No. 18 Oklahoma (29-10, 10-8) run-rules Missouri in both ends of doubleheader to complete dominant sweep
In a thrilling display of dominance, the No. 18 Oklahoma Sooners (29-10, 10-8) crushed the Missouri Tigers in both games of a doubleheader to cap off a sweep of the two-game series at home. The Sooners used their offensive power, defensive stability, and pitching brilliance to overpower the Tigers, demonstrating why they are one of the top teams in college baseball this season. With both games ending in run-rule victories, Oklahoma showed no mercy, scoring at will and keeping Missouri on the back foot all day.
Game 1: A Statement Win for Oklahoma
The first game of the doubleheader saw the Sooners jump out to an early lead, establishing their dominance right from the first inning. The Sooners’ starting pitcher, sophomore right-hander Parker Scott, took the mound and delivered a masterful performance. Scott was in control from the get-go, mixing pitches effectively and using his fastball to keep the Tigers’ hitters off balance. He threw five shutout innings, allowing just two hits and striking out seven. Scott’s performance was a key factor in Oklahoma’s ability to dominate the game and set the tone for the rest of the day.
Oklahoma wasted no time putting runs on the board. In the bottom of the first inning, leadoff hitter Max Muncy got the Sooners off to a hot start with a single to center field. Muncy’s speed on the basepaths was a constant threat, and he would come around to score on a double by cleanup hitter Jimmy Crooks. Crooks’s double was the first of many extra-base hits on the day for the Sooners, who had no trouble getting runners into scoring position early and often.
The Sooners weren’t done in the first inning. Crooks moved to third on a sacrifice fly by Kendall Pettis, and then, with two outs, freshman sensation Brylie Ware came through with an RBI single to bring Crooks home. The Sooners’ early 2-0 lead would only be the beginning of a long day for the Tigers.
Missouri’s starting pitcher, left-hander Luke Shapiro, struggled to find a rhythm throughout the game. After allowing a quick first-inning run, he was unable to shut down Oklahoma’s powerful lineup. The Sooners tacked on more runs in the second inning, as Tanner Tredaway led off with a double and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Muncy. By the time the third inning rolled around, Oklahoma had a commanding 5-0 lead, and the Tigers were already in danger of being run-ruled.
The Sooners continued to pile on runs in the later innings. Crooks, Muncy, and Pettis were all involved in multiple run-scoring plays, with Oklahoma’s offense showing its depth and versatility. Crooks had another key hit in the fourth inning, a two-run single that put the Sooners up 8-0, and Missouri was unable to recover from the onslaught. By the fifth inning, Oklahoma had scored 10 runs, forcing the Tigers to concede the game early due to the run-rule, with the Sooners taking the opener by a final score of 10-0.
Oklahoma’s offense was firing on all cylinders in Game 1, with 13 hits and relentless pressure on Missouri’s pitching staff. Muncy and Crooks both had multi-hit games, with Crooks driving in three runs, while Ware and Pettis also contributed with multiple RBIs. Scott’s five-inning performance was more than enough to seal the win, and the Sooners were poised to finish the doubleheader in similar fashion.
Game 2: Another Dominant Sweep for Oklahoma
Game 2 of the doubleheader looked like more of the same for Oklahoma as they continued to overwhelm Missouri in every facet of the game. The Sooners’ starting pitcher for the second game, junior left-hander Jake Bennett, was equally as impressive as Scott in Game 1. Bennett, who has been one of the team’s most consistent pitchers this season, delivered a dominant six-inning outing. He allowed just one earned run, scattering six hits and striking out eight Tigers. Like Scott in the opener, Bennett kept Missouri off balance with a strong mix of pitches, including a devastating curveball that had the Tigers swinging and missing all afternoon.
Offensively, Oklahoma picked up right where they left off in Game 1. The Sooners came out swinging in the first inning, with Tanner Tredaway blasting a double to right-center to get things started. After a groundout advanced Tredaway to third, Brylie Ware singled to center to drive in the first run of the game. Ware’s RBI single was the beginning of another big offensive day for Oklahoma, and the Tigers found themselves in a hole early.
