Highlander Hurler Stifles Sooners As UCR Prevails, 10-3

NORMAN, Okla. - UC-Riverside starting pitcher A.J. Shappi didn't allow the Oklahoma bats to heat up Saturday afternoon as he pitched the Highlanders to a 10-3 win over the 16th-ranked Sooners at L. Dale Mitchell Park. Shappi (2-1) held OU to four hits in a complete game effort, while his offense used a seven run fourth inning to provide the necessary run support. Oklahoma fell to 9-3 with the loss, while UC-Riverside improved to 9-10.

“We knew he (Shappi) was going to be tough. That's one of the best guys we'll face all year,” said OU head coach Larry Cochell after the game. “We didn't play good offensive ball today and when you run into a good pitcher like that, that'll happen to you.”

Box Score

In the Highlanders' big inning, UCR batted around the order and scored all its runs on six hits, including a pair of two run scoring doubles. Oklahoma starting pitcher Casey Brown (2-1) was responsible for most of the damage as he gave up five hits and six runs. Prior to the inning, Brown only allowed one hit, a solo homer, and a walk.

UCR scored its remaining three runs off of home runs. Shortstop Brian Steinmeyer hit a solo homer in the second inning and third baseman Tony Festa went deep for a two run shot in the ninth.

Despite the loss, a pair of Sooner relievers provided some bright spots for OU. Senior righthander Charlie House came in to start the fifth inning and worked two scoreless frames. After the Highlanders' big inning in the fourth, House sat down the Highlanders in order in the fifth inning and got out of some trouble in the sixth unscathed as UCR had a runner in scoring position with one out.

Freshman lefty Charles Benoit tossed two more scoreless innings for OU as he worked the seventh and eighth innings. He faced the minimum in his outing and struck out three.

“We wanted to get those guys some work today and they both came in and gave us some good innings. I was really happy for those guys,” commented Cochell on House and Benoit's performances.

A few more notable highlights for the Sooners in the game occurred when sophomore pinch hitter Jon Shackelford hit a two run homer to left field in the ninth inning for his first career hit and junior reliever Tyler Gooch made his first career appearance on the mound. Although Gooch's stint started off rocky after he gave up two doubles and a two run homer, the Bixby, Okla., native settled down to retire three of the final four batters in the ninth inning.

In Sunday's rubber match, scheduled for 1 p.m. at L. Dale Mitchell Park, Oklahoma senior righthander Mark Roberts (2-1) will take to the mound in search of his third-straight win. UC-Riverside will start junior lefthander Matt Theissen (0-0).

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Highlander Hurler Stifles Sooners As UCR Prevails, 10-3

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