Home Runs Costly for OU in Finale

NORMAN, Okla. -- The Oklahoma Sooners held an early 2-0 lead but could not hold visiting Kansas' offense at bay, which homered three times, as they dropped the series finale, 9-4, on Sunday at L. Dale Mitchell Park.

The Sooners also lost game two on Saturday to the Jayhawks, 6-3, and currently stand at 28-17 overall and 8-10 in Big 12 play. Kansas improved to 22-26 overall and 8-13 in conference action with Sunday's win.

After tying the game at three runs apiece in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Sooners surrendered three runs in the top of the sixth. In the decisive frame, Kyle Murphy's two-run double to the gap in right center proved to be the difference for Kansas.

Nich Conaway, who made his second career start on Sunday, took the loss after allowing the first five runs of the game on four hits and three walks. Conaway struck out five in five innings of work.

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“This is a disappointing loss because we are a better ball club then the way we are playing right now,” said OU head coach Sunny Golloway. “The coaching staff has to take responsibility for that and we need to continue to work hard.”

Oklahoma wasted no time in taking the early lead as Aaron Ivey led off the game with a single and after stealing second base, scored on Aljay Davis' base hit up the middle.

In the second, Joseph Hughes gave the Sooners a 2-0 lead after plating Jackson Williams on a single through the left side of the KU infield. Despite holding a 2-0 lead, OU stranded three runners in the first two frames and 11 overall in the game.

“You look at the first two frames and we score one run each and easily could have scored four or five runs there,” said Golloway. “Somebody has to step up to the plate and get a two-out hit. A couple of two-out hits today and we're probably running away.”

Clutch hits were at a premium for Oklahoma on Sunday and the direct opposite for the Jayhawks. Kansas connected for five hits in 13 opportunities at the plate with two outs on the board. The five clutch hits accounted for six of Kansas' nine runs. In comparison, OU was 2-for-10 and connected for one RBI, all of which came in the ninth inning.

The Jayhawks' defense played a big role in limiting the Sooners' offensive attack. Kansas turned four double plays in the series finale on Sunday, a day after holding off OU in game two with double plays in the sixth and seventh innings.

Andrews Esquibel, who relieved Kansas starter Wally Marciel, earned the victory with 3 2/3 innings of middle relief. Esquibel improved to 6-3 after holding OU to one hit and striking out three.

After Kansas took a 3-2 lead off Conaway in the fourth inning, the Sooners quickly countered in the fifth with Aaron Baker's RBI on an infield ground out. However, the fifth frame featured another lost opportunity for OU, which loaded the bases with zero outs but only managed to plate one run and tie the game at three runs apiece.

In the Jayhawks' at-bat in the sixth, Conaway was relieved by Garrett Richards after allowing the first two hitters to reach base. Despite loading the bases with a single to the first batter he faced, Richards struck out the next two Jayhawks before allowing the double down the right-field line to Murphy.

Murphy had a game-high four RBIs with the two-run double and two-run homer in the eighth, while Ivey led OU offensively with three hits and two runs scored. Ivey was solid at the plate for the three-game series, finishing 9-for-13 (.692) with two stolen bases and four runs scored. The Sooners' left fielder has hit safely in 10 of the last 11 games with six multiple-hit performances in that span.

The Sooners will return to action at home on Tuesday, May 1 with a doubleheader against Texas Arlington. Game one is slated for a 3 p.m. first pitch with game two to follow at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday's doubleheader will mark “Fan Appreciation Day” at L. Dale Mitchell Park. All fans will receive free admission and $.50 cokes and popcorn will be available while supplies last.

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