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University of Oklahoma Athletics
Oklahoma Baseball Visits Texas A&M
April 05, 2000 | Baseball
April 5, 2000
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NORMAN, Okla. - Oklahoma (18-14, 6-6 Big 12) will take on two Texas teams this week for four games. The games, one against TCU and three against Texas A&M, are part of a string of eight straight contests against teams from Texas.
TCU (13-21, 4-7 WAC) and OU will resume play of their Feb. 22 game suspended in Fort Worth, Texas, at 4 p.m. on Tuesday before playing their regularly scheduled game 20 minutes following the conclusion of the first game. The suspended game will pick up in the top of the sixth inning with the Sooners leading the Horned Frogs, 10-8.
Texas A&M and Oklahoma square off this weekend in a three-game set. Friday and Saturday's games are scheduled for 7 p.m. start times, while the final game will be played at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Saturday night's game will be televised by FOX Sports Net.
LAST TIME OUT
Oklahoma picked up its second win over a top-25 team in a week on Sunday with its 11-7 victory over No. 3 Texas. The win came in the second game of a doubleheader in which the Sooners dropped the first contest, 18-5, in a seven-inning run rule decision to the Longhorns. OU defeated No. 11 Cal State-Fullerton last Tuesday, 4-3, in a game played at the Southwestern Bell Ballpark in Oklahoma City.
Zach Lekse went 3-for-8 with two runs scored and three RBIs in the doubleheader. Lekse hammered his first home run of the season in the second game, which was followed by a shot by shortstop Tommy Whiteman.
THE HISTORY
The Sooners have taken victories in the last seven games versus the Horned Frogs. All seven contests were tight as Oklahoma did not win by more than three runs in any of the games in the streak. Head coach Larry Cochell is 15-6 against TCU during his tenure at OU.
Texas A&M leads the series 7-5 against Oklahoma under Cochell. The Sooners went 2-5 in 1999 against the Aggies, including a 10-5 upset victory of top-seeded Texas A&M in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament.
SCOUTING THE HORNED FROGS
TCU (13-21, 4-7 WAC) enters today's contest after splitting two games at Rice over the weekend. The Horned Frogs emerged victorious in Friday night's game, 3-0, before dropping the Saturday game, 12-3. Sunday's finale between the two teams was rained out and is scheduled to be made up on a future date.
As of March 28, first baseman Mark Hamilton led all Horned Frog hitters with a .423 average and a team-leading six home runs and 27 RBIs. Righthander Chris Bradshaw has a 2-3 record and a starting pitching staff-best 4.04 ERA.
SCOUTING THE AGGIES
Texas A&M (20-16, 10-5 Big 12) enters the weekend tied for second place in the conference after rattling off seven-straight league wins before losing 8-1 to Kansas on Sunday. The Aggies will face the ninth-ranked Houston Cougars on Tuesday before hosting the Sooners over the weekend.
Outfielder Daylan Holt leads the Aggies offensive charge with a a team-best 12 home runs and 37 RBIs, while sporting a .361 average. Righthander Todd Deininger has captured the most wins on the pitching staff with a 7-2 record and carries a 4.32 ERA.
SOONERS VS. THE AGGIES
OKLAHOMA CAREER STATS VERSUS TEXAS A&M
PITCHERS
| G | W-L | S | ERA | IP | H | R | ER | BB | K | |
| Jeff Bajenaru | 2 | 1-0 | 1 | 0.20 | 5.0 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 9 |
| Michael Bradbury | 1 | 0-1 | 0 | 3.00 | 1.0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Rocky Cherry | 2 | 0-1 | 0 | 3.12 | 6.1 | 9 | 11 | 19 | 6 | 5 |
| Clint Dunbar | 1 | 0-0 | 0 | 0.40 | 5.0 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Evan Greusel | 2 | 0-0 | 0 | 1.25 | 3.2 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Rick Park | 2 | 0-0 | 0 | 10.00 | 0.2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
POSITION PLAYERS
| G | AVG. | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | |
| Jeff Bajenaru | 5 | .235 | 17 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Chad Cochell | 2 | .000 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Zach Lekse | 5 | .435 | 23 | 5 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 1 |
| Sean Murphy | 5 | .227 | 22 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| Rick Park | 11 | .263 | 38 | 3 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 7 |
| Jeremy Vidales | 5 | .231 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Tommy Whiteman | 5 | .286 | 21 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Josh Witcher | 4 | .000 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
BIG 12 PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Oklahoma first baseman Rick Park was named the Big 12 Conference Baseball Player of the Week for the week of March 27-April 2. Park, a senior from Norman, Okla., led the Sooners with a team-best .500 average, connecting in eight of 16 at bats over the week. He also was credited with seven RBIs and scored five runs to lead the Sooners. In addition, Park registered three multi-hit performances in four games.
