Completed Event: Baseball versus (2) Georgia Tech on May 31, 2026 , Win , 15, to, 8
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University of Oklahoma Athletics
OU Hosts WIU in Home Opener Friday
February 22, 2007 | Baseball
NORMAN, Okla. -- For the second consecutive year, the OU baseball team (2-4) will face Western Illinois (6-2) in the home opener. The game is the start of a nine-game home stand for the Sooners.
The Sooners and Leathernecks will begin the three-game series on Friday, Feb. 23 at 3 p.m. at L. Dale Mitchell Park. Game two is slated for a 1 p.m. first pitch on Saturday and the series finale will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
OU and WIU first met during the 2002 season, an 18-8 victory for the Sooners in a mid week game. Since 2002, OU and WIU have played each other in three of the last four years.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
This weekend's games will be broadcast live via the internet by Yahoo with Chuck Kelly (play-by-play) and former Sooner DeWayne Vaughn (color). 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. A live webcast for all three games will also be available on the O-Zone, Soonersports.com's paid site.
Fans can also E-mail the radio booth by clicking the following link - E-mail your questions to the radio booth and the OU broadcast crew will answer your questions during the Sooners' games.
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TICKETS AND PROMOTIONS FOR WIU SERIES
Seats to this weekend's games are available for $10 (reserved), $7 (general admission), $5 (youth and senior citizen) and $3 for groups of ten or more at the OU Athletics Ticket Office (800-456-4668) and at SoonerSports.com. The gates will open an hour and a half before first pitch. On Friday, the first 500 fans will receive free OU Banners, on Saturday, the first 500 fans in attendance will receive an OU baseball schedule magnet and after Sunday's finale, kids are invited to run around the bases. The Sooners will also sign autographs after every game at the end of the third base dugout.
UPDATING THE SOONERS
After enjoying 11 days off the Sooners will return to action this weekend. OU got off to a rough start to 2007 with six straight games on the road, but the squad will return to the friendly confines of L. Dale Mitchell Park for the first time since winning the 2006 NCAA Regional.
The Sooners lost an 11-5 contest to Western Kentucky the last time they took the field in the Hughes Bros. Challenge in Wilmington, N.C. Despite recording a 1-2 mark in the tournament, OU jump started its offense by collecting 33 hits and recording a .311 clip in the three games. In the first weekend of the season, OU only managed 19 hits and a .198 BA.
SCOUTING WESTERN ILLINOIS
The Leathernecks were picked to finish second in the Mid Continent Conference behind Oral Roberts after a second place finish in 2006. WIU stats from 2006 are located on pg. 12.
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On the mound, senior left-hander Quinn Leath is expected to get the starting nod in the series opener. Leath, who has not made an appearance in 2007, was selected to All-Mid-Con First Team in 2006 after leading the conference in ERA (2.06), opponents batting average (.224) and ranking second in the conference in wins (8). Leath tossed two innings of relief against OU last season, allowing two hits and two walks.
Saturday's starting pitcher, Travis Tolsma (RHP), is 0-0 with a 3.75 ERA this season. The junior has 11 strikeouts in 12 innings pitched in 2007 (three starts). He is a transfer from Triton College where he was 8-2 with a 2.43 ERA last year.
On Sunday, OU is expected to face right-handed Rob Johnson. The senior started last year's series opener against the Sooners and allowed seven runs (three earned) on six hits and three walks in 3 2/3 innings pitched. Johnson has three starts under his belt in 2007. He is 1-0 with a 4.26 ERA and 10 strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings.
Junior outfielder Brett Pendell leads the Leathernecks with a .532 clip. Pendell claimed Mid Continent Conference Player of the Week honors for the past two weeks. Pendell hit .714 last week in four games and finished 9-for-11 at the plate over the weekend against Alabama A&M. He leads WIU with 25 total bases (five doubles) this season and his seven RBIs ranks in a tie for fifth place on the team.
The Sooners lead the all-time series with the Leathernecks, 7-1. OU has won six straight in the series since suffering a 5-4 loss in a mid week contest in 2004. In the seven victories, OU has outscored WIU 84-26.
OU-WIU GAME-BY-GAME HISTORY
Below is a game-by-game recap of the series between the Sooners and Leathernecks. Refer to page six for individual career stats versus Western Illinois.
March 13, 2002 - OU 18, WIU 8
April 14, 2004 - WIU 5, OU 4
Feb. 26, 2005 - OU 6, WIU 4
Feb. 27, 2005 - OU 11, WIU 2
Feb. 28, 2005 - OU 13, WIU 7
Feb. 10, 2006 - OU 13, WIU 4
Feb. 11, 2006 - OU 14, WIU 0
Feb. 12, 2006 - OU 9, WIU 1
NEXT UP
The Sooners continue the current home stand against Wichita State on Wednesday, Feb. 28 (5 p.m.). The contest was originally slated for Tuesday, Feb. 27. The game is the first of two meetings in 2007 between the Sooners and Shockers. The second meeting will take place in Wichita, Kan., on April 10 at Eck Stadium.
