Completed Event: Baseball versus (3) Georgia on June 15, 2026 , Win , 4, to, 3
Final
Baseball
4
vs (3) Georgia
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University of Oklahoma Athletics
Oklahoma Builds Big Early Lead, Tops Kansas State 15-10 :: Alexander hits grand slam in first inning, Bose hits three-run triple in second.
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Matt Bose drove in a career-high five as Oklahoma rolled to a 15-10 win over Kansas State on Friday night. |
May 3, 2002
NORMAN, Okla. - The Oklahoma baseball team won a battle of big innings on Friday night, building an 11-0 lead after the first two innings and holding on for a 15-10 triumph. The Sooners cranked out a season-high 19 hits, Luke Alexander hit a grand slam in the first inning and Matt Bose went 3-for-4 with a career-high five RBI. David Purcey (4-3) notched the win after going 5.1 innings, allowing four hits and six runs -- only one was earned -- and striking out six. The Sooners improved to 27-20 on the season (9-10 Big 12), while Kansas State fell to 23-21 (8-11 Big 12).
"We got off to a really good start tonight," said Oklahoma head coach Larry Cochell. "Luke (Alexander) hit his grand slam and what better way is there to get going in a big series? Offensively, we had a really good night and swung the bats well. We came out ready to play and we need to keep it up the next two days."
Eddie Cornejo and Jason Fransz each went 2-for-4 with three runs scored, while Ryan Richardson was 3-for-4 with three runs. Denver Kitch notched three hits, while Brandon Jones and Charlie Frasier each recorded two. Evan Greusel made the 78th appearance of his career in the game, going 2.2 innings, allowing just one hit and striking out three. The appearance ties him with teammate Rocky Cherry for the school-record in that category.
In the first inning, Kansas State loaded the bases, however Purcey got out of the inning unscathed. Oklahoma then had a huge first of its own, scoring six runs on five hits. Reggie Willits and Cornejo walked to lead off the frame and Fransz singled to load the bases. Alexander then emptied the bases by ripping a grand slam over the right field wall on an 0-1 pitch, giving OU a 4-0 lead. It was Alexander's first grand slam as a Sooner, but his sixth home run of the season. Bose then singled to bring home a run and Jones grounded out, plating one more.
OU continued its offensive explosion with five more runs in the second inning. The Sooners again loaded the bases and Bose drilled a triple down the right field line to bring three men home. Kitch singled to bring Bose home, and Jones roped a double to left center, bringing Kitch in. Jones was thrown out on the play, however the damage was done and the inning ended with OU up 11-0.
Purcey allowed a single to the leadoff batter in the first inning, but held K-State without a hit until the fifth inning. The Wildcats finally broke through on the big freshman lefty in the sixth however, scoring six runs -- one earned -- on just three hits. OU answered with four runs of its own in the bottom of the sixth to extend its lead to 15-6. Richardson singled to score a run and Frasier doubled down the right field line to score another. Bose hit a sacrifice fly, his fifth RBI on the day, and Kitch singled to score Frasier.
The Wildcats made things interesting by scoring four runs in the ninth inning to make it 15-10, but Zack Cherry closed the door.
The Sooners and Wildcats will square off again on Saturday at 7 p.m. The teams will play game three of the series on Sunday at 1 p.m. The Oklahoma baseball program will hold Senior Day on Sunday, honoring the seven departing senior members of the squad.
