Baseball Opens 2007 Season Friday

NORMAN, Okla. -- For the second consecutive year, the Oklahoma Sooners open the season in Edinburg, Texas in the UTPA Classic.

The 2007 season begins with Texas State, who OU defeated in last year's opener, 7-6. The Sooners and Bobcats are scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 2 at Edinburg Baseball Stadium.

On Saturday and Sunday, the Sooners will play the host Broncs at 7 p.m. and noon, respectively. Oklahoma defeated Texas-Pan American 16-3 in the second game of the 2006 season.

BROADCAST INFORMATION
This weekend's games will be broadcast live via the internet by Yahoo with Chuck Kelly calling the play-by-play. Pregame coverage for all Sooner baseball games begins 15 minutes prior to the first pitch. In addition, live stats for all games this season can be viewed on Soonersports.com.

Fans can also E-mail the radio booth with questions by clicking the following link - E-mail your questions to the radio booth.

Live Stats | 2007 Schedule | 2007 Roster

UPDATING THE SOONERS
OU enters 2007 under third-year head coach Sunny Golloway. After taking over the Sooners at the end of the 2005 season, Golloway is 57-28 (.670) overall and 24-12 (.667) in the Big 12 at the helm. Golloway and company finished 45-22 overall (17-13 Big 12 - third place) last season. Oklahoma hosted and won the 2006 NCAA Norman Regional and was one win away from the program's 10th College World Series appearance. Golloway became just the second head coach in NCAA history to guide his team to an NCAA Super Regional in the first full season (Smoke Lavall - LSU).

The Sooners lost 14 letterwinners (12 seniors) and seven starters (four position players, three starting pitchers) but return 13 letterwinners in 2007. Within that group are five position starters and two hurlers with starting experience. Joining the veterans is a group of newcomers that were ranked as high as No. 4 by Collegiate Baseball magazine.

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.

The Sooners' home opener is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 23 against Western Illinois at 3 p.m. The game is the first of a three-game series against the Leathernecks and the start of a nine-game home stand which also features games against Wichita State (Feb. 27), UC Riverside (March 2-4) and Creighton (March 6-7).

OU LOOKS TO BUILD ON 2006 REGIONAL
After only one full season as Oklahoma's baseball coach, Sunny Golloway already has the Sooners measuring their success by the number of times they get to pile up on the middle of the field for a celebration. In his first season, Golloway led the Sooners to their first super regional appearance since they went to the College World Series as the defending champions in 1995. The next step is getting back to that level. Click here to read the full article written by the Associated Press.

PLAYER TO WATCH: RYAN MOTTERN
After a strong showing during the Alaska Summer League and the Sooners' fall practices, junior Ryan Mottern is poised to take over the role as Oklahoma's No. 1 starter. The right-handed hurler was named to the 2007 Wallace Brooks Watch List. The award is presented to the nation's top player.

SCOUTING TEXAS STATE
The Bobcats are picked, along with UT-Arlington, to win the Southland Conference in 2007 after tying for second place last season.

On the mound, the Sooners are expected to face sophomore Mike Hart. The righty logged the third most starts on the club last year (12) and finished with a 4-2 record and a 3.52 ERA. Hart struck out 51 and walked 23 in 76 2/3 innings in 2006.

Senior first baseman David Wood is the Bobcats' top returning hitter after batting .311 with 39 RBIs in 2006. Wood
is a preseason Southland second team nominee this season.

The Sooners are 5-3 lifetime against Texas State (formerly Southwest Texas State) and have won four of the last five meetings. The last time the two met was on Feb, 3,2006 in the UTPA Classic. The Sooners trailed 6-2 after 3.5 innings, but rallied en route to a 7-6 victory. For a complete box score from that game, please refer to page nine of the notes.

SCOUTING TEXAS-PAN AMERICAN
Texas-Pan American will play OU again this season when it travels to Norman for a two-game series. The midweek series is set for March 13-14 at L. Dale Mitchell Park. Complete UTPA stats from 2006 are located on page 10.

Senior Chad Linder is expected to get the starting nod against OU on Saturday. Sunday's starter is yet to be determined. Linder (LHP) was 1-4 in 2006 with a 5.04 ERA. In 55 1/3 innings last year, Linder struck out 38 and walked 18.

