Big 12 Preview: OU vs. Missouri

NORMAN, Okla. -- The Oklahoma baseball team (32-23 overall, 11-16 Big 12), seeded seventh, will begin its quest for a Big 12 Championship and an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament this week against No. 2 seeded Missouri (39-14, 19-8) on Wednesday, May 23 at 5 p.m.

The Sooners will also play No. 3 seed Oklahoma State (38-16, 16-11) and No. 6 seed Baylor (31-24, 12-15) in pool two on Friday, May 25 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 26 at 8 p.m., respectively. Sunday's championship game will be played between the winner of pool two and pool one (No. 1 Texas, No. 4 Nebraska, No. 5 Texas A&M and No. 8 Kansas State) at 1 p.m.

OU is 17-18 lifetime in the Big 12 Championship and 56-52 in conference tournament play. The Sooners own three titles (1977, 1979 and 1997).

BROADCAST INFORMATION
All three of the Sooners' games in the Big 12 Championship will be broadcast live on KOKC 1520 AM with Chuck Kelly calling the play-by-play and DeWayne Vaughn providing the color analysis.

Fans can 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.

The games will also be carried live on the internet via Yahoo. Pre-game coverage for all games, now begins 25 minutes prior to the first pitch. Live stats for all games this season can be viewed on Soonersports.com. A live webcast of each game will also be available on www.big12sports.com.

Live Stats | Webcast | 2007 Schedule

UPDATING THE SOONERS
OU ended the regular season on a four-game home stand and recorded a 3-1 mark last week, which began with a 10-6 win on Monday over Stephen F. Austin. The Sooners followed that game up with back-to-back wins over Texas Tech on Friday and Saturday (6-5 and 8-7) before failing to complete the sweep on Sunday in a 15-5 defeat.

PLAYER TO WATCH: JACKSON WILLIAMS
Junior catcher Jackson Williams has been one of the Sooners' most productive sluggers in the lineup over the last 17 games with 24 RBIs. That total tops the amount of runs Williams drove in during his first 35 games of the season. During the last 17 games, Williams has hit safely in all but two games with a .403 clip and has 10 multi-hit games (six multi-RBI games) Williams' 107 career RBIs is a team high after driving in 36 runs last season and 28 as a freshman.

OKLAHOMA/BIG 12 RPI's
Although not official, Boydsworld.com provides a weekly pseudo RPI system. OU is ranked No. 25 in the latest ranking released on Tuesday, May 22. The Big 12 is rated the No. 3 power conference in the nation behind the SEC and the ACC. The Big 12 has five teams ranked in the top 25 ahead of the Sooners (No. 2 Texas, No. 10 Texas A&M and No. 15 Missouri. No. 26 Nebraska, Baylor (32), Kansas State (37), Oklahoma State (47), Texas Tech (74) and Kansas (135) round out the conference's RPI's.

WILLIAMS AND PORLIER NAMED ALL-BIG 12
Junior Jackson Williams (C) and Sophomore Stephen Porlier (RHP) represented Oklahoma baseball on Tuesday. May 22 as the All-Big 12 teams were announced by the league office. Williams and Porlier earned second team honors while seniors Joseph Hughes (OF) and Aaron Ivey (OF) , juniors Joe Dunigan (OF), Aaron Reza (SS) and Heath Taylor (LHP) and freshman Aaron Baker (1B) received honorable mention.

FIRST THINGS FIRST
OU is outscoring its opponents 46-18 in the first inning of games played this season. OU is 12-6 when it scores in the first frame, (7-6 when opponent scores in the first) and when the Sooners tack on the game's initial run, they are 20-9 (12-14 when opponent scores first).

BASEBALL VISITS MIRACLE LEAGUE IN EDMOND
OU took the field Thursday night at Mitch Park to participate in two Miracle League games. The Sooners joined the Royals and Red Sox in game one and the Cardinals and Cubs in the second game. Each OU player paired up with a child from each team, ranging in age from five to late teens, and helped them play all positions in the field and take at-bats. The Miracle League, founded in 1997, is an organization that gives special-needs children an opportunity to play baseball. CLICK HERE to view photo galleries and video from Thursday's visit.

