Sooners Wind Down First Week Of Practice On The Diamond

Nearly postponed a full week due to threatening weather forecasts, the Oklahoma baseball team got their first full week of fall practice underway this week as the conditions cleared up throughout the week. Following a one day delay in starting their team workouts, the team kicked off the preseason on Tuesday with drill work followed by the first intrasquad game of the fall on Wednesday.

"Everyone's excited to get the season started. These guys have worked hard on their own during the first month of the semester and now we've got a chance to get on the field as a team and see how we can perform together," said OU head coach Larry Cochell.

In a move that surprised some, junior lefthanded pitcher David Purcey reversed roles in the first scrimmage and took some turns hitting. Cochell explained that the temptation has always existed to experiment with Purcey, who was an accomplished first baseman and hitter in high school, and let him hit in a designated hitter role while not pitching.

"David's talents as a baseball player extend off the mound as well and we decided to use this time during the fall season to see how he might benefit us offensively, too," commented Cochell.

He pointed to recent former Sooner standouts Jeff Bajenaru and Rick Park, who excelled on both the mound and at the plate during their playing days at OU, as examples of how such a situation has worked out well for the program in the past. A final decision as to whether Purcey will actually be utilized in both capacities will not be made until after fall workouts.

Other players saw action at different positions on the field during the game as well. Junior Matt Bose, who split time behind the plate and at first base last year, continued to catch in addition to playing at third base, where he spent most of his freshman year. Also seeing time at third base was sophomore Russell Raley who split time between the hot corner and shortstop. Redshirt freshman Keystone Hughes split duties between the two middle infield positions.

A group of newcomers, which included freshmen Ryan Mottern, Scott Bowman and Cole Stephenson and juniors Garrett Patterson and Dan McCutchen, threw off the mound for the first time in the game.

Several other newcomers including freshman Charles Benoit and Brent Lysander as well as junior Tyler Gooch will join junior veteran Jarod McAuliff in Friday's intrasquad pitching rotation. Returning hurlers Mark Roberts, Charlie House and Purcey as well as freshman Ryan Rogers will throw in Saturday's intrasquad contest.

The start time for Saturday's intrasquad game will begin between 12:30 - 1 p.m. All practices and scrimmages are open to the public.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Sooners Wind Down First Week Of Practice On The Diamond

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