Baseball's 2007 Class Tabbed 11th

NORMAN, Okla. -- The Oklahoma baseball team's 2007 class was ranked 11th by Baseball America, as released by the publication on Thursday. It marks the highest ranking for the Sooners in the magazine, which began ranking recruiting classes in 2000.

Oklahoma was one of five schools from the Big 12 Conference ranked in the top 25 by Baseball America. Baylor was ranked No. 1 and was followed by Oklahoma State (No. 7), Texas (No. 12), Texas A&M (No. 16) and Missouri (No. 22).

The publication offered the following commentary about the Sooners' newcomers:

“Oklahoma's key recruits: Devin Shepherd, of; Teddy Hubbard, rhp; Aljay Davis, 2b; Aaron Baker, c/inf; Andrew Doyle, rhp; Bryant Hernandez, ss; Vincent Biancamano, inf.

“Shepherd is one of the best pure hitters in the country, with enough tools to play anywhere in the outfield as a freshman. Davis, the Sooners' top junior college transfer, has game-changing speed and will provide occasional power as Oklahoma's starting second baseman. Hubbard, the key arm in this class, has outstanding stuff, with a fastball that has been up to 93 and a good, hard breaking ball. He'll compete for a midweek job this year and could anchor the Sooners' staff by 2008.”

Three weeks ago, OU's newcomers were tabbed the fourth best by Collegiate Baseball. The ranking was the second highest in school history as compiled by Collegiate Baseball. The mark tied the 1986 and 1987 classes and only trailed the 1985 group of newcomers which was ranked the second best in the country.

The Sooners are set to conclude the fall season next week with its annual Red/White Series, which will consist of a three-game set played on Oct. 17-19 at L. Dale Mitchell Park. The games are free and open to the public.

In addition, Oklahoma will also host an alumni game this weekend at L. Dale Mitchell Park on Sunday,Oct. 15. The event, which is free and open to the public, will conclude the alumni weekend with first pitch slated for 1 p.m.

BASEBALL AMERICA's TOP 25
1. Baylor
2. South Carolina
3. Southern California
4. Clemson
5. Miami
6. Florida
7. Oklahoma State
8. North Carolina
9. Cal State Fullerton
10. Arkansas
11. Oklahoma
12. Texas
13. UCLA
14. UC Irvine
15. Tennessee
16. Texas A&M
17. Kent State
18. Auburn
19. Arizona
20. Oregon State
21. Evansville
22. Missouri
23. Kentucky
24. Arizona State
25. Vanderbilt