Kentucky baseball takes Game 1 from Oklahoma in penultimate SEC series
The Oklahoma baseball team's hopes for hosting a Norman Regional took a modest blow Friday as the No. 16 Sooners fell to Kentucky, 4-3, in the opener of a three-game series.
Oklahoma entered the weekend in a three-way tie for eighth in the Southeastern Conference. A series win combined with another in the regular-season finale next weekend would built the Sooners' resume for the NCAA Tournament, potentially thick enough to host.
But Friday's result was a setback as OU couldn't overcome Kentucky's four-run third inning.
The Wildcats picked up five hits off Oklahoma starter Kyson Witherspoon in the frame. The first four Kentucky batters of the inning hit a triple, a double, a home run and a single, in that order. A final single, from Wildcats first baseman James McCoy capped the scoring.
Witherspoon bounced back with a scoreless fourth and fifth before being lifted. He allowed the four runs on six hits, two walks a hit batter while striking out four. His teammates nearly caught Kentucky Nate Harris for just as much, but Wildcats coach Nick Mingione pulled his starter just in time.
Oklahoma actually opened the scoring with a pair of runs in the top of the third inning. Trey Gambill walked and Easton Carmichael knocked him home with a two-run home run ahead of Kentucky's outburst.
The Sooners made things interesting in the fifth when they scored their final run. The first two batters of the innings were retired, but Carmichael singled and advanced to second base on a wild pitch, then third on a passed ball as Jaxon Willits walked. Kyle Branch followed with an RBI single, moving Willits up to second base on the play, as well. But Sam Christiansen flied out to end the inning and OU's chances.
Game 2 from Lexington is scheduled for 11:30 CT on Saturday.
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