Five Things to Watch: OU at Texas A&M

April 5, 2012

By Andrew Gilman | SoonerSports.com

NORMAN, Okla. -- No. 22 Oklahoma (18-11, 4-5 Big 12) travels to No. 4 Texas A&M (23-6, 4-2) for a three-game set over Easter weekend. The Sooners and Aggies will play the series on Thursday (6:35 p.m.), Friday (6:35 p.m.) and Saturday (3:30 p.m.) in College Station, Texas.

Below are five things to watch this week when the Sooners and the Aggies tangle for the last time in Big 12 play.

1. Great pitching matchup tonight
The Sooners and the Aggies are set for some pretty impressive pitching matchups. OU's Jordan John will start tonight. John is 4-4 with 2.72 ERA and was sensational last week in the opener against Kansas State. He threw a complete game, allowing just a run on six hits, and struck out 11 and walked just two. John will be taking on Michael Wacha who is 4-0 with a 2.72 ERA.

2. Momentum boost?
The Sooners had a good week in Norman last week, going 3-1, including taking two games from Kansas State. OU also topped Oral Roberts, 5-2. But Sunday's game could be a good sign. OU scored a pair of runs in the ninth inning for a 4-3 win over the Wildcats. The victory meant a series win for the second-consecutive week for the Sooners who are now 4-5 in the Big 12 Conference.

No. 22 Oklahoma at No. 4 Texas A&M | Thursday, April 5- Saturday, April 7
Game Preview | Radio: KREF 1400 AM | Live Stats | TV: ESPNU on Saturday

3. Tough test vs. A&M
The Sooners are ranked No. 22 and stand 18-11 on the season. However, A&M is looking like the team to beat in the conference. The Aggies are 23-6 overall and ranked No. 4 in the nation. They are 4-2 in the Big 12. A&M is loaded and is coming off a season where they went to the College World Series. In addition to Michael Wacha, righthanded pitcher Ross Stripling and righty Rafeael Pineda will start against the Sooners. They are a combined 8-1 this year.

4. Healthy again
Senior Erik Ross and Tanner Toal returned to the lineup last week to give the Sooners' some depth. The two suffered injuries against Texas in game two of that series. Ross is hitting .329 and Toal is hitting .333. They will help solidify a defense that has been helped by newcomers Dylan Neal at catcher and Brian Brightwell in leftfield. Brightwell is hitting .429 in just four starts this year.

5. National television showing
The Sooners will be seen by the nation on Saturday. ESPNU will broadcast the third game of the series. First pitch will be at 3:30 p.m. If you're not in front of the TV Saturday, KREF will broadcast all three games. Toby Rowland will handle play-by-play and Craig Moran will call the color. First pitch today will be at 6:35 p.m. Friday's game starts at 6:35 p.m.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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