Sooners Making Adjustments for Big 12 Play

Oklahoma’s changed some things up as they advance in conference play, and are refocusing for a strong performance against Texas Tech this weekend.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:18 pm

By: News On 6

Sooners Making Adjustments for Big 12 Play

Originally Published: Mar 31, 2011 8:1 PM CDT

Stephany Speck
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

NORMAN, Oklahoma -- The Oklahoma Sooners are back on track after hitting a rough patch just before the beginning of conference play. Now, OU’s preparing for a three-game series in Norman against Texas Tech. The No. 7 Sooners are 19-6 and 2-3 in conference, heading their series against Texas Tech (17-8, 4-2) this weekend.

“Our job is to be the best team that we can be by the end of the year. We’ve got to a team that can win series and advance through the Big 12 tournament, through the NCAA tournament and hopefully regionals to get to Omaha,” head coach Sunny Golloway said. “But if we want to win a Big 12 title, we better have a sense of urgency this weekend.”

The team’s made some adjustments in the last few games, pulling Jack Mayfield from shortstop and putting him back on the mound -- where he shined last season as a freshman.

“I just want to help the team in any way I can, so I’m going to do the best I can at where ever they put me,” Mayfield said.

Mayfield may see some more time pitching this weekend, due to the absence of Ryan Duke. The team’s record-breaking closer suffered a strained forearm and is day-to-day. The Sooners also have a newer look thanks in part to designated hitter Evan Mistich. He’s made an immediate impact for his new team, sometimes playing better as an individual than the team’s fared in games.

Oklahoma split its first two games against Missouri in a three-game series last week, but the third and final contest was cancelled due to weather. OU went on to beat St. Gregory’s on March 27 in Norman, but their game against Arkansas was canceled due to inclement weather on the 29.

“We were kind of pumped about that game, actually. Arkansas is a great team and we think it would have been a good test for us,”Mistich said. “They’re a feisty team. They’ve been playing pretty well?like any weekend in the Big 12, it’s not going to be easy.”

Game one begins on April 1 at 6:30 p.m. Once the series wraps up, the Sooners won’t have much time to prep for in-state rivals, the Oklahoma State Cowboys. The first Beldam matchup is scheduled for next Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.