Exciting Midweek Showdown: No. 16 Oklahoma Baseball Takes on Texas Southern!

NORMAN – The No. 16 Oklahoma Sooners kick off a five-game home series with two games against Texas Southern on February 25 and 26. Both games start at 4 p.m. CT. You can catch the action on SECN+ or listen on the radio at 99.3 FM/1400 AM in Oklahoma, or via The Varsity app.

Oklahoma has started strong this season, going 6-0, their best start since 2019. Recently, they clinched first place at the Round Rock Classic by defeating Minnesota, No. 7 Oregon State, and No. 2 Virginia in a thrilling 12-inning game. It was also their first victory over a top-ranked team since 2021.

This weekend’s matchup against Texas Southern marks their eighth and ninth all-time meetings, with the Sooners holding a perfect record of 7-0 against the Tigers.

ROUND ROCK RECAP

Oklahoma put on a show at the Round Rock Classic, winning all three games in a competitive tournament. In their opener, pitcher Kyson Witherspoon impressed with 12 strikeouts, leading to a tight 3-2 victory over Minnesota. Despite giving up an early homer, he dominated the rest of the game.

Facing off against Oregon State, the Sooners bounced back after an early deficit to win 8-4, feature strong offensive performances with home runs from Scott Mudler and Easton Carmichael.

In a dramatic finish against Virginia, OU fought back from a 3-0 deficit. The game went into extra innings, and thanks to a well-placed bunt from junior Dawson Willis, they secured a 5-4 walk-off win in the 12th inning. The bullpen showed off too, allowing just one earned run in nine innings.

Kyle Branch, a standout freshman, earned the tournament MVP title. He batted .462 across the weekend and contributed significantly on defense.

FOR FANS

This Tuesday, fans can enjoy “$2 Tuesday” at L. Dale Mitchell Park. Grab your favorite snacks like hot dogs and popcorn for just two bucks!

On Wednesday, fans can take advantage of a special $20 ticket combo for the game against Texas Southern and the men’s basketball game against No. 17 Kentucky later that night.

WITHERSPOON RECOGNIZED

Kyson Witherspoon also received the SEC Pitcher of the Week award for his stellar performance against Minnesota, where he earned a career-high number of strikeouts. His season stats are impressive, with a 2-0 record and a 2.25 ERA.

NEW SEASON, NEW FACES

With several key players having moved on, the 2025 Sooners are introducing new leadership. The team signed 28 newcomers, including 16 transfers. They will feature talented players like right-hander Jason Bodin and outfielder Brayden Horton.

Freshmen like Kyle Branch and Drew Dickerson are also expected to play significant roles early on.

PREVIEWING THE SEC

Oklahoma officially joins the Southeastern Conference in July 2024. The Sooners will face tough competition, playing 30 conference games, including matchups against recent national champions. Their first SEC series will be against South Carolina in March 2025.

SCHEDULE MASTERY

This year’s schedule includes 31 home games, with challenges against 13 teams that reached the 2024 NCAA tournament. Fans can look forward to matchups that highlight Oklahoma’s impressive competitive spirit.

KEEPING UP WITH RANKINGS

The Sooners made headlines by jumping to No. 16 in the D1Baseball poll, a notable rise after starting the season unranked. Their early performance against ranked opponents has set a positive tone for the rest of the season.