OU Rebounds with 10-5 Win Over UNCW

WILMINGTON, N.C. -- The Sooners rebounded from Friday's loss to No. 4 South Carolina to post a 10-5 victory over UNC-Wilmington on Saturday at the Hughes Bros. Challenge. Oklahoma, who entered the game with 25 hits on the year, posted 15 hits to improve to 2-3 on the season.

The Seahawks (0-2) took an early 2-0 lead after a Jes Snyder home run in the second inning, but OU rallied to score three runs in the third inning. UNC-WIlmington cut the lead down to one run, 5-4, in the bottom of the sixth, but the Sooners produced its largest offensive output in an inning this season with a five-run seventh to take the lead for good.

Senior Cory Williamson made his first start of the season and produced a career day at the plate. Williamson connected for a career-high four hits, including his first collegiate home run, and drove in a game-high three runs.

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Sophomore Stephen Porlier (1-0) was also effective for OU in his second straight appearance. Porlier made his first start of the year and lasted five innings against the Seahawks, striking out five and allowing three runs on seven hits. Porlier did not allow a walk and had plenty of offensive support as the Sooners pounded out season highs in runs and hits (15).

“After Friday's loss, I was concerned about how we would respond as a club today,” said OU head coach Sunny Golloway. “This was a big win for us and we inserted a couple of different guys to help us today, guys that have not received as many opportunities as some others and one of those players was Cory Williamson. He responded by having a really big day going 4-for-5, with a homer and all those runs.”

Joseph Hughes also received his first start in the field on Saturday. The senior started Friday's game against South Carolina on the mound and came back Saturday to collect three hits against the Seahawks. Junior Jarod Freeman and freshman Aaron Baker also produced a multiple-hit game. Freeman finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and Baker extended his hitting streak to five games with a 3-for-5 performance that included two RBIs and two runs scored.

Junior college transfer Heath Taylor was the first Sooner out of the bullpen on Saturday, relieving Porlier. Taylor, who was making his second appearance of the season, allowed one earned run and three hits over three innings pitched (two strikeouts).

The Sooners (2-3) will conclude action on Sunday in the Hughes Bros. Challenge in Wilmington, N.C., against Western Kentucky (1-0) at 10:30 a.m. The Hilltoppers, fresh off a 4-2 win over UNC-Wilmington on Friday, play the Gamecocks tonight at 4 p.m. Sunday's game will be broadcast live on the internet via Yahoo with Chuck Kelly calling the play-by-play. Pre-game coverage begins 15 minutes prior to first pitch.

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