Golloway's Faith Rewarded in Win over North Carolina

Oklahoma head coach Sunny Golloway took some chances in the Sooners’ winner’s bracket win over North Carolina.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 11:47 am

By: News On 6

Golloway's Faith Rewarded in Win over North Carolina

Originally Published: Jun 6, 2010 12:46 AM CDT

More Norman Regional baseball coverage from Oklahoma Sports
- Oral Roberts Avoids Elimination with Walk-Off Home Run
- Unlikely Hero Comes up Clutch for Golden Eagles
- Oklahoma Tops North Carolina in Dramatic Fashion
- Golloway’s Faith Rewarded in Win over Tar Heels

Gerald Goodridge
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

NORMAN, Oklahoma -- Known more for his speed than his power, even Erik Ross was surprised when Oklahoma head coach Sunny Golloway opted not to pinch hit for him with runners on first and second in the top of the tenth.

“When I was on deck, I actually peeked in the dugout to see who was going to get me,” said Ross. “I was just trying to do the best thing I could, which was put the ball in play.”

Everyone was surprised when he sent a fastball to deep center and it bounced over the wall for a ground-rule double to score the go-ahead run.

“If you were in the dugout you should have heard some of the things that were said,” said Golloway.

The sophomore junior college transfer was 12-of-60 for the season, had driven in just six runs and only hit one extra-base hit. But Golloway’s faith in his players, and specifically Ross, was rewarded when the 153-pound left fielder drove in the winning run.

“You have to believe in your players,” said Golloway. “You just have to get out of the way and let them play.”

Ross wasn’t the only player that the Sooner skipper took a chance on.

Zach Neal fractured his ankle in the Sooners’ regular season finale against Kansas and was less than effective in his last outing for the OU. In the Sooners’ loss to Baylor in the Big 12 Tournament, Neal gave up five earned runs on four hits and was pulled after just three innings.

Golloway made the call late to go with the junior righty from Flower Mound, Texas, and Neal repaid him 10 strikeouts in eight innings against a team who averaged just 8.7 per game.

“I was able to get ahead in counts and throw good pitches,” said Neal. “My defense played well and I was able to get a couple of strike outs when I needed them.”

Oklahoma has the opportunity to wait and see who they will face in the Sunday night game while ORU and North Carolina play in an elimination game. After needing extras to top both teams in their previous meetings, the Sooners know that it won’t be an easy battle to advance to the Super Regional.

“We are playing in the NCAA Tournament and nobody is going to lie down,” said Golloway. “They are going to fight to the end.”