No. 16 Oklahoma Edged 5-4 At Texas-Arlington

ARLINGTON, Texas - A promising ninth inning rally fell short as 16th-ranked Oklahoma fell 5-4 to Texas-Arlington Tuesday afternoon at Clay Gould Ballpark. The Sooners had men at second and third base with one out in their final turn at bat and failed to drive in the tying or winning runs. Junior shortstop Brenan Herrera accounted for three of the team's eight total hits in the game. The junior also added a run scored and a RBI to his career high hit effort. Oklahoma's eight-game winning streak was snapped as the Sooners dropped to 8-2 overall. UTA improved to 5-6 on the year with the win.

“We played good defense today and didn't commit any errors, we just couldn't hit today,” said OU head coach Larry Cochell. “We missed on some big opportunities throughout the game to score some runs and didn't get it done.”

Box Score

Trailing by a run, Herrera sparked the Sooner rally in the ninth inning with a leadoff base hit. Sophomore designated hitter LaFringe Hayes (1-for-2) followed with another hit as he beat out a push bunt before redshirt freshman pinch hitter Blake Hurlbutt sacrificed the pair into scoring position.

The rally fell short as Maverick closer Mark Lowe picked up his second save by striking out junior centerfielder Jeff Scuderi (0-for-4) and forcing sophomore second baseman Russell Raley (2-for-5) to groundout to first base to end the game.

After two lead changes early in the game, UTA was able to win the game by scoring single runs in the sixth and seventh inning off senior reliever Mike Swindell (1-1). The Mavericks manufactured a run in the sixth with a hit, stolen base and a RBI-single by first baseman Ryan Nelson who had earlier given the Mavs a 2-0 lead on a two-run homer in the second inning.

In the seventh frame after Swindell was taken out of the game following a double, junior closer Jarod McAuliff came on and gave up a single to the first batter he faced to allow the winning run to score.

After UTA jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning, Oklahoma quickly answered back and tied the score with two runs in the top of the third frame. Herrera got things started with a leadoff base hit and moved to second base as Hayes reached base after being hit by a pitch. The pair later scored on consecutive plays as Herrera was brought home on a groundout by Scuderi and Hayes scored on a single by Raley.

The Mavericks regained the lead at the bottom of the frame as UTA catcher Brett Lewis doubled to leadoff the frame and came around to score from third on a passed ball.

Oklahoma spotted two more runs in their next turn at bat to take back the lead at 4-3. Herrera drove in a run with his second consecutive hit and continued on to third base on an error by the Maverick rightfielder. Hayes lifted a sacrifice fly to left field to bring in Herrera for the fourth run.

WIth a single to leadoff the fourth inning, junior third baseman Matt Bose (1-for-4) extended his hitting streak to eight games, one hit shy of his career high that he's set twice.

Junior righthander Daniel McCutchen made his first start on the mound for the Sooners. After previously making two relief appearances during the year, McCutchen lasted three innings, gave up three runs on four hits and struck out a pair.

The Sooners return home this weekend to face UC-Riverside in a three-game set at L. Dale Mitchell Park. The first game of the series begins at 3 p.m. on Friday and continues with 1 p.m. start times on Saturday and Sunday.

No. 16 Oklahoma Edged 5-4 At Texas-Arlington

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No. 16 Oklahoma Edged 5-4 At Texas-Arlington

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