The Sooner co-captain went 2-for-3 at the plate with two RBIs and scored the winning run in OU's 4-3 upset victory of 11th-ranked Cal State-Fullerton last Tuesday. Park then led the Sooners' offensive attack against third-ranked Texas in Sunday's doubleheader by going 5-for-8 at the plate, scoring three runs and adding four RBIs, including a three-run homer in the first game.
Park's week-long performance moved him into sole possession of sixth place on the school's career home run (40) and RBI (177) list. Park is currently batting .319 with a team-leading seven home runs and 24 RBIs.
The honor is the first conference player of the week garnered by Park in his four-year career at Oklahoma and the first awarded to a Sooner player this season. The honoree is selected on a weekly basis by a select panel of media.
DIAMOND NOTES
Zach Lekse and Tommy Whiteman hit the first back-to-back home runs of the season for the Sooners in Sunday's 11-7 victory against Texas.
Lekse extended his career-high hitting streak to 13 games on Sunday as well as hitting his first home run of the season.
Juniors Jerome Godsey, Jason Bartlett and Sean Murphy have played and started in every game on the year.
Righthander Austin Mix has yet to allow an opponent to reach double-digit hits in any of his six starts.
Oklahoma went 3-4 over the past two weeks in their stretch of seven games against Top 25 opponents.
The Sooners' season-high six-game errorless streak ended last Tuesday versus Cal State-Fullerton when OU committed one error in the game.
OU is one stolen base away from breaking last year's total of 44.
The team has racked up victories on the last five-consecutive Sunday's.
WHO'S HOT
Third baseman Jason Bartlett - Batting .429 (12-for-28) over the last two weeks with four runs scored and four RBIs, including a 4-for-4 effort against No. 21 Baylor ... Currently riding a three-game hitting streak which matches a season high.
Leftfielder Chad Cochell - Started in four of the last five games ... Hitting .400 (6-for-15) with four RBIs over the last two weeks ... Collected a career-high three hits against No. 21 Baylor.
Centferfielder Jerome Godsey - Currently riding a five-game hitting streak in which he is hitting .474 (9-for-19) with five runs scored and two RBIs.
Pitcher Evan Greusel - Posted nine scoreless innings before giving up four runs in his first start of the season on Friday against No. 3 Texas ... Has a 1.26 ERA over his last four appearances.
Infielder Zach Lekse - Currently riding a career-high 13 game hitting streak in which he is hitting .408 (20-for-49) ... Hit his first home run of the season on Sunday against No. 3 Texas.
First baseman Rick Park - Batting .364 (12-for-33) with seven runs scored and eight RBIs over the last two weeks ... Went 5-for-8 at the plate in a doubleheader against No. 3 Texas on Sunday.
UPCOMING GAME PROMOTIONS
Giveaways and special events will accompany every home game until the end of the season. The first 150 fans at each game will be given free promotional items, like keychains and koozies, as they come through the gates. Selected home games will be designated for special promotional themes, including Pack the Park (April 11) and Fan Appreciation/Senior Night (May 8).
PARK IN THE RECORD BOOKS
As senior Rick Park enters his final season in a Sooner uniform, the Norman, Okla., native looks primed to climb his way to the top of several Oklahoma career offensive records. In addition to the categories listed, Park also has the opportunity to break into the top ten in career hits, career runs scored and career doubles.
CAREER HOME RUNS:
| 1. | Casey Bookout | 60 | 1996-99 |
| 2. | Brian Shackelford | 55 | 1995-98 |
| 3. | John Russell | 48 | 1980-82 |
| 4. | Chris Ebright | 45 | 1987-89 |
| 5. | Kevin Pearson | 43 | 1983-86 |
| 6. | Rick Park | 40 | 1997- |
CAREER RBIs
| 1. | Brian Shackelford | 251 | 1995-98 | |
| 2. | Chris Ebright | 239 | 1987-89 | |
| 3. | Casey Bookout | 220 | 1996-99 | |
| 4. | Rich Hills | 190 | 1992-95 | |
| 5. | Kevin Pearson | 186 | 1983-86 | |
| 6. | Rick Park | 177 | 1997- |
CAREER EXTRA BASE HITS
| 1. | Brian Shackelford | 132 | 1995-98 |
| 2. | Chris Ebright | 120 | 1987-89 |
| 3. | Casey Bookout | 119 | 1996-99 |
| 4. | Kevin Pearson | 97 | 1983-86 |
| 5. | Rich Hills | 95 | 1992-95 |
| 6. | Damon Minor | 90 | 1993-96 |
| 7. | Rick Park | 88 | 1997- |
DEFENSIVE GEM
Senior Zach Lekse was recognized in October as a Division I runner-up for the 1999 Easton Redline Defensive Award. The annual award, which is published in Collegiate Baseball, is presented to an individual in each NCAA division and at the high school level who has displayed outstanding defensive skills in the field.
