Completed Event: Baseball versus Texas Tech on February 13, 2026 , Win , 10, to, 3
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University of Oklahoma Athletics
Mercurius, Rager Earn SEC Weekly Honors
February 16, 2026 | Baseball
ARLINGTON, Texas — After helping Oklahoma to an opening-weekend sweep at the Shriners Children's College Showdown, pitchers LJ Mecurius and Cord Rager have been named SEC Co-Pitcher and Co-Freshman of the Week, respectively.
In his OU debut, the junior right-handed pitcher Mercurius went 5.1 innings and struck out a career high-tying 12 batters in the Sooners' 11-1 win over rival Oklahoma State at the Shriners Showdown. The UNLV transfer surrendered just one run on three hits with two walks. The junior struck out the side in two of his 5.1 innings pitched and registered two or more K's in four innings.
Oklahoma's Sunday win vs. No. 10 TCU for the Shriners Showdown title was highlighted by the debut of the freshman lefty Rager. He went 5.0 innings and struck out eight while surrendering just one run on two hits with three walks. In his first inning as a collegian, Rager struck out the side in order.
The weekly honors are the first of the season for the Sooners and the first since Drew Dickerson claimed Freshman of the Week honors a season ago (4/21/25). Mercurius is the second Sooner to be named a pitcher of the week after 2025 MLB Draft first-rounder Kyson Witherspoon earned the honor twice last year.
Mercurius shared the accolade with Dylan Volantis of Texas, while Rager splits the frosh honors with Cash Strayer of Florida.
No. 21 Oklahoma returns to action Monday evening at Globe Life Field vs. New Mexico State at 6:30 p.m. CT. The game can be seen via simulcast on SECN+ and heard on 99.3 FM/1400 AM. Tickets for the weekend are available via CollegeBaseballSeries.com.
Season and single game tickets for the 2026 season are available now on SoonerSports.com/tickets. For more information about Oklahoma baseball tickets, contact the OU Athletics Ticket Office at 405-325-2424, by email at outickets@ou.edu or by visiting SoonerSports.com/tickets.
For updates and more information on Oklahoma baseball, follow the Sooners on Twitter/X and Instagram (@OU_Baseball) and like Oklahoma Baseball on Facebook.
Players Mentioned
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BB Highlights: OU 10, Oklahoma State 1
Saturday, February 14
BB Highlights: OU 10, Texas Tech 3
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