Sooners Beat Shockers, Return to Win Column

Tuesday, March 5

Norman

6:30 p.m.

University of Oklahoma

6-5

Wichita State

7-4

Wichita State

Oklahoma

Sooners Beat Shockers, Return to Win Column

March 05, 2024 | Baseball

Box Score Box Score: OU 5, WSU 3 Home Tickets

NORMAN — Oklahoma baseball returned to the win column with a 5-3 win over Wichita State Tuesday night at L. Dale Mitchell Park in Norman.

The Sooners (6-5) were powered by a 2-for-3, 3 RBI night from sophomore Easton Carmichael. The catcher hit his first home run of the season and seventh of his career to push OU to its sixth win of the season.

"Every game matters," said OU head coach Skip Johnson. "In college baseball every game matters. A Tuesday game is no different than a weekend game. Conference games are just as important as non-conference games because of your RPI. (We have) a tough schedule with big opponents and getting wins when you can is the difference."

Oklahoma starting pitcher senior Will Carsten went three scoreless innings, allowing no runs or walks and just one hit to go with a strikeout. The Sooners got on the board first in the bottom half of the third thanks to a Carmichael sacrifice fly.

Into the fourth inning, sophomore Rocco Garza-Gongora, returning to the starting lineup for the first time in five games, brought in a run on an RBI groundout to push OU's lead to two.

Carmichael stayed hot in the fifth inning, ripping an RBI single through the left side to score senior Anthony Mackenzie before racing home on a wild pitch.

The Shockers (7-4) broke their scoreless streak on a two-run home run in the sixth to pull within a pair. Carmichael got one run back in the seventh via solo home run, his first of the season and OU's 11th as a team.

WSU brought the final to 5-3 in the ninth on a solo home run to right field.

Grad transfer LHP Grant Stevens (W, 1-0) earned the win in relief, going 2.2 innings and surrendering one run on four hits with two strikeouts and a walk. Oklahoma threw eight pitchers in the contest, with sophomore righty Malachi Witherspoon earning the save in the ninth, fanning one.

At the plate, Carmichael and juniors John Spikerman (2-for-5) and Carter Frederick (2-for-4) led OU. Six Sooners registered a hit in the game.

The Sooners return to action at Mitchell Park this weekend, March 8-10, to open Big 12 conference play vs. UCF. The three-game series can be seen on ESPN+ and heard locally on SportsTalk 1400 AM/99.3 FM or nationwide on The Varsity app.

Single game tickets and mini-plan options are available via SoonerSports.com/tickets.

For updates and more information on Oklahoma baseball, follow the Sooners on Twitter and Instagram (@OU_Baseball) and like Oklahoma Baseball on Facebook.