Stormin in Norman
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Oklahoma baseball: Sooners fall 11-1 in Bedlam series, regular-season finale

By Chip Rouse

Oklahoma outfielder Bryce Madron (12) hits a foul ball during the Bedlam baseball game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Oklahoma State Cowboys at L. Dale Mitchell Park in Norman, Okla., on Saturday, May 20, 2023.
Oklahoma outfielder Bryce Madron (12) hits a foul ball during the Bedlam baseball game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Oklahoma State Cowboys at L. Dale Mitchell Park in Norman, Okla., on Saturday, May 20, 2023. /
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Four singles in the first inning off of Oklahoma baseball starter James Hitt led to two Oklahoma State runs, and that proved to be all the Cowboys would need in a 11-1 victory and a Bedlam series win over OU in Norman on Saturday.

No. 24 Oklahoma State took two of three from the Sooners at L. Dale Mitchell Park over the weekend and three of the four games between the two in-state rivals during the 2023 season.

The Sooners (30-24, 11-13) were hoping to salvage the rubber game in the series and improve their chances of making it into the NCAA postseason, but that was not to be and now OU will probably have to win a couple of games in next week’s Big 12 Tournament and hope that is enough to earn a spot in the 64-team NCAA Tournament field.

Oklahoma never really got its offense started while Oklahoma State hammered five Sooner pitchers for 11 runs on 14 hits and for the third time in four games scored in double digits against their longtime rivals from Norman.

Bryce Madron and John Spikerman combined for four of the seven Sooner hits, collecting a pair of hits apiece.

Hitt lasted just two out into the third inning before turning it over to the Sooner bullpen. He gave up four runs on six hits and one walk while he was in the game and was charged with his first loss along with five wins. He was followed to the mound by five Oklahoma relievers.

Nolan Schubart and Chase Atkinson delivered three hits each for the Cowboys, including home runs in the seventh and ninth innings to finish off the Oklahoma State scoring. The pair, Schubart with five RBI and Atkinson with three, accounted for eight of the Cowboys’ 11 runs.

Senior right-hander Ben Abram started the game on the mound for Oklahoma State and got the win (7-2), going 5.0 innings, allowing just the one run on four Sooner hits. He struck out four and did not issue a free pass.

Oklahoma finished the regular season in seventh place in the Big 12 and will be the No. 7 seed in the Big 12 Tournament beginning on Wednesday in Arlington, Texas. The Sooners’ first-round opponent will be this same Oklahoma State team (37-16, 15-9), the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament.

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