As a member of the OU baseball team that finished the season ranked third in the nation in fielding percentage, the Martinez, Calif., native was a main contributor to the team's defensive success. Starting all 59 games for the Sooners, Lekse made 75 putouts, a team-high 171 assists while committing only 12 errors. He also sported a .953 fielding percentage. Lekse's outstanding defensive numbers combined with a solid offensive effort earned the former junior college transfer second-team All-Big 12 honors at the shortstop position in his first season of Big 12 competition.
MILESTONE VICTORY
With the Sooners' 9-4 victory on opening day against Oklahoma Baptist, head coach Larry Cochell picked up his 350th win at Oklahoma. Beginning his tenth year at OU, Cochell has acheived the milestone quicker than any other baseball coach in school history. It is the second time in his coaching career that Cochell has surpassed the mark as he accomplished 428 victories as the head coach at Oral Roberts.
AYE, AYE CAPTAIN!
Head coach Larry Cochell, who has only named a team captain once during his tenure at Oklahoma, has chosen seniors Jeff Bajenaru, Zach Lekse and Rick Park to act as the team's co-captains for the 2000 season. The trio are the first team captains to be named by Cochell since 1995 when Rich Hills was appointed the duties.
SWITCHING PLACES
The heart of the Sooners' infield, returning starters Zach Lekse and Tommy Whiteman, have encountered position changes for the 2000 season. A second team All-Big 12 selection at shortstop last year, Lekse will spend the year securing the defense up the middle of the infield at second base, while Whiteman will move from third base, where he started last year, into the vacancy left at shortstop by Lekse.
YOUNG GUNS
Of Oklahoma's 14 pitchers on the roster, half are underclassmen and five are in their first year of pitching at the Division I level.
Freshmen Brandon Hankins, Austin Mix and Patrick Wyrick are expected to make immediate impacts on the team. Mix is expected to eventually find his way into the starting rotation, while Hankins and Wyrick will play substantial roles in relief. Following elbow surgery performed over the summer, Hankins is anticipated to be available for action beginning in March. Wyrick is the 2000 recruiting class' lone draft pick as he was the Montreal Expos' 18th round pick in the 1999 Amateur Draft held in June.
Returning sophomores Michael Bradbury, Rocky Cherry, Clint Dunbar and Evan Greusel picked up a wealth of pitching experience in their first year on the mound in 1999, in both starting and relief roles, combining to pitch a total of 153 innings and tally nine wins.
JUCO transfers Mike Hale and Chuck Thumann will face their first Division I action this year coming out of the bullpen.
TOUGH COMPETITION
Once again, the Sooners' 2000 schedule features some of the country's toughest opponents. This season's competition includes seven teams that were ranked in the final 1999 Baseball America Top 25 poll as well as three 1999 College World Series participants. In addition to last year's final rankings, 10 of OU's 2000 opponents are ranked in either the 2000 Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball or Baseball Weekly/ESPN preseason polls.
For the fifth consecutive year, national powerhouse Arizona State will engage in a home-and-home series with the Sooners. Other schedule highlights include an appearance at the Southwestern Bell Ballpark in Oklahoma City on March 29 by 1999 College World Series participant Cal State-Fullerton. Oklahoma faces Texas A&M, another College World Series qualifier, on April 7-9 in College Station, Texas. Big 12 rival Texas travels to Norman for a three-game series beginning March 31, and OU will head to Lafayette, La. (Feb. 25-27), to face Louisiana-Lafayette who finished the 1999 season ranked 18th in the nation.
Oklahoma's annual Bedlam Series with 1999 College World Series participant Oklahoma State will be held at the end of April. The first of the three games will be played in Tulsa on Friday, April 21 at 7:30 pm, at Driller's Stadium. The Southwestern Bell Bricktown Ballpark will host the final two games at 1 pm on Saturday, April 22, and Sunday, April 23. The series attracted over 42,235 fans over four games last year.
