Witherspoon Strikes Out 11, OU Falls in Game One vs. MSU

Friday, March 21

6:30 p.m. CT

University of Oklahoma

18-3, 0

Mississippi State

15-7, 0

Mississippi State

Oklahoma

Witherspoon Strikes Out 11, OU Falls in Game One vs. MSU

March 21, 2025 | Baseball

Box Score Final Stats Tickets

NORMAN — No. 10 Oklahoma fell in the series opener to Mississippi State Friday night, 2-1.

The Bulldogs (15-7, 1-3 SEC) handed the Sooners (18-3, 2-2) their first home loss of the season. It was OU's first series-opening loss since April 5, 2024.

OU starting right-handed pitcher Kyson Witherspoon (L, 5-1) took his first loss of the season in an exceptional effort. The junior struck out 11, his third double-digit strikeout performance of the season. Witherspoon surrendered one earned run on five hits and one walk.

The Bulldogs jumped out to a one-run lead in the first, plating an unearned run via single. A pitcher's duel ensued between Witherspoon and MSU starter Pico Kohn. The two hurled five straight scoreless innings before the teams exchanged single runs in the seventh.

At the top of the seventh, MSU pushed its lead to a pair on a sacrifice fly, Witherspoon's only earned run surrendered of the game. OU sophomore RHP Jason Bodin entered and left runners on the corners to send OU to the plate.

In the home half of the seventh, a two-out error allowed OU sophomore Dasan Harris to reach. The following batter, sophomore Jason Walk, laced an RBI double to right center to score Harris and cut the deficit to one.

The Sooners saw chances in the eighth and ninth. A leadoff single from junior Easton Carmichael in the eighth and a one-out walk in the ninth drawn by redshirt sophomore Sam Christiansen put the tying runs on base but OU couldn't manufacture a rally.

OU batters struck out a season high 14 times, 10 to the MSU starter Kohn. Walk brought in OU's run in a 1-for-3 showing, drawing one walk.

Sooner relief arms James Hitt (0.1 IP) and Bodin (2.0) combined to close the contest with Bodin striking out a pair.

The teams meet for the second game of the series Saturday at 4 p.m. CT before a 2 p.m. first pitch for Sunday's finale. Tickets are available via SoonerSports.com/tickets.

The series can be seen via SECN+ and heard in Oklahoma on 99.3 FM/1400 AM The REF or nationwide on The Varsity Network app.

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