Completed Event: Baseball versus (2) Georgia Tech on May 31, 2026 , Win , 15, to, 8
Final
Baseball
15
vs (2) Georgia Tech
8
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University of Oklahoma Athletics
Q&A with Head Coach Sunny Golloway
January 20, 2007 | Baseball
NORMAN, Okla.
-- As the Oklahoma baseball team prepares for its first team practice on Sunday, Jan. 21, Soonersports.com sat down with head coach Sunny Golloway for a question and answer session about the upcoming season.
The Sooners wil begin the 2007 season on Friday, Feb. 2 in the UTPA Tournament in Edinburg, Texas against Texas State.
Oklahoma kicks off the year at the Fourth Annual Diamond Dinner on Friday, Jan. 26. Current Oklahoma players and coaches will be in attendance to join former OU greats at the banquet. Click here for more information.
How can this team build off last year's postseason run?
Although the 2007 team will be different in a lot of ways, it will still carry the momentum established at the end of the 2006 season. Aaron (Reza), Jackson (Williams) and Ryan (Mottern), among others, all return with that postseason experience and that taste of getting so close to Omaha. Two years ago, we advanced to the regional championships in Oxford and the following year, last year, we took the next step by winning the regional title. I think this team will be prepared both mentally and physically to build off last year's run and take the next step making the program's 10th appearance at the College World Series.
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What do you feel that the addition of a former major league player and Sooner, Damon Minor, can bring to the table?
It's simple. Damon gives our players confidence--confidence that they are approaching each at-bat the way they are supposed to. He also gives them confidence that they are working not only to succeed at Oklahoma, but at the next level. After one fall season, I couldn't be more pleased with the addition of a new coach.
How does a talented recruiting class fit into this team that features 4-6 returning starters?
We worked very hard in the fall in order to make this team of returners and talented newcomers mesh together. I am very happy with the way that the veterans have accepted the new guys and have worked with them on meeting the expectations of this program (winning championships). This incoming class will fill the holes we have from graduation and the draft. The newcomers have created a lot of competition at each position, which only makes our team better, and, as a result, they have won some starting jobs and they will also provide us with a lot of depth off the bench.
Do you feel that defense is still the strength of this squad?
It always will be at Oklahoma. We take a lot of pride in being the best defensive team of 2006, and have worked countless hours over the fall to maintain that high standard. We understand that championships are won with pitching and defense and we will continue to work hard in those areas in order to reach our goals.
What are your impressions of this year's group of newcomers?
The coaching staff has been very impressed with the ability and progress of all of our newcomers. Some who have stood out and have a chance to start immediately as freshman are Aaron Baker (1B), Devin Shepherd (RF) and Bryant Hernandez (INF). Also, several of our young arms have been impressive and should be in position to log significant innings this spring.
What were some of the question marks answered during the fall and what questions still remain?
The fall really helped establish our team chemistry and our weekend rotation. We knew Ryan Mottern would be one of our starting pitchers, but Jimmy Rollins, Joseph Hughes and others stepped up and pitched extremely well. However, we enter the 2007 season with a lot of question marks that will be answered in the February games. As a staff, we expect to evaluate some of those question marks at certain positions based on the players' off-season preparation and ability to perform.
Who is the most improved player from last year to now?
Of our returning players, Jimmy Rollins as a left-handed starter in our rotation and Joe Dunigan have been the most impressive. Both of those athletes have made great strides in the last year. Jimmy was solid over the summer in the Texas Collegiate League and Joe came into his own in the Cape (Cape Cod League). I look for those two to make a large impact not only on our team, but in the Big 12 and on the national scene.
Can fans expect to see anything different from this team in 2007?
Before I answer that question I want fans to know that they will still continue to witness a team that plays hard and plays with a lot of passion. The way we approach each game will stay consistent. We continue to emphasize the mottos: let it fly, play with no fear, and play the game with the passion of your youth. With that said, some of the new things that fans can expect in 2007 are more power at the plate and more depth in our bullpen. Those are two areas that we worked tirelessly on in the fall and we expect those efforts will be rewarded in the spring.
The Sooners' home opener is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 23 against Western Illinois. The game is the first in the three-game set which will continue on Feb. 24 and 25. OU's nine-game home stand continues on Feb. 27 against Wichita State before hosting UC Riverside (March 2-4) and Creighton (March 6-7).
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SEASON TICKETS ON SALE
Season tickets for the 2007 OU baseball season are now on sale through the OU Athletics Ticket Office and SoonerSports.com. To order your season tickets please call the OU Athletics Ticket Office at (405) 325-2424 or (800) 456-4668 or click here for more information available on SoonerSports.com.
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