On offense, senior Patrick Brooks is one of the Broncs' top threats. In 2006, Brooks hit .299 and led the team with six homers, 15 doubles and 36 RBIs.

OU last met UTPA in the 2006 UTPA Classic in Edinburg, Texas. The Sooners cruised to a 16-3 victory a year ago. For a complete box score from that game, please refer to page 11. OU leads the all-time series with the Broncs, 10-4. Besides the two-game series in 2004 in Norman (OU won both contests), the Sooners have faced the Broncs in their tournament in 12 other contests.

'07 Preview: General Outlook | Catchers | Pitchers | Infield | Outfield

NEXT UP
The Sooners remain on the road and will travel to Wilmington, N.C., next weekend to participate in the Hughes Bros. Challenge. In the tournament hosted by UNC-Wilmington, OU will face No. 4 South Carolina on Friday, the host Seahawks on Saturday and Western Kentucky on Sunday.

OU IN SEASON OPENERS
Since 1962, the OU baseball program is 35-10 in season openers. From 1984 till 2003, the Sooners won 20 consecutive season openers. The Sooners snapped a two-game losing streak (both to Gonzaga) with last year's 7-6 win over Texas State.. OU's 21-2 record since 1984 has been made possible by run support. The Sooners have outscored the opposition 241-102, scoring in double digits on 11 occasions while averaging 10.5 a game.

SCHEDULE STRENGTH
The Sooners will once again have a tough schedule in 2007. Prior to Big 12 play, OU faces a challenging non-conference schedule that includes a total of seven teams that advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2006 including South Carolina, UNC-Wilmington, Wichita State, San Diego, Michigan, TCU and UT-Arlington.Overall, the Sooners will face 13 opponents (23 total games) that participated in last year's NCAA Tournament, including two 2006 Super Regional teams (South Carolina and Missouri).

REZA TO MISS 4-6 WEEKS
Junior shortstop Aaron Reza will miss up to 4-6 weeks of the 2007 baseball season after breaking his glove hand (left) in practice last week. Reza, the Sooners' starting shortstop and a team captain, sustained the injury on a pick-off play. Reza made 56 starts for Oklahoma last year, mainly at shortstop, and appeared in all but four games for the Sooners. He was errorless for 219 consecutive chances leading up to Houston Super Regional. Reza was also solid at the plate in 2006, hitting .318 with 33 RBIs and 12 doubles.

FRESH FACES
As many as five newcomers could start the season opener for the Sooners on Feb. 2. After losing 12 seniors and 14 letterwinners a year ago, the incoming class of 18 newcomers is expected to see a lot of time early and often. In addition to the five starters (Aljay Davis - 2B, Mike Gosse - DH, Devin Shepherd - RF, Vincent Biancamano - 3B and Bryant Hernandez), freshman Andrew Doyle has been mentioned as one of the possible closers this season.

BIG 12 PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
The University of Oklahoma baseball team was picked fifth in the Big 12 Conference Coaches' preseason poll as released by the league office on Jan. 29. OU received 46 points in the Big 12 poll, 11 points shy of fourth place Baylor.

Texas once again topped the list for the fifth straight year with 79 points, including seven first-place votes. Oklahoma State (70) followed the Longhorns at No. 2 with two first-place votes. Nebraska (64) and Baylor (57) rounded out the top four. Following the Sooners was Texas Tech (37), Texas A&M (34), Missouri (29), Kansas (22) and Kansas State (12).

The Sooners were also picked to finish fifth last season and ended the regular season in third place and was the last conference team standing in the NCAA Tournament, coming up one win shy of the College World Series. The last time OU was picked higher than fifth prior to a season was in 2003 when the Sooners were tabbed third.

2007 Big 12 Conference Coaches' Preseason Poll

Rank/School (First Place Votes)	Points
1. Texas (7)	79
2. Oklahoma State (2)	70
3. Nebraska	64
4. Baylor	57
5. Oklahoma	46
6. Texas Tech	37
7. Texas A&M	34
8. Missouri	29
9. Kansas	22
10. Kansas State	12

* Points based on nine for first place, eight for second, etc.

