Oklahoma Comes Back To Defeat Missouri, 9-8

March 9, 2002

NORMAN, Okla. - For the second day in a row, the University of Oklahoma baseball team came back to defeat Missouri in its last at bat, winning 9-8 at L. Dale Mitchell Park on Saturday. Missouri scored five runs in the second inning and then added three in the fourth stanza to take an 8-3 lead, however OU eventually tied the game at eight and in the ninth inning, freshman Matt Bose singled to bring Jason Fransz home as the winning run. Oklahoma improved to 10-4 (2-0 Big 12) on the year, while MU fell to 6-6 (0-2).

"We just found ways to stay in this game and we didn't panic when we got down," said Oklahoma head coach Larry Cochell. "A game like this really helps a team mature and build chemistry, because knowing you're able to come back is very important for a successful team. We don't like being behind, but a good ball club needs to have it in them to be able to come back."

After spotting Missouri its five run lead, Oklahoma scored a run in the fifth and then two in the sixth. In the eighth, the Sooners saw a number of substitutions, all of which proved to be beneficial. Pinch hitter Greg Kish singled and advanced to second on Ryan Richardson's base hit to right. Denver Kitch singled to load the bases and Matt Arkison hit a pinch hit sacrifice fly, making the score 8-7. Cochell then inserted another pinch hitter, Matt Fisher, who flied to left field, scoring Brandon Jones, who came in to run for Richardson.

"We got big contributions from guys who came off the bench," said Cochell. "Our pinch hitters came through in the eighth and getting those guys to make plays was just huge for us. We feel like we have a great deal of depth on this club."

Finally, in the ninth, Fransz reached base on a walk and stole second. Bose's RBI base hit then proved to be the second walk-off hit in as many days for the Sooners.

Austin Mix (2-1) picked up the win for Oklahoma, after pitching 2.2 innings of no-hit relief. Travis Wendte (0-1) took the loss for Missouri, after giving up OU's run in the ninth inning.

Reggie Willits went 1-for-2 with two RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base and Fransz went 2-for-3 with two RBI. Chris Jakubauskas drove in his 17th run of the season, a team-high.

The win was Oklahoma's ninth in a row against the Tigers, dating back to April 18, 1999. OU and Missouri return to action tomorrow at 1 p.m. in the series finale.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Oklahoma Comes Back To Defeat Missouri, 9-8

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