Oklahoma Eliminated From Big 12 Tourney With 8-5 Loss to Texas

May 25, 2002

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ARLINGTON, Texas - With an 8-5 loss to top-seeded Texas on Saturday night, Oklahoma was eliminated from the Phillips 66 Big 12 Tournament at The Ballpark in Arlington. The Longhorns got off to a fast start, hitting back-to-back home runs in the first inning, and held off all Oklahoma rallies to earn the victory. Texas' Eugene Espineli (5-0) pitched seven innings and handcuffed the Sooners, allowing just three runs -- two earned -- on four hits. Austin Mix (6-6) was handed the loss for Oklahoma after surrendering five runs on six hits over three innings pitched. UT freshman Huston Street struck out two batters and pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn his ninth save.

"We ran into an excellent ball club today," said Oklahoma head coach Larry Cochell. "They have outstanding starting pitching, an excellent closer in (Huston) Street, power from both sides of the plate and they play great defense. There are no easy outs and they really have a chance to win the whole thing this year. But I'm pleased with our play at this tournament. We improved over the course of this week and the post-season starts next week. Playing here will only help us as we chase our goals from here on."

Reggie Willits went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI in the game. Denver Kitch went 2-for-2 in the game and Eddie Cornejo had a double and two runs batted in, extending his season-long hitting streak to 16 games.

Texas opened the game with a huge first inning, taking a 3-0 lead on two home runs. Tim Moss led off with a double and scored on Dustin Majewski's home run to right field. UT's next batter, Jeff Ontiveros, then slugged a solo home run to left field, his 16th on the year and his third this season against OU.

Oklahoma answered with a big first inning of its own, scoring two runs on three hits. After Willits led off with a base hit, Cornejo and Jason Fransz each ripped RBI doubles. Charlie Frasier was hit by a pitch, which prompted Texas to remove starter Tim McGough, who allowed two runs on three hits without getting anyone out. OU then proceeded to load the bases, but UT reliever Espineli struck out Ryan Richardson to get out of the jam.

Texas extended its lead back to three in the third when Omar Quintanilla belted a two-run home run to dead center field, and added three more tallies in the fifth to go up 8-2. Jeff Ontiveros doubled down the left field line to score two and an infield hit by J.D. Reininger brought Ontiveros home. Reininger's line drive went off of Jarod McAuliff's right leg, forcing the freshman from the game, and Michael Bradbury replaced him.

Oklahoma rallied for three runs in the seventh inning, pulling within 8-5, but that was the closest the Sooners would get. Richardson and Kitch had back-to-back singles, and Willits doubled down the right field line to bring Richardson home. Cornejo grounded out to score Kitch and Willits came home on a two-base error by Texas CF Brandon Fahey.

With tonight's loss, Oklahoma has been eliminated from the Big 12 Tournament and will now wait to find out its NCAA Regional fate. The NCAA pairings will be announced Monday at 11:30 a.m. on ESPN. Texas and Nebraska will battle for the Big 12 championship on Sunday at 1 p.m.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Oklahoma Eliminated From Big 12 Tourney With 8-5 Loss to Texas

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