Oklahoma Baseball Team Rolls to 7-2 Win Over McNeese State

April 30, 2002

Final Stats

NORMAN, Okla. - The University of Oklahoma baseball team ripped 17 hits and notched a convincing 7-2 win over McNeese State on Tuesday night. The Sooners didn't waste any time in establishing a big lead, registering eight hits and scoring five runs in the first inning. In his first start since March 13, Buddy Blair (3-0) pitched seven innings and allowed just one run on six hits en route to the win. Blair struck out a season-high-tying five batters and six Sooners notched multiple hits in the game. Jarod McAuliff pitched an innings and two-thirds of perfect relief, while striking out four.

"All wins are good wins," said Oklahoma head coach Larry Cochell. "I thought we got off to a great start and Buddy (Blair) pitched an outstanding ball game. He hadn't started in a while and was very sharp tonight. McNeese State is a good club, so we need to come out tomorrow ready to play again."

In the first inning, Oklahoma batted around and cranked out eight hits en route to five runs. Sooners Luke Alexander, Chris Jakubauskas, Matt Bose and Denver Kitch all hit RBI singles, while Ryan Richardson ripped an RBI double to give the Sooners a 5-0 lead. In the second, Cornejo led off with a double and scored on another Alexander base hit. OU chased McNeese State starter Craig Martel in the inning and took a 6-0 lead.

Oklahoma added another run in the sixth inning when Reggie Willits scored on a throwing error by MSU catcher Ran Prince, but McNeese State finally got onto the scoreboard in the top of the seventh with one run to make the game 7-1, OU. The Cowboys added a run to pull within five, but that was the end of the Cowboys' scoring.

In the game, Cornejo went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and Alexander was 3-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored. Kitch also registered three hits and stole his 26th base of the season, good for second in the Big 12 Conference. Willits, Richardson and Jakubauskas all had two hits apiece.

Craig Martel (3-1) took the loss for McNeese State after going just an inning and two-thirds and allowing six runs on 11 hits.

OU and McNeese State will square off again tomorrow at 7 p.m. at L. Dale Mitchell Park. The game was originally scheduled for 3 p.m., but will now be played at 7. The Sooners then return to Big 12 action as Kansas State visits Norman this weekend for a crucial, three-game series. Game times are set for 7 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday.

MEDICAL UPDATE ON OKLAHOMA PITCHER MARK ROBERTS: Oklahoma sophomore pitcher Mark Roberts has been released from an Oklahoma City hospital and has been cleared to return to play this season. Roberts suffered a soft tissue injury and damaged a blood vessel in his neck when he was hit with a line drive last Saturday at Texas Tech. After being treated at a Lubbock hospital, Roberts returned to Oklahoma on Monday and after being evaluated by OU's team physicians, it was determined that no further treatment is required. Roberts should return to action in approximately seven days.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Oklahoma Baseball Team Rolls to 7-2 Win Over McNeese State

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