TAPPING THE JUCO CIRCUIT
Head coach Larry Cochell brought in a group of highly-touted junior college recruits to aid the Sooners' efforts in 2000. Cochell landed a first team Junior College All-American in Jerome Godsey. Godsey, a pitcher and outfielder at Santa Rosa (Calif.) C.C., batted .358, including 27 RBIs and 13 stolen bases, last season to also earn all-conference honors for the second year in a row.
Infielder Jason Bartlett and catcher/outfielder Eliot Joyner also highlight the JUCO unit. Bartlett averaged .457 with three home runs and 33 stolen bases in his final year at San Joaquin Delta C.C. (Calif.). Joyner garnered honorable mention conference honors in 1999 after hitting .326 with four home runs at Cerritos (Calif.) C.C.
CLASS OF 2001
The Sooners signed seven high school recruits during college baseball's early signing period in the fall to play for the Sooners beginning with the the 2001 season. Six of the signees hail from the state of Oklahoma, while the seventh hails from Arkansas. The recruiting class includes three pitchers, two outfielders, one infielder and one catcher.
Headlining the group is signee Jason Belcher, from Walnut Ridge (Ark.) High School, who is ranked as the 63rd top high school prospect in the nation by Baseball America and rated among the top three high school catchers in the country by Perfect Game scouting service.
SPEAKING OF RECRUITING CLASSES
The current group of newcomers was ranked as one of the top 30 recruiting classes in a recent issue of Collegiate Baseball. The class was rated as the 29th best recruiting class in the nation for 2000. Other Big 12 members listed in the rankings were Texas (3), Texas A&M (7), Oklahoma State (16) and Texas Tech (28).
OFF THE FIELD ACCOMPLISHMENTS
During the fall semester, 16 Sooners achieved a 3.0 or better grade point average for their efforts in the classroom. In addition, 13 players currently hold a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
BEAM CLAY FIELD OF THE YEAR AWARD
The Sooner baseball program was recently awarded second place in the Beam Clay Field of the Year Award competition for L. Dale Mitchell Park's quality field surface. Top honors are awarded to the most outstanding baseball fields in the nation at the professional, collegiate, high school and parks and recreation levels.
Oklahoma took first place honors in 1994, the last time OU was able to enter the contest. Programs can enter the competition only once every five years.
SOONERS ON THE AIR
Every Sooner baseball game will be broadcast on 1400 AM KNOR-Norman, and 1490 AM KOKC-Guthrie. There will also be 10 games aired on the Sooner Radio Network. The broadcast team will consist of Mark Mathew and Mike Treps.
In addition to the radio, each broadcast will be carried on the Internet. To hear Sooner baseball anywhere in the world, log on to the University of Oklahoma's athletic web site at www.soonersports.com.
SOONERS ON TELEVISION
The Sooner baseball team is scheduled to have five games televised this season on major cable television networks. The Oklahoma-Texas series this weekend (March 31 - April 2) will be broadcast by College Sports Southwest. OU will have its contest against Texas A&M on Saturday, April 8, televised by FOX Sports Net at 7 p.m. The second game of the Bedlam Series between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State at the Southwestern Bell Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City on Saturday, April 22 at 2 p.m., will also be broadcast by FOX Sports Net.
SOONER SPORTSTALK
Head coach Larry Cochell talks about Sooner baseball and answers call-in questions every Thursday night at 7 p.m. on Sooner Sportstalk on KOMA 1520 AM. The Red Lobster in Oklahoma City sponsors the live 30-minute radio show which is hosted by local television talent Bob Barry, Sr.
SOONERS AT A GLANCE
2 Zach Lekse
3 Sean Murphy
6 Tommy Whiteman
8 Jerome Godsey
9 Eliot Joyner
22 Jason Bartlett
27 Austin Mix
28 Jeff Bajenaru
32 Rick Park
38 Rocky Cherry
39 Austin Coose
BULLPEN BITS
JEFF BAJENARU:
Saves/blown saves: 6/2
Inherited runners/scored: 6/1
MICHAEL BRADBURY:
Saves/blown saves: -/-
Inherited runners/scored: 1/0
CLINT DUNBAR:
Saves/blown saves: -/-
Inherited runners/scored: 7/5
EVAN GREUSEL:
Saves/blown saves: 1/-
Inherited runners/scored: 4/1
JEFF WIGINGTON:
Saves/blown saves: -/-
Inherited runners/scored: 1/1
BB Highlights: OU 15, Arkansas 10
Sunday, May 10
BB Highlights: OU 4, Florida 3
Friday, May 01
BB Highlights: OU 2, Auburn 1
Saturday, April 25
BB Highlights: OU 7, Oral Roberts 6
Tuesday, April 21