FOUR SOONERS EARN ACADEMIC ALL-BIG 12 HONORS
Seniors Aaron Ivey, Joseph Hughes and Cory Williamson were named to the 2007 Academic All-Big 12 First Team on May 15. Junior Jarod Freeman was honored on the second team.

Hughes, Williamson and Freeman were each selected for the first time in their careers. It marked the third time in Ivey's career that he was selected to the first team and the third time be nominated with a 4.0 GPA. Ivey is one of four Sooners in program history to be named to the first team on three occasions, joining Casey Bookout (1997-99), Chris Ebright (1987-89) and Matt Reubel (1989-91).

OU STAFF LEADS BIG 12 IN STRIKEOUTS
For the third consecutive week, the Sooners' pitching staff leads the Big 12 in strikeouts with 446. Texas A&M is second with 432 and Oklahoma State is third with 419. The OU staff, which is 12th in the country in strikeouts per game with an 8.4 average, features two of the conference best strikeout artists in Stephen Porlier and Nich Conaway. Porlier leads the Big 12 lead with 94 strikeouts, while Conaway is eighth with 81. In 2006, OU recorded 480 strikeouts, the most since the 1998 season (548). At the end of last year's regular season, the Sooners had 397 strikeouts and recorded 80 K's in 11 postseason games.

CONAWAY 7TH NATIONALLY IN STRIKEOUT AVERAGE
While OU's staff ranks 12th nationally with an 8.4 strikeout per game average, sophomore Nich Conaway is seventh in the country with a 12.2 average per nine innings. The hard-throwing righty has 81 K's in 60 innings of work. Conaway's 81 strikeouts is tied for fourth in the Big 12 and his 52 in conference play only, ranks third behind Stephen Porlier (54).

10 IS THE MAGIC NUMBER
The number 10 has proven to be an important statistic in determining the Sooners' record this season. Oklahoma is 9-0 when they score 10 or more runs. In addition, when the Sooners record 10 or more hits on offense, they are 21-9 with losses to Western Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan State, Kansas (2), Oklahoma State (2) and Missouri (2). On defense, OU is 8-17 when it allows 10 or more hits and in comparison 0-9 when it allows the opponent to score 10 or more runs this season (South Carolina, Western Kentucky, Nebraska, TCU, KSU, OSU, Missouri-2 and Texas Tech). In comparison, OU is 24-6 when it holds the opposition under 10 base knocks.

IVEY HONORED BY LOWE'S AND ESPN THE MAGAZINE
Last week, senior Aaron Ivey was named one of ten finalists for the Baseball Division of the 2007 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award. In addition, Ivey became the second Sooner in program history to garner Academic All-District honors in consecutive seasons. Ivey was named a first team member by ESPN The Magazine and CoSIDA and is eligible for Academic All-America honors.

Ivey was a 2006 CoSIDA Second Team Academic All-American in 2006. Fan balloting is available, from May 10 through June 6, on the award's official website www.seniorclassaward.com, and will be combined with votes from coaches, media and sponsors to determine the recipient of the 2007 award.

Vote Online | Ivey Named Academic All District

SOONERS VISIT WITH SPECIAL SPECTATORS
As Sooner fans across the country tuned in to watch the No. 23 Oklahoma baseball team battle Nebraska on Fox Sports Southwest on April 14, three fans in particular enjoyed the victory from beginning to end with the team in Norman. Alec Cochran, Ruben Contrares and Tyler Row enjoyed a behind the scenes tour of a typical gameday on top of the Sooners' victory thanks to the efforts of an organization called Special Spectators. Click here to read the rest of the story as well as see photos and videos from the day.

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.

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

2007 Media Guide

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.

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

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.

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.

Blake Beavan

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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