Harris’ Clutch Double Leads Sooners Past Falcons

Monday, February 20

3 p.m.

University of Oklahoma

2-2

Air Force

1-3

Air Force

Oklahoma

Photo by: Ty Russell

Harris’ Clutch Double Leads Sooners Past Falcons

February 20, 2023 | Baseball

Box Score Box Score Photo Gallery

NORMAN — Junior shortstop Dakota Harris hit a two-run double in the bottom of the eighth inning to break a tie and push Oklahoma past Air Force 8-6 Monday afternoon at L. Dale Mitchell Park.

Harris led the Sooners (2-2) with four RBIs on a pair of hits while junior first baseman Anthony Mackenzie went 2 for 3 and drove in two runs. Freshman catcher Easton Carmichael notched his first career hit on a triple in the second inning and scored two runs in a 3-for-4 day at the plate.

Junior college transfer Carson Pierce (1-0) earned his first win at Oklahoma after pitching 2.1 shutout innings with two strikeouts. Junior college transfer Gray Harrison started and struck out three over two frames. Freshmen Carson Turnquist and Julien Hachem made their collegiate debuts and junior college transfer Adam Walker saw his first action on the mound at OU. Zach Peters (0-1) took the loss for the Falcons (1-3).

"We learned a lot today about who we are and about understanding what going pitch to pitch is about," Oklahoma head coach Skip Johnson said. "In order for us to be good in college baseball, we have to develop freshman. So, we were going to try to open up with Harrison and let him throw some, then run Turnquist in there and then run Julien in there. You'll see the difference in those guys and how they grow up. I was excited for Walker and I was excited Pierce in his second time out."

Oklahoma scored two runs in the first inning on a double by Harris. Sophomore center fielder John Spikerman, who went 2 for 4, singled and Mackenzie doubled to start the frame. OU added two more runs in the second on a Mackenzie sacrifice fly and a balk to make it 4-1.

Air Force scored a run in the second inning on a double by second baseman Trayden Tamiya and made it 4-3 in the third on a two-run home run by third baseman Jay Thomason. The Falcons took a 6-4 lead in the top of the fifth on an RBI double by right fielder Chase Spencer and a two-run homer by left fielder Chris Stallings.

The Sooners pulled within 6-5 in the fifth on a base hit by sophomore third baseman Wallace Clark. Junior right fielder Bryce Madron, who hit a leadoff double into the right center gap, scored on the play. A sacrifice fly by Mackenzie in the sixth scored Carmichael to tie the game six apiece.

Redshirt junior left fielder Kendall Pettis singled to start the eighth and Madron drew a two-out walk, setting up Harris' two-run opposite-field double toward the right field wall.

The Sooners travel to Arlington, Texas, Wednesday for a single game against Abilene Christian at Globe Life Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.