NINE-GAME HOME STAND
After spending the first six games of the season on the road, OU returns to Norman for the longest home stand of the season. Friday's series opener against Western Illinois is the start of a nine-game home stand which also features games against Wichita State (Feb. 28), 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.
HOME OPENERS SINCE 1962
The Sooners have won 25 straight home openers dating back to 1982. In the past 45 seasons, the University of Oklahoma baseball team is 41-4 in the first home game of the season. The Sooners' only losses in a home opener came in 1962 (6-1 against Loyola), 1965 (1-0 against OSU), 1969 (3-0 against Kansas) and 1981 (6-5 against Southeastern State). Additionally, the Sooners have only dropped one three-game set (first home series) in that span - Oklahoma State in 1965 (1-2).
GAME CHANGES
In addition to the Wichita State game, originally slated for Feb. 27, being moved to Feb. 28 at 5 p.m., the OU baseball team announced two other changes in the home schedule. Game two of the mid-week series against UTPA on March 14 has been moved to a noon start (originally scheduled for a 3 p.m. first pitch). In addition, game three against Michigan State on March 18 has also been moved to a noon first pitch, originally slated for a 1 p.m. start. Please check the schedule page on Soonersports.com for the most up-to-date information.
REZA TO MISS 4-6 WEEKS
Junior shortstop Aaron Reza, who brook his glove hand (left) in practice on Jan. 24, is scheduled to have his cast removed on Feb. 22. Reza is expected to miss four-six weeks of action and he will be revaluated on whether he will return to action this weekend. 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.
BAKER'S DELIGHT
True freshman Aaron Baker continues to impress as the Sooners' most productive hitter in the first six games. The Denton, Texas, native is third on the squad with a .391 batting average and first with seven RBIs and 15 total bases. Baker is the only OU player to hit safely in all six games this season and is joined by Cory Williamson as the only Sooners to connect for homers in 2007.
PORLIER POISED
After coming out of the OU bullpen to strike out six batters and pitch four innings of no-hit ball on Feb. 3 against UTPA, Stephen Porlier made his first start as a Sooner on Feb. 10 against UNC-Wilmington. The transfer from Tulane University wasted no time in solidifying his spot in the weekend rotation. The junior right-hander recorded five strikeouts in five innings pitched to record the win.
SOONERS ON TELEVISION
Baseball fans can catch action of three OU baseball games this season on live television, including a national broadcast by College Sports Television on April 5 when the Sooners visit Baylor. The complete broadcast schedule includes:
Thursday, April 5 at Baylor (CSTV)
Saturday, April 14 vs. Nebraska (FSN)
Sunday, May 6 vs. Oklahoma State (SSN)
BASEBALL ON THE O-ZONE
With the exception of the Feb. 28 game against Wichita State and the March 3 game UC Riverside, every game of the home portion of the 2007 schedule can be seen live via webcasts carried by the O-Zone, Soonersports.com's premium site. For more information on the O-Zone, please visit the O-Zone central page.
BIG 12 COMMISSIONER'S HONOR ROLL
Fifteen members of the OU baseball team were named to the 2006 Fall Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll. Aaron Ivey was the lone Sooner to record a perfect 4. 0 GPA. Also making the list were Elliott Blair, Brad Burns, Andrew Doyle, Jarod Freeman, Zach Hedges, Bryant Hernandez, Joseph Hughes, Brandon Moss, Ryan Mottern, Stephen Porlier, Drew Roberts, Jimmy Rollins, Jackson Williams and Cory Williamson. Student-athletes must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA for the semester to qualify for the list.
DOWNLOAD THE 2007 MEDIA GUIDE
View the complete 2007 Oklahoma Baseball Media Guide by clicking here. This is the official source of information on the Sooners produced by the OU Athletics Media Relations Department. The cost for the 2007 Baseball Guide is $15 and it is available at the OU Bookstore (405) 325-3511 (ask for general book sales), at all home games or by calling Sooner Sports Properties (405) 325-6465.
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
Texas A&M - 10
OSU - 8
Nebraska - 7
Baylor - 4
Missouri - 4
Texas Tech - 3
Kansas State - 2
Kansas - 1
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).
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.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.
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.
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.
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
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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.)
OU BASEBALL HISTORY
Click here to view a complete overview of the history of baseball at the University of Oklahoma. Oklahoma is one of 12 schools to win multiple national titles and the Sooners nine College World Series appearances also ranks among the best in Division I baseball. Click the above link to learn more about the Sooners'postseason history, All-Americans and more.
Saturday, July 11
Thursday, June 25
Wednesday, June 24
Monday, June 22
