Rohlingers Homer Gives No. 15 OU 7-5 Win Over UALR

NORMAN, Okla. - Oklahoma sophomore shortstop Ryan Rohlinger hit a walkoff two run home run to send the 15th-ranked Sooners to a 7-5 win over Arkansas-Little Rock Tuesday night at L. Dale Mitchell Park.

OU's victory gave head coach Larry Cochell his 500th win at the helm of the Oklahoma program and improved the team's season record to 27-16. UALR fell to 12-22 on the year.

“It's a great win for us to come from behind, especially going into this weekend,” commented the victorious Cochell in reference to his team's final game before the Oklahoma State series this weekend. “We hit the ball well tonight, we just had a lot of balls that were hit right at people.

“What it means is that I've had some great players play for me over my 14 years here at Oklahoma,” said Cochell on his milestone win.

Box Score

Rohlinger's shot landed over the left field fence and drove in sophomore leftfielder Scott Rooker (2-for-3) who had earlier tied the score with a two out RBI-double. It was Rohlinger's fourth game-winning hit of the year, a team best, and his third game-winning home run of the season. His three-hit and four-RBI performance tied his career high in both categories as he is also now tied for the team lead in home runs with six.

After the Trojans plated a go-ahead run in the top of the ninth inning, Sooner freshman catcher Josh Stinson (1-for-3) ignited the rally by leading off with a single to right field to extend his career-high hitting streak to nine games. Two outs later, Rooker sent his double down the left field line to bring Stinson home to tie the score at 5-5 just ahead of Rohlinger's game-winning blast.

Despite outhitting UALR 13-4, OU was caught in a tight battle with the Trojans throughout the game. Arkansas-Little Rock scored four of its runs in the fourth inning without the benefit of a hit due to a hit batter, error and a pair of costly walks. Senior reliever Casey Brown (5-2) entered the game in the sixth inning and retired the first nine batters he faced before giving up a single run in the ninth inning.

Before its run in the top of the ninth inning, Arkansas-Little Rock had only scored in one other inning. The Trojans recorded a four-run fourth inning without the benefit of a hit off Sooner freshman reliever Charles Benoit. The first run scored on a throwing error by Benoit, followed by a sacrifice fly with two runners in scoring position. The final two runs were plated after being forced in on consecutive bases loaded walks.

After leaving seven men on base through the first four innings, Oklahoma was finally able to bring home some baserunners in four of the last five innings. The Sooners got on the scoreboard in the fifth frame courteousy of a passed ball which allowed sophomore second baseman Russell Raley (1-for-5) to advance home from third base. Raley led off the inning with a single to improve his hitting streak to 10 games.

OU then doubled its fifth inning output in the sixth frame with a pair of runs to cut UALR's lead to 4-3. Rooker, who tied his career high with two runs scored in the game, led off the inning with a triple to left-center field and then scored on Rohlinger's single to left field. Rohlinger stole second base and came home on a two-out base hit by junior designated hitter Eric Thornton (2-for-4).

In the seventh inning, Oklahoma was again able to plate the leadoff baserunner to tie the score at 4-4. Stinson drew a leadoff walk and scored on another two-out hit by Rohlinger, his second consecutive RBI-single.

The Sooners' attention now turns to the Bedlam Series, presented by Bank of Oklahoma and your Oklahoma Ford Dealers. The battle for the Bedlam Bell begins Thursday in Tulsa at Driller's Stadium at 7 p.m.

Rohlingers Homer Gives No. 15 OU 7-5 Win Over UALR

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