Poor Pitching, Defense Leads To Sooners' 12-3 Loss To Aggies

April 6, 2003

NORMAN, Okla. - No. 19 Texas A&M clinched a series victory with a 12-3 win in the rubber match with Oklahoma Sunday afternoon at L. Dale Mitchell Park. The Aggies cranked out 10 runs in the first five innings to present the Sooners with an insurmountable lead. A season high seven errors contributed to OU's demise as the miscues led to five unearned runs for A&M. Oklahoma's record falls to 13-15 overall and 1-8 in the Big 12 Conference with the loss as Texas A&M heads home with a 26-10 record overall and 7-5 mark in league play.

OU starting pitcher Mike Swindell (2-3) exited early after giving up six runs in only two innings of work. Three of the runs came on a three-run homer by left fielder Scott Beerer in a five-run third frame for A&M that set OU back 7-0 after the Aggies plated single runs in the first and second innings. Beerer was one of four batters Swindell faced in the third inning when he failed to record an out before being lifted in favor of sophomore reliever David Purcey.

The three OU hurlers that followed Swindell each gave up two runs a piece over the final seven frames. Righthander Charlie House proved to be the most effective of the Sooner pitchers on the day. The junior's outing began shaky as he quickly gave up two earned runs by surrendering hits to three of the first four batters he faced, but he then settled in to retire 10 of the next 14 sluggers over the next 3.2 innings.

The Sooners attempted to climb back into the game with single runs in the third and fourth innings. In the third, an errant Texas A&M defense helped Oklahoma produce their first run as two consecutive errors and a single loaded the bases with one out and a walk to senior center fielder Reggie Willits (1-for-4) forced in the run.

OU sophomore first baseman Matt Bose (2-for-4) led off the fourth inning with a single, swiped second base and scored on a double by sophomore right fielder Brandon Jones (2-for-4) to plate the Sooners' second run.

Oklahoma's final run came in the bottom of the ninth inning as a lead off walk to junior shortstop Denver Kitch (0-for-4) scored on a ground out to second by senior second baseman Eddie Cornejo (0-for-5) following a double by freshman left fielder LaFringe Hayes (2-for-5) that placed Kitch in scoring position at third base.

Oklahoma hosts intrastate rival Oral Roberts Tuesday night at L. Dale Mitchell Park. The contest between the Sooners and the Golden Eagles is scheduled to start at 6:35 p.m.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Poor Pitching, Defense Leads To Sooners' 12-3 Loss To Aggies

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