The Sooners improved to 20-3 with the win, including a 4-2 mark in SEC play. Oklahoma saw production up and down the lineup with six Sooners registering an RBI in the contest.
After OU starting right-handed pitcher Malachi Witherspoon retired the side in order at the top of the first, OU jumped in front on an RBI groundout from junior Easton Carmichael in the home half.
In the second, junior Dawson Willis continued his hot streak at the plate with an RBI double to push the lead to a pair.
Mississippi State (15-9, 1-5) took the lead 3-2 at the top of the third via two-run double and RBI single before the Sooners answered back by scoring the game’s final five runs.
Redshirt sophomore Sam Christiansen belted a leadoff home run to right field in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game before a three-run sixth inning gave Oklahoma the lead and some insurance.
After a leadoff single from junior Trey Gambill and an error that allowed him to get to second, Carmichael delivered his second RBI of the game to give OU the lead. Three batters later, a fielder’s choice from freshman Kyle Branch brought home Carmichael. A groundout RBI from pinch hitter Brayden Horton closed the scoring in the frame and gave OU a 6-3 lead after six.
OU freshman Jaden Barfield put the Bulldogs down in order at the top of the seventh before OU closer Dylan Crooks entered in the eighth. Crooks helped his own cause in the bottom of the eighth. Hitting in the DH spot after starting catcher Scott Mudler exited due to injury and Carmichael replaced Mudler behind the plate, Crooks laid down a sacrifice bunt to score Branch from third.
Crooks continued to steal the show at the top of the ninth, retiring the side in order with a pair of strikeouts to collect his SEC-leading seventh save of the season.
Six Sooners registered a hit in the game with Carmichael leading OU with a 2-for-4, two RBI performance. OU stole six bases in the contest, highlighted by sophomore Jaxon Willits’ pair of stolen bases on one pitch in the first inning.
On the mound, Witherspoon went 4.1 innings and surrendered one earned run on seven hits with five strikeouts and a walk. Relief arms Beau Sampson (0.2 IP), Jason Bodin (1.0), Barfield (1.1) and Crooks (1.2) combined to keep the Bulldogs scoreless the final four innings with Crooks fanning a pair and Bodin striking out one.
Oklahoma hits the road for a midweek contest at Oral Roberts on Tuesday at 6 p.m. CT. The game can be seen via ESPN+ and heard in Oklahoma on 99.3 FM/1400 AM The REF or nationwide on The Varsity Network app with Toby Rowland on the call.
Up next in conference play, Oklahoma heads to Tuscaloosa, Ala., next weekend to face the Crimson Tide, March 28-30.
For updates and more information on Oklahoma Baseball, follow the Sooners on Twitter/X and Instagram (@OU_Baseball) and like Oklahoma Baseball on Facebook.
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