Sooners Outlast 13th-Ranked Titans In Extra Innings, 5-1

Oklahoma used a four-run 10th inning to upend the 13th-ranked Cal State Fullerton Titans, 5-1, Friday night in OU's first game of competition in the Kia Baseball Bash at Goodwin Field. The Sooners rallied for four runs in their first turn at bat in extra innings and were sparked by RBI-singles from freshman leftfielder Aaron Ivey, junior centerfielder Jeff Scuderi and sophomore second baseman Russell Raley. Junior Jarod McAuliff (1-0) closed out the final 3.1 frames of the game to pick up his first win off the year. Oklahoma (6-1) won its sixth-straight contest and handed Cal State Fullerton (6-8) only its fourth home loss in the last two years.

“It was really important that we play a team the caliber of Cal State Fullerton and not give into the pressure, even when they tied the score. Then we were able to push the four runs across to give us the win,” commented OU head coach Larry Cochell following the team's second win over a top 25 opponent this season.

“It was a great game between two great college pitchers tonight,” said Cochell. “David (Purcey) pitched really well again tonight.”

Box Score

The Sooner offense was held in check through the first nine innings by Titan starter Jason Windsor. After allowing a single run in the third inning, Windsor sat down 19 of the next 21 Sooners before exiting at the end of the ninth inning. He fanned a career high 11 batters and was responsible for only half of OU's 10 hits on the night.

Oklahoma took advantage of the pitching change to begin the 10th inning and tagged Fullerton reliever Vinnie Pestano (0-2) for the game-winning runs. Following consecutive singles with one out, Ivey (2-for-4) delivered his second game winning hit of the year, and third game-winning RBI, with a base hit to right field in the 10th inning to drive in junior shortstop Brenan Herrera (1-for-4) to break the deadlock and put the Sooners ahead 2-1.

The offensive surge continued as Scuderi (1-for-5) and Raley (3-for-5) followed with back-to-back RBI singles, OU's fifth-straight, to plate two more runs. The two then combined to score the team's final run as Raley caught the Titans' attention on a steal attempt between first and second base. allowing Scuderi to steal home.

Raley was responsible for driving in OU's first run of the game in the third inning. His single to left field drove in Ivey from second base for the first run after Ivey singled and advanced to second base on a fielder's choice by Scuderi.

Although not figuring in the decision, Purcey pitched another gem and left in the seventh inning with the game tied at 1-1. In his first six innings of work, the junior lefty held Fullerton to only two hits. He tossed a perfect game through the first 3.2 innings and didn't walk his first batter until the fifth inning.

He finally ran into some trouble in the seventh inning when a leadoff walk came back to haunt him. Titans right fielder Sergio Pedroza drew a walk to start the frame and scored on a wild pitch by McAuliff. Purcey was lifted in favor of McAuliff.

McAuliff quickly got OU out of any further damage with a groundout to shortstop. He then settled in to retire nine of the last 11 Fullerton batters he faced. The righthander did not allow a run for his fifth straight outing to extend his season-opening scoreless innings streak to nine innings.

Purcey and McAuliff were helped out by outstanding plays in the field by the Sooner defense. Scuderi and fellow outfield mate Andrew McGuire (0-for-4) made great shoe-string catches in the outfield on potential extra base hits. Herrera also made two dazzling plays at shortstop on tough plays in critical situations.

Oklahoma faces Southern Cal Saturday at 4:30 p.m. (CST) at Goodwin Field in its second game of the Kia Baseball Bash. Senior righthander Casey Brown (1-0) will start for the Sooners and will be opposed by sophomore lefthander Bobby Paschal (1-1) for the Trojans.