OU Baseball Squad Falls To Lamar, 8-4, In Series Opener

Feb. 22, 2002

NORMAN, Okla. - Coming off of a series sweep against Southeast Missouri State last weekend, the Oklahoma baseball team (5-2) dropped its first of three games against Lamar, 8-4, Friday afternoon at L. Dale Mitchell Park. The Sooners had more hits than the Cardinals (11 to eight), however they committed five costly errors and Lamar's Jesse Floyd pitched 8.2 innings en route to his third win of the season. Lamar is now 6-5 on the year.

"We had 11 hits, but none of them seemed to come when we needed them," said Oklahoma head coach Larry Cochell. "It's all about execution and we didn't execute today. We threw some balls away and we didn't score when we had opportunities to brings guys in. We need to bounce back and learn from the mistakes we made today. The beauty of baseball is that we get to come out and play again tomorrow and then Sunday."

Rocky Cherry (1-2) took the loss for the Sooners after going 5.2 innings and giving up five hits and seven runs (all unearned). He walked four Cardinals (two of which were intentional) and struck out six, but he committed two fielding errors on the day. Kyle Bebout pitched two scoreless innings of relief and freshman David Purcey gave up one hit and one run in an inning and a third. Floyd (3-0) gave up 10 hits and four runs and struck out five for Lamar.

Junior Chris Jakubauskas hit his third home run of the season in the first inning and leadoff man Reggie Willits went 2-for-2 with one run scored and one driven in on the day. Jason Fransz continued his hot start to the 2002 season by going 2-for-4 and freshman third baseman Matt Bose had two hits and a run batted in.

Oklahoma staged a two-out rally in the ninth inning as junior Luke Alexander was inserted as a pinch hitter for Denver Kitch and proceeded to knock a triple into right center field. Willits doubled on the next play, bringing Alexander home, and then Eddie Cornejo singled to drive in Willits. Cardinal reliever Chadd McNulty, however, got Charlie Frasier to pop out to seal the Lamar win.

OU continues its series with Lamar on Saturday at 1 p.m. at L. Dale Mitchell Park. Senior Evan Greusel, 1-0 on the season thus far, will take the mound for the Sooners.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

OU Baseball Squad Falls To Lamar, 8-4, In Series Opener

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