4 Central Missouri.
3. Oklahoma Baptist Starts GAC Conference Play 3-0
OBU had a big week scheduled last week. They had a midweek game at #23 Missouri Southern where they got boat raced 21-6.
However, the bigger part of their schedule was over the weekend as the hosted Arkansas Tech. It was the first true home game(s) for the Bison after a tornado damaged their ballpark and the Wonder Boys were picked #2 in the GAC preseason poll.
The Bison (who were picked 4th in the preseason poll) looked to make a statement to the rest of the GAC teams and that they did. Not only did they win the series, they swept the Wonder Boys, 3-0.
OBU travels to Harding University this coming weekend.
4. Rogers State On A Hot Streak
Rogers State started the season by going 0-2 at the Dugan Invitational in Hot Springs, AR. They’ve been on a heater ever since.
This past weekend the Hillcats swept their 3 game series vs McKendree. RSU has now won 6 of their last 7 games to move their record to 6-3 on the season.
The Hillcats play SNU on Tuesday and go to Wichita, KS for their opening MIAA series with Newman. Don’t be surprised if the Hillcats’ record shows 10 wins at this time next week.
5. USAO Gets Back On Track
USAO had started the season 5-1 before losing their two games at the Cajun Collision. So coming into this past weekend’s series vs #7 Bellevue, it was imperative the Drovers win the series.
It didn’t get off to a good start as the Drovers lost game 1 on Saturday.
The Drovers had an opportunity on Sunday with a double header still to play.
After putting up a 4 spot in the 2nd inning of game 1, USAO never trailed again winning 7-5.
Game 2 was a barn burner to say the least. The Drovers took a 6-4 lead after 4 before Bellevue scored 4 in the 5th to go up 8-6. In the 6th inning is when the doors blew off for the Drovers when they scored 9 runs to go on to win 15-10.
USAO is now 7-4 on the season and travels to Kansas City next Friday & Saturday to play Kansas Christian College.
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