HITTING STREAKS
Three Sooners enter the 2007 season with hits in at least their last two games. Joseph Hughes enters with the highest mark after hitting safely in the last six games of the season. Aaron Reza along with Aaron Ivey enter the season with a two-game streak. Reza led the squad in 2006 with a 12-game hitting streak.

NINE-GAME HOME STAND
The Sooners begin the 2007 season on the road for six straight games before returning home to L. Dale Mitchell Park. OU's home opener is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 23 against Western Illinois at 3 p.m. The game is the first of a three-game series against the Leathernecks and the start of a nine-game home stand (longest of the season) which also features games against Wichita State (Feb. 27), UC Riverside (March 2-4) and Creighton (March 6-7). Additionally, the WIU series is the start of a span that will see OU playing in Norman for 17 of the next 21 games.

DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Oklahoma Sooners led the nation in fielding percentage (.983) in 2006 and as a result, the team won a regional championship and was one win away from the program's 10th College World Series appearance. The Sooners lost four starters from the playing field but return five starters in 2007.

Last year's percentage is second in school history behind the .986 mark established by the 1951 team. The Sooners' won the program's first national title that same year.

FIVE CAPTAINS TO LEAD OU IN 2007
Five Sooners were selected by their teammates to captain the club in 2007. Seniors Aaron Ivey and Jimmy Rollins and juniors Ryan Mottern, Aaron Reza and Jackson Williams are among the 13 letterwinners returning for OU this season.

DRAFT DODGERS
In 2006, the Sooners' roster featured 12 players that were drafted at one point in their careers. That mark was second in the Big 12 to Oklahoma State's 14. This season, OU again ranks second in the conference with 10 draftees and those players are listed below as well as where that mark ranks in the Big 12:

Player Year - Round Team
Aaron Baker 2006 - 37th Minnesota Twins
Vincent Biancamano 2004 - 35th Kansas City Royals
Brad Burns 2004 - 37th New York Mets
Aljay Davis 2005 - 29th Chicago White Sox
Andrew Doyle 2006 - 39th Washington Nationals
Joe Dunigan 2004 - 41st Montreal Expos
Chris Henry 2004 - 41st Colorado Rockies
Antwonie Hubbard 2006 - 12th Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Ryan Mottern 2006 - 49th Cleveland Indians
Devin Shepherd 2006 - 5th Minnesota Twins

BIG 12 DRAFTEES
Texas - 11
OU -10
OSU - 8
Baylor - 4
Missouri - 4
Texas Tech - 3
Kansas State - 2
Kansas - 1
Texas A&M - NA
Nebraska - NA

MOTTERN NAMED TO WALLACE WATCH LIST
Junior hurler Ryan Mottern (RHP) was named to the watch list for the 2007 Brooks Wallace Award, presented annually to the national college baseball player of the year. Mottern, a 2007 captain, is the third Sooner to make the list since it originated after the 2004 season. Former Sooners Eric Thornton and Steven Guerra were part of the watch lists in 2005 and 2006, respectively.

Mottern is one of two pitchers that return this season with prior starting experience for the Sooners. Last season, the Palestine, Texas, native finished with a 4-2 mark in eight starts (13 appearances) scattered across 37 2/3 innings pitched. In that span, the right-hander struck out 36 batters and walked 22. Additionally, Mottern saw time as the Sooners' designated hitter and as an outfielder a year ago.

RADIO BROADCAST SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED
The University of Oklahoma baseball team released its 2007 radio and internet broadcast schedule on Jan. 25. The entire 56-game regular season schedule will be broadcast live on the internet via Yahoo.

In addition, KOKC 1520 AM will again serve as the flagship station of Sooner baseball and 40-plus games are scheduled to broadcast live. Additionally, 11 of the games (listed below) are set to be carried on the Sooners Sports' Network, enabling fans to listen to OU baseball on the radio state-wide. For a list of affiliates in Oklahoma, visit the Sooner baseball page on SoonerSports.com.

