Box Score

NORMAN, Okla.- The lead changed four times in the battle against the Sooners, but Wichita State (8-3) dropped it in the late innings, 5-4, against Oklahoma (6-4).

 

The Shockers struck first in the top of the third. Matt Brown sent one to the right field wall for a base-clearing triple that plated two runs. Damon Sublett singled and Derek Schermerhorn reached safely on a fielder's choice previously.

 

The Sooners answered immediately in the bottom half to take a 3-2 lead. After one out, Oklahoma poked through four consecutive hits, ending with a double that scored the second and third runs of the inning.

 

Base running mistakes cut WSU's fourth short, but the Shockers managed to squeeze out one to knot it, 3-3. Danny Jackson drew a walk to lead off the inning and Blake Hurlbutt laid a bunt down to the right side, moving the runner to second. Tyler Hill singled to advance Jackson to third, but was out at second after a throw to home. Tyler Weber fired one passed the first baseman to push the run across, but was picked off to end the inning.

 

Sublett got on board with a walk in the fifth and Schermerhorn roped one to left field for a double, placing two runners in scoring position. A sacrifice fly from Brown crossed Sublett and regained a Wichita lead, 4-3.

 

The Sooners went down in order in the bottom of both the fourth and fifth innings, with a diving catch from left-fielder Hill, saving a hit.

 

Oklahoma's Joe Dunigan changed the lead once more with a two-run homer over the far right field fence, making it 5-4, in the Sooners' favor in the seventh inning.

 

The Sooners shut down the Shocker offense as Wichita State went hitless after the fifth inning.

 

Starter Rob Musgrave went three innings, giving up three earned runs on seven hits, issuing no walks and striking out three. Jared Simon (0-1) was charged with the loss, throwing two-thirds of the seventh, allowing two earned runs on three hits. Noah Booth took over to end the seventh and finished the eighth, giving up one hit.

 

Weber led the Shockers going 2-for-4 with an RBI. Sublett was 1-for-2 with two runs and two walks.

 

Wichita State hosts their home-opener this weekend against the Richmond Spiders in a three-game series beginning Friday, March 2, at 3 p.m. Saturday's game is at 2 p.m. with the conclusion at 1 p.m. Sunday.

 

-Wichita State-