The Sooners were relentless in their pursuit of runs. In the second inning, with the score still 1-0, Oklahoma exploded for five runs. Max Muncy started the rally with a double, and then, after a walk to Jimmy Crooks and a wild pitch that moved both runners into scoring position, Pettis delivered an RBI single. The next batter, Brylie Ware, followed with a double to bring in two more runs, and Oklahoma was quickly up 4-0. The Sooners added another pair of runs later in the inning to extend their lead to 6-0, and it was clear that Missouri’s pitching staff was no match for Oklahoma’s offense.
In the fourth inning, Oklahoma added more insurance runs. With the score at 7-1, the Sooners put the game out of reach with a three-run rally, highlighted by a two-run single by Crooks that capped off a relentless offensive attack. By the end of the fourth inning, Oklahoma had an insurmountable 10-1 lead, and the Tigers were once again on the verge of being run-ruled.
Bennett continued to dominate on the mound, and Oklahoma’s defense was solid behind him, making all the plays necessary to keep Missouri from mounting any kind of rally. The Tigers’ lone run came in the third inning, when an RBI groundout from Missouri’s designated hitter brought home a runner. However, that was the only real scoring threat that Missouri was able to muster all game.
In the fifth inning, Oklahoma added another run for good measure, extending their lead to 11-1. With Missouri still unable to answer, the game was called early, and the Sooners completed the dominant sweep with an 11-1 victory. The Sooners had pounded out 15 hits, with Crooks and Muncy each contributing three hits in the game. Tredaway, Pettis, and Ware also chipped in with multiple RBIs, further showcasing the offensive depth of this Oklahoma team.
Key Performances and Takeaways
Oklahoma’s two-run-rule victories in both games of the doubleheader were a testament to their complete dominance in all phases of the game. Both the pitching staff and the offense were exceptional, and the defense was airtight. Parker Scott and Jake Bennett provided stellar performances on the mound, keeping Missouri’s hitters off balance and minimizing any scoring threats. Combined, they pitched 11 shutout innings across both games, with a total of 15 strikeouts and just eight hits allowed.
Offensively, the Sooners were on fire. Oklahoma’s lineup, which is one of the most potent in college baseball, showed its depth and ability to produce runs at a rapid pace. Crooks and Muncy were standouts in both games, driving in multiple runs and providing the necessary spark for the Sooners’ offense. Brylie Ware also had an excellent day at the plate, driving in runs and showing why he is such a key part of the lineup. The balance and firepower throughout the lineup made it nearly impossible for Missouri to get an out, let alone contain the Sooners’ offense.
Defensively, Oklahoma was sharp. They turned key double plays, made tough plays look routine, and kept their pitchers comfortable on the mound. The Sooners’ ability to play solid defense, combined with their overwhelming offense, is what makes them one of the most complete teams in college baseball this season.
For Missouri, the doubleheader sweep was a tough pill to swallow. Their pitching staff struggled mightily, and the offense was never able to get anything going against Oklahoma’s impressive pitchers. Missouri will need to regroup quickly, as the competitive nature of the SEC means that every game is critical for positioning in the standings.
Looking Ahead
Oklahoma’s sweep over Missouri has set a high bar for the rest of the season. With a 29-10 overall record and a solid 10-8 mark in conference play, the Sooners have positioned themselves as one of the top teams in the nation. With such strong pitching and an explosive offense, Oklahoma has all the tools to make a deep run in the postseason.
As for Missouri, they will need to bounce back quickly. Despite the tough losses, they have shown flashes of potential this season and will look to turn things around in their upcoming series. If they can improve their pitching staff and get more consistency from their offense, they can still contend in the SEC.
For now, the Sooners are riding high after their dominant doubleheader sweep, and their performance will be one for the history books as they continue to assert themselves as a powerhouse in college baseball.