Network Games:
Sunday, March 25 Texas A&M
Sunday, April 1 at Texas
Friday, April 6 at Baylor
Sunday, April 15 Nebraska
Sunday, April 22 at Kansas State
Sunday, April 29 Kansas
Friday, May 4 vs. Oklahoma State
Saturday, May 5 vs. Oklahoma State
Sunday, May 6 vs. Oklahoma State
Sunday, May 13 at Missouri Sunday, May 20 Texas Tech

GOLLOWAY RANKS AMONG BEST ACTIVE COACHES
Head coach Sunny Golloway ranks in a tie for 11th all-time among winningest active head coaches (by winning percentage) heading into the 2007 season. In 10 seasons, Golloway is 392-184-0 (.681).

FORMER OU COACH, VERN RUHLE, PASSES
Former University of Oklahoma and Cincinnati Reds pitching coach Vern Ruhle (55) died Jan. 20 in Houston of complications from a donor stem cell transplant for the treatment of multiple myeloma, a cancer of the bone marrow. Ruhle was Oklahoma's pitching coach from 1990-1995 and helped lead the Sooners to three College World Series appearances (1992, 1994 and 1995) and the program's second national title in 1994.

MINOR JOINS OU STAFF
Former Sooner and Major Leaguer Damon Minor is new to the Oklahoma baseball staff as a volunteer coach for the 2007 season.

Minor, who played at Oklahoma from 1993-1996, helped the Sooners win the 1994 National Championship and make a return trip to the College World Series in 1995, Minor, a 1996 All-America Honorable Mention, was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 1996. With the Giants, the former Sooner played on the Major League level from 2000-04. He enjoyed his best season in 2002 when San Francisco won the National League Championship and advanced to the World Series. During that season, Minor saw time in 83 games and connected for 10 home runs 24 runs batted in.

SOONERS FINISH 2006 RANKED NINTH
The University of Oklahoma baseball team recorded its highest top-25 finish since 1995 when Baseball America released its final poll of the 2006 season. The Sooners earned the No. 9 spot after coming within one win of advancing to the program's 10th College World Series appearance.

The 1995 OU team, which is the last squad to reach the CWS, finished the season as the No. 7 ranked team in the nation.

In the remaining final polls, the Sooners were ranked No. 10 by Collegiate Baseball and the NCBWA (National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association) and No. 11 on the Sports Weekly/USA Today list.

2007 SIGNING CLASS TABBED FOURTH BEST
For the third time in the last four years, the Oklahoma baseball team's incoming class was ranked in the nation's top 10, coming in at No. 4 as released by Collegiate Baseball in Sept. The 2007 class trailed South Carolina, Miami (Fl.) and Florida.

Oklahoma's 2007 class consists of 18 newcomers and features two players drafted highly in the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft, freshman outfielder Devin Shepherd (fifth-round) out of Oxnard Union High School in California and freshman right-handed pitcher Antwonie Hubbard (12th-round) from Hooks High School in Texas.

SOONERS SIGN EIGHT FOR 2008
Oklahoma baseball head coach Sunny Golloway announced the signing of eight baseball players for the 2008 season to national letters of intent in November.

For the second consecutive year, the OU coaching staff landed a projected first-round draft pick in Blake Beavan. Beaven was a member of the USA Junior National Team in 2006. Last year, Oklahoma signed Devin Shepherd, one of the highest ranked prep outfielders in the country (drafted in the fifth round by the Minnesota Twins).

Although Beavan headlines the class, the other signees have
earned their share of accolades in their young careers. The group features seven high school prospects and one junior college transfer.

Below is a brief look at the Sooners' newcomers in 2008:

Blake Beavan, RHP, 6-7, 210
Irving, Texas (Irving H.S.)

Chad Colbert, INF, 5-10, 170
Allen, Okla. (Allen H.S.)

P.J. Dean, RHP, 6-3, 175
New Caney, Texas (New Caney H.S.)

Ryan Duke, RHP/INF, 6-0, 165
Corpus Christi, Texas (Calallen H.S.)

Matt Hoffman, OF/LHP, 6-2, 190
Tulsa, Okla. (Owasso H.S.)

Gary Poynter, RHP, 6-3, 220
Flower Mound, Texas (Weatherford J.C./Marcus H.S.)

Michael Rocha, RHP, 5-11, 190
Austin, Texas (Hays Consolidated H.S.)

Brandon Smith, INF, 5-11, 205
Norman, Okla. (Norman North H.S.)