Oklahoma Falls To Arizona State, 6-4, Six-Game Win Streak Ends

March 16, 2002

MESA, Ariz. - The Oklahoma baseball squad (14-5, 3-0 Big 12) dropped a 6-4 ballgame to No. 11 Arizona State (16-7) on Saturday evening, bringing the team's season-long six-game win streak to an end. In his first start of the season after making eight relief appearances, Mark Roberts pitched six innings and allowed five runs on nine hits, while striking out two. The loss drops the sophomore from Owasso to 3-2 on the season.

"This is a disappointing loss, however it was a well-played game and we had opportunities," said Oklahoma head coach Larry Cochell. "Against a good team like Arizona State, you have to cash in when you have chances. We were a little undisciplined at the plate and we have to make some adjustments, but hopefully we can bounce back and win this series tomorrow."

ASU jumped ahead early with two runs in the first inning as the Sun Devils strung together four singles and a sacrifice fly. Robbie McClellan, who was a teammate of current Sooner reliever Curtis White the past two seasons at Seward (Kan.) Community College, allowed just one hit through four innings of play.

However, in the fifth frame, OU loaded the bases and scored three runs off McClellan, highlighted by Denver Kitch's double off the right field wall which brought home two runs. Reggie Willits then singled to center to drive home Spencer Wyman and give the Sooners a 3-2 lead. The Sun Devils answered with three runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 5-3 lead.

Spencer Wyman belted his first home run of the season in the seventh inning to bring the Sooners within one run, but ASU scored a run in the eighth to make it 6-4 and Ryan Schroyer closed the door on Oklahoma for his first save on the year. McClellan moves to 5-2 with the win.

Reggie Willits went 2-for-3 with an RBI and Wyman had a base hit, a home run and two runs scored.

Game attendance at Hohokam Park, the spring training home of the Chicago Cubs, was 2,654. Oklahoma looks to win the series rubber match on Sunday at 7 p.m. MST as Austin Mix (3-1, 2.16 ERA) takes the mound for OU and Bryce Kartler (2-0, 3.37 ERA) mans the hill for the Sun Devils.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Oklahoma Falls To Arizona State, 6-4, Six-Game Win Streak Ends

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