Sooners Get Back On Track With 4-3 Win Over Highlanders

NORMAN, Okla. - Sixteenth-ranked Oklahoma's offense had an answer for every UC-Riverside run as the Sooners did one better and came out on top 4-3 Friday night at L. Dale Mitchell Park. Junior designated hitter Eric Thornton delivered two key hits in the game, including the game-winner, and added a game-high three RBI. Junior closer Jarod McAuliff (2-0) worked the final three innings to pick up his second win on the year. After seeing its eight-game winning streak snapped on Tuesday, the win helped Oklahoma improve to 9-2 as UC-Riverside fell to 8-10.

“I thought David (Purcey) pitched very well again tonight and Eric came up with two great hits,” said Oklahoma head coach Larry Cochell on a couple of standout individual efforts in the game.

Box Score

With the score tied at three and two outs in the eighth inning, Thornton stepped to the plate and delivered his second big hit in the game by placing a triple out of reach of a diving centerfielder to bring home senior rightfielder Andrew McGuire (1-for-4) for the winning run.

Thornton stepped up big in the in the sixth inning as well. After the Highlanders took a 2-1 lead in the top of the inning after scoring an unearned run off Purcey, the McCloud, Okla., native singled to right field with the bases loaded and two outs to drive in junior first baseman Ole Sheldon (3-for-4) and junior third baseman Matt Bose (1-for-4) to regain the lead at 3-2. Sheldon, Bose and McGuire sparked the Sooner rally with three-straight hits.

Oklahoma's lead was short-lived as UC-Riverside struck back with a run in the top of the seventh inning to tie the game once again. UCR got a two out RBI-double from shortstop Brian Steinmeyer to plate a run and end McAuliff's scoreless innings streak at 11.2 frames to begin the season.

Purcey turned in another standout performance but was once again saddled with a no-decision for the second straight week. Purcey exited after allowing only six hits and two walks.

The junior lefthander was nearly unhittable early in the game. After striking out six consecutive times, the Highlanders were able to muster a single run off Purcey in the top of the third inning. UCR centerfielder Brett Bigler collected his second hit off the lefty and sparked a small rally which included a follow-up walk and RBI-single by third baseman Tony Festa to give UCR a 1-0 lead.

Oklahoma answered back in the bottom with a run of its own to knot the score at 1-1. Redshirt-freshman leftfielder Blake Hurlbutt (2-for-3) reached second base after beating out an infield single that was errantly thrown wide at first base to allow him to continue on to second. After UCR starting hurler Haley Winter (1-1) struck the next two batters out, Sheldon delivered a key two out base hit to drive in Hurlbutt for the tying run.

UC-Riverside threatened to score runs in the fourth and fifth innings as well, but the Sooners' pitching and defense came through to keep the Highlanders off the scoreboard. With the bases loaded for UCR in the fourth frame, Purcey fanned the final two batters of the inning to put down the rally. The two strikes out gave him eight for the game which tied his season best.

In the fifth inning with a runner at second base, UCR catcher Nick Salotti singled to left field to bring leftfielder Matt Cunningham around third base and towards home. Hurlbutt threw a strike towards home and nailed Cunningham at the plate to save a run.

“That was a great throw. If you're going to win some ballgames, you've got to make sure you have some great players that can make those plays,” commented Cochell on Hurlbutt's run-saving throw.

The two teams continue the series on Saturday at 1 p.m. Oklahoma senior righthander Casey Brown (2-0) will be opposed by UC-Riverside junior righthander A.J. Shappi (1-1).

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Sooners Get Back On Track With 4-3 Win Over Highlanders

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