OU Snaps Skid, Upends Missouri

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The Oklahoma baseball team snapped a six-game losing streak with a 5-0 victory over No. 21 Missouri on Saturday. The Sooners recorded their third shutout in Big 12 play and outhit the Tigers 10-5.

The win improves OU's record to 29-21 overall and 9-14 in Big 12 play, while Missouri dropped 34-14 and 15-8.

Heath Taylor (8-3) combined with Nich Conaway and Garrett Richards to record the shutout. Taylor lasted 5 2/3 innings and struck out five for his team-leading eighth victory and first in his last three starts.

The Sooners' bullpen held the Tigers hitless as Conaway was perfect over 2 1/3 innings with four strikeouts and Garrett Richards pitched a flawless ninth to seal the victory.

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“This was a much-needed win,” said OU head coach Sunny Golloway. “I was proud of the way we bounced back after yesterday's loss. The coaching staff always stresses mental toughness to these student-athletes and we displayed that today.”

The Sooners struck first on Aaron Baker's fielder's choice in the first frame, which plated Joseph Hughes after he was hit by a pitch. The unearned run was scored thanks to a combination of Baker's grounder back to the pitcher and an attempted double play by Missouri shortstop Gary Arndt, who made an errant throw to first allowing Hughes to come home from second base.

With a one-run lead, Taylor got out of crucial bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the fourth after walking two hitters. With a full-count, Taylor forced leadoff hitter Evan Frey into ground out to Baker at first base. The Tigers and Rick Zagone (6-2) returned the favor in the top of the fifth as Oklahoma left the bases full without scoring a run.

The Sooners extended their lead in the top of the seventh. The frame began with Bryant Hernandez's first career triple. The hit set up Aaron Ivey's RBI single to center field, giving OU a 2-0 lead. Two batters later, with one out, Aaron Reza singled through the left-side of the infield and later scored with Ivey on Jackson Williams' two-run single to right. The two RBIs represented the 16th and 17th runs driven in by Williams in the last 11 games.

The Sooners added an extra insurance run in the seventh off Dunigan's 44th RBI of the season. The fielder's choice gave OU a 5-0 lead they would not relinquish.

The series finale between the Sooners and Tigers is set for Sunday, May 13. First pitch at Taylor Stadium is set for 1 p.m.