Sooners Hang On For 4-2 Bedlam Win In Big 12 Tourney

May 22, 2003

OKLAHOMA CITY - In an early morning Bedlam matchup in the Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Tournament, seventh-seeded Oklahoma defeated sixth-seeded Oklahoma State, 4-2, in an elimination game at the SBC Bricktown Ballpark Thursday. For the second straight year, lefthanded starting pitcher David Purcey shut down the Oklahoma State offense and picked up his second win over the Cowboys in as many tries. Junior left fielder Andrew McGuire's two-run home run in the fourth inning provided the difference in the score as the Sooners narrowly outhit the Cowboys, 9-8. Oklahoma (23-30) will now face the loser of the contest between No. 2 seed Texas A&M and No. 3 seed Texas in an elimination game Friday at 4 p.m. Oklahoma State (34-24) is eliminated from the tournament with its second-straight loss.

With the win, the Sooners' all-time mark in Big 12 Conference Tournament history against the Cowboys improved to 5-0. Oklahoma, which has won the last two regular season series between the two schools, also won its fifth straight contest over Oklahoma State at the Bricktown Ballpark.

Purcey (3-3) left the game after tying his career-high seven innings for the second straight start. He scattered seven hits and was responsible for the two runs. He also struck out seven batters for the third consecutive outing.

In the bottom of the first inning, senior center fielder Reggie Willits (2-for-4) and senior second baseman Eddie Cornejo (1-for-3) teamed up to give the Sooners a 1-0 lead. Willits doubled down the right field line and quickly stole third base before Cornejo placed a single into left field to bring him home.

Oklahoma State catcher Jason Jaramillo tied the game at 1-1 on a solo home run to left field in the top of the second frame.

Willits' second-straight double set up OU's second score in the third inning. The two-bagger moved senior designated hitter Matt Arkison (0-for-4), who had reached first base on an error by the OSU third baseman, in to position to allow him to cross home plate on Cornejo's sacrifice fly to left field. The run broke the 1-1 tie and gave the Sooners their second and final lead of the game.

McGuire (2-for-4) then gave Oklahoma a 4-1 edge in the bottom of the fourth inning with his fourth home run of the season, a two-run shot which scored junior shortstop Denver Kitch (2-for-4) who doubled in the previous at bat.

The Cowboys again made a quick response to the Sooners' score and plated a run in the top of the fifth inning to cut Oklahoma's lead to 4-2. OSU shortstop Chris Gutierrez singled and raced around the bases to score on third baseman Josh Fields' two-out double into the left field corner.

Sooner ace reliever Jarod McAuliff then came on to retire six of the seven batters in the eighth and ninth inning, including a perfect ninth, for his ninth save of the season. It was the Stillwater native's second save against the Cowboys this year after he picked up a save in OU's first Bedlam win in 2003.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Sooners Hang On For 4-2 Bedlam Win In Big 12 Tourney

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