Sooners Rally From Four Runs Down To Top Texas A&M, 9-8

March 23, 2002

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The No. 18 Oklahoma Sooners (16-6, 4-1 Big 12) rallied from as many as four runs down to top the No. 17 Texas A&M Aggies 9-8 in front of 7,012 at Olsen Field Saturday night. Oklahoma took its first lead of the game with a five-run seventh inning and held on for the victory. Michael Bradbury (2-0) got the win for OU after pitching two innings and a third and allowing just one run on three hits.

David Purcey bounced back from a tough outing on Friday night to notch his fifth save of the season. Austin Mix started for Oklahoma and, in three innings, allowed four runs on three hits and struck out three. Logan Kensing (3-1) took the loss for the Aggies.

"This wasn't the prettiest of wins, but we get to add one to the win column and that's the most important thing you can say about this one," said Oklahoma head coach Larry Cochell. "Our kids showed a lot of mental toughness and tenacity and they really took one at bat at a time when we were down. We made plays when we needed to and this is a good win for this young ball club. Our middle relief was very good in Curtis White and Michael Bradbury and David Purcey really came out and pitched well in the ninth."

As was the case with Friday night's game, A&M scored in the first inning to take an early lead. Texas A&M center fielder Eric Reed led off with a single and subsequently scored, as did right fielder Neal Stephenson, to give the Aggies a 2-0 lead. Stephenson then added a two-run home run to left in the third inning to push the A&M lead to four. The homer was just the second allowed by Mix in his eight appearances on the year.

Oklahoma scored a run in the fourth to draw within three, as Charlie Frasier singled to left to bring Matt Arkison home. Then in the fifth, Reggie Willits hit his fifth double of the season and scored on an Arkison base hit to make the score 4-2, A&M. The Sooners tied the game in the sixth inning as designated hitter Luke Alexander knocked a double to right center to bring in two runs.

A&M again took the lead with three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, but OU promptly added five runs of their own in the seventh to take its first lead, 9-7. Willits scored on a wild pitch by Kensing, Bose hit a sacrifice fly to score Cornejo and Alexander hit his second double of the day to drive in Jason Fransz. Frasier then crossed home on a Robert Ramsey wild pitch and Alexander scored on a passed ball. A&M scored a run in the eighth, but couldn't muster any offense in the ninth.

Bose went 2-for-3 with a run and a RBI and Alexander had two doubles, three runs batted in and a run scored. Frasier notched two base hits, a RBI and a run scored and Willits and Fransz each scored twice. The Sooners committed a season-high six errors on the game, the most since registering seven errors against Oregon State in the 2001 San Diego Baseball Classic.

The Sooners and Aggies will play the series rubber match tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. The starting pitchers for both teams are still to be determined. OU then returns home to face No. 11 Alabama at the SBC Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City on Tues., March 26, and will host No. 9 Baylor in a three-game series, March 29-31.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Sooners Rally From Four Runs Down To Top Texas A&M, 9-8

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