University of Oklahoma Athletics

Oklahoma Falls 11-2 To Texas A&M In Big 12 Tournament :: Mix becomes school's career strikeout leader.

Oklahoma Falls 11-2 To Texas A&M In Big 12 Tournament :: Mix becomes school's career strikeout leader.
 
 
 

 
Senior pitcher Austin Mix became OU's all-time strikeout leader in OU's 11-2 loss to A&M.
  
 
Oklahoma Falls 11-2 To Texas A&M In Big 12 Tournament

Mix becomes school's career strikeout leader.

May 21, 2003

Box Score

OKLAHOMA CITY - Seventh-seeded Oklahoma ran into a hot-hitting Texas A&M lineup as the Sooners fell 11-2 to the second-seeded and eighth-ranked Aggies in their first game of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Tournament Wednesday afternoon at the SBC Bricktown Ballpark. OU starting pitcher Mark Roberts (5-7) got tagged for nine early runs on nine hits through the first four innings as A&M grabbed a large lead that the Sooners were unable to overcome. Despite the outcome of the game, the Sooners did have a bright spot as senior pitcher Austin Mix became Oklahoma's career strikeout leader by fanning four batters to break the record. Oklahoma dropped to 22-30 overall, while Texas A&M improved to 42-15.

Mix broke former Sooner Mark Redman's eight-year old strikeout record which he established with 294 strikeouts from 1994-95. The four-year senior tied the record with his third strikeout to end the seventh inning as he fanned A&M shortstop Matt Alexander. Mix then set a new record with his 295th strikeout by striking out designated hitter Jordy Mitchell looking on the final batter he faced in the bottom of the eighth inning.

With two outs in the bottom of the first inning, Texas A&M scored its first two runs on a pair of extra base hits and a wild pitch. Right fielder Cory Patton doubled and scored on center fielder Justin Ruggiano's triple to right field and Ruggiano crossed home plate on a pitch that bounced back to the backstop.

Oklahoma responded with a run in the top of the second inning to cut Texas A&M's lead down to 2-1. OU junior catcher Spencer Wyman (1-for-4) doubled and continued on to third base on an error in center field by Ruggiano. A single by senior designated hitter Matt Arkison (1-for-3) drove in Wyman for OU's first run of the contest. Wyman's double extended his career-long hitting streak to nine games.

A solo home run by A&M left fielder John Infante accounted for the Aggies' lone run in the bottom of the second frame before they opened up a 7-1 lead with a four run third inning. In the hopes of getting a force at any base for the final out, Roberts intentionally walked first baseman Scott Beerer to load the bases with two outs. A&M catcher Justin Pouk made OU pay by following the walk with a single to plate two runs. Beerer and Pouk both scored on consecutive plays as Beerer reached home on an error by Sooner freshman left fielder LaFringe Hayes (1-for-3) and Pouk advanced home from third on a balk.

A lead-off walk by senior center fielder Reggie Willits (0-for-3) turned into the Sooners' second run in the sixth inning after Willits moved around the bases on a single by senior second baseman Eddie Cornejo (3-for-5) and raced home to cross home plate on a wild pitch by A&M starter Logan Kensing (7-5).

Mix came on to start the fifth inning and quieted the Aggie bats over the next three frames before giving up two runs in the bottom of the eighth. Mix walked and gave up a base hit to the first two batters of the inning before allowing two-straight RBI-singles to plate both baserunners.

The loss sets up the fourth Bedlam matchup of the season as the Sooners will square off with the sixth-seeded Oklahoma State Cowboys to begin tournament action at 10 a.m. Thursday morning at the SBC Bricktown Ballpark. The Cowboys lost to the No. 3 seed Texas Longhorns, 10-7, earlier on Wednesday.