Sooners Get Back in the Swing of Things

Stephany Speck
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma -- The Oklahoma Sooners played in their final game of the Big 12 Tournament Saturday, claiming a 13-2 win over the Kansas State Wildcats.

The slaughtering came in large part thanks to the Sooners ability to leave Friday’s struggles in the past. OU battled at the plate against Baylor, stranding base runners six out of the nine innings, preventing them from scoring.

A good night’s rest and plenty of motivation helped revive the team’s bats.

“I thought we played well today,” head coach Sunny Golloway said. “I thought it was really important that we played well and that we win today.”

And play well they did.

The Sooners’ scoring streak was led by third basemen Garrett Buechele, who launched two homers in back-to-back at-bats.

“I put a good swing on it,” Buechele said. “The second bomb I hit he hung me a breaking back with two strikes. I put another good swing on it and put it out of the yard.”

Buechele’s bombs extended his current hitting streak to eight games and allowed him to pass teammates Cameron Seitzer and Max White for the team lead in homers with 15.

The two home run day was Buechele’s second multi-homer run game--the first occurring April 13 in Stillwater against the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

Buechele was battered by the end of the game—having been hit by a pitch in both at-bats following the homers.

“I could have gone without the beam balls, but two bombs felt good,” Buechele said.

After being hit the second time, Golloway pulled the third baseman, giving other teammates the opportunity to see playing time.

“That hit on the finger was a quick reminder that I need to do the right thing,” Golloway said. “You don’t want to get anyone hurt at this point.”

The Sooners had no chance at the championship game, regardless of if they won or lost, but the victory still held value to the team. Oklahoma is in the running to host an NCAA Regionals, which would give the Sooners home field advantage.

“You work hard all year,” Golloway said. “It’s really the body of work, but you don’t want to give any stumbling.”

The official announcement on Regional host locations will be made Sunday. In the meantime, the Sooners will hit the field in two-a-days to prepare for the NCAA Regionals.