Oklahoma continue their run, upend Texas A&M
The Oklahoma Sooners aren’t finished turning the tables on nationally-ranked teams, blasting their way past Texas A&M in Game 1 of the College World Series
One of the few teams that looked to stay true to form coming into Omaha was Texas A&M. The Aggies came into the contest one of only four ranked teams to make it to the final eight, and the highest-ranked squad left in the contest.
Texas A&M were expected to overpower the Sooners, particularly from the mound, but it looks as if Oklahoma didn’t get the memo.
While the Aggies were expected to post a big number with their bats, and they did just that with eight runs scored, Oklahoma broke character and put up thirteen to take down the number-five ranked team in the nation.
The Sooners have had a post season that can only be described as “blessed”. With a shaky May under their belts, where they won series, but dropped individual games in each, Oklahoma’s stock dropped going into the Big 12 tournament. But then the magic dust started to rub off on the Sooners.
They sailed through the Big 12, winning every game comfortably, albeit with low score lines. Then in the Gainesville regional, they upended the favored Florida Gators, before pulling one of the big upsets within a post season of upsets by taking out fourth-ranked Virgina Tech in the super regionals.
Now their blessed run has moved into the College World Series itself, taking Game 1 off of the number-five ranked Texas Longhorns 13-8.
The long ball was the key for Sooners, with a three-run shot and a grand slam giving them seven of their thirteen runs, and meaning the difference in losing a close one and blowing out the opposition.
Oklahoma have the batting prowess to put up those kind of runs, even if they are not very reliant on the home run shot as their main offensive weapon. But the real surprise of the game came on the defensive side, with Texas A&M struggling mightily on the mound, surrendering 14 walks on the game, while Oklahoma’s pitching staff stepped their game up a notch, recording 11 strikeouts.
If the Aggies want to stay in this competition, they will need to raise their level, particularly on the mound. For the Sooners, their storied run may still have some life in it yet. They watched their counterparts on the ladies softball team win the WCWS to become national champions just two weeks ago. It is perhaps too early to dream of it, but maybe they can match the ladies’ success and bring the men’s trophy back to Norman, Oklahoma, too. Stranger things have happened.