{"id":9699,"date":"2025-04-30T12:05:52","date_gmt":"2025-04-30T12:05:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/asport.com.ng\/?p=9699"},"modified":"2025-04-30T12:05:52","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T12:05:52","slug":"the-oklahoma-sooners-opened-up-a-two-game-lead-in-the-win-column-with-their-sweep-of-the-texas-longhorns-and-in-the-process-eliminated-their-red-river-rivals-from-the-conference-title-picture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/asport.com.ng\/?p=9699","title":{"rendered":"The Oklahoma Sooners opened up a two-game lead in the win column with their sweep of the Texas Longhorns and, in the process, eliminated their Red River rivals from the conference title picture."},"content":{"rendered":"

Oklahoma Sooners Take Command of Big 12 Race with Sweep of Texas, Eliminating Longhorns from Title Contention<\/strong><\/h1>\n

The Oklahoma Sooners have officially staked their claim as the team to beat in the Big 12. With a resounding three-game sweep of their archrival Texas Longhorns over the weekend, the Sooners not only opened up a two-game lead in the conference standings but also drove a final nail into the Longhorns’ hopes of capturing the Big 12 regular-season title.<\/p>\n

The Red River Rivalry has long been one of the most heated in college athletics, but this past weekend at L. Dale Mitchell Park in Norman, Oklahoma, it was one-sided. The Sooners dominated every phase of the game\u2014hitting, pitching, and defense\u2014en route to a statement sweep that sent a message to the rest of the conference and the nation. For Texas, the loss was more than just a rivalry defeat. It was a mathematical elimination from the Big 12 title race and a harsh reminder of a season that hasn’t lived up to expectations.<\/p>\n

The Red River Rivalry always carries weight, regardless of the sport. But in baseball, it has taken on added importance in recent years as both programs have remained consistent threats in the Big 12 and on the national scene. Coming into the series, Oklahoma held a one-game lead in the win column and had the opportunity to put distance between themselves and Texas.<\/p>\n

They did just that\u2014and then some.<\/p>\n

In Game 1, Oklahoma set the tone with an 8-2 victory. Junior right-hander Braden Davis delivered a stellar outing, going seven strong innings while allowing just two runs. The offense backed him up early, jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the second inning thanks to a two-run homer from catcher Easton Carmichael and a pair of RBI doubles from Bryce Madron and Kendall Pettis.<\/p>\n

Texas, unable to recover from the early blow, struggled to find rhythm against Davis’ mix of fastballs and breaking pitches. Longhorns ace Lebarron Johnson Jr., normally a reliable arm, was tagged for five earned runs and failed to get out of the fifth inning.<\/p>\n

Game 2 saw even more domination from the Sooners. In a 10-4 rout, the Oklahoma bats came alive. Madron, one of the team\u2019s leaders, went 4-for-5 with three RBIs, including a towering two-run blast in the seventh that turned a three-run lead into a comfortable five-run cushion. Freshman Jaxon Willits added three hits of his own, continuing a breakout season that has made him one of the most exciting young players in the Big 12.<\/p>\n

Texas\u2019 bullpen, which has been shaky all season, again faltered. Three relievers combined to allow six earned runs over the final four innings as Oklahoma poured it on in front of a raucous home crowd.<\/p>\n

But it was Game 3 that truly sealed Texas\u2019 fate. With the series already in hand, Oklahoma showed no signs of letting up. The Sooners completed the sweep with a gritty 5-3 win in front of a sold-out Sunday crowd, securing not just bragging rights, but also a crucial edge in the conference standings. Redshirt sophomore Carter Campbell pitched 6.1 strong innings, while closer Aaron Calhoun recorded his 10th save of the season.<\/p>\n

With the win, Oklahoma moved to 16-5 in Big 12 play. Texas dropped to 13-8, three games back with only three conference games remaining. Due to tie-breaking scenarios and head-to-head results, the Longhorns are now officially out of contention for the regular-season crown.<\/p>\n

The sweep marked another major milestone in head coach Skip Johnson\u2019s impressive tenure in Norman. Johnson, who spent a decade on the Texas staff before taking over at Oklahoma in 2018, has led a steady climb for the Sooners. The 2022 College World Series run showed what the program is capable of, and the 2024-25 season is shaping up as a return to that elite level.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve talked about building a culture that competes every pitch, every inning, every game,\u201d Johnson said after the series finale. \u201cThis weekend, we did that. And to do it against Texas makes it even more special.\u201d<\/p>\n

Indeed, the sweep was personal for Johnson, who still has deep ties in Austin. But more importantly, it was a sign of just how far the Sooners have come under his leadership. Oklahoma now ranks top 10 nationally in runs scored, team ERA, and fielding percentage\u2014an all-around dominance that mirrors the team\u2019s approach.<\/p>\n

Johnson has emphasized player development and toughness, and it\u2019s paying off in spades. Veteran leaders like Madron and Carmichael have bought in, while younger players such as Willits, Elijah Baez, and Darnell Parker Jr. are emerging as foundational pieces for the future.<\/p>\n

On the other side of the rivalry, Texas is in soul-searching mode. The Longhorns came into the season with high expectations, fueled by a strong core of returners and one of the best recruiting classes in the country. But inconsistency, especially on the mound, has plagued them throughout conference play.<\/p>\n

Head coach David Pierce, now in his eighth season at the helm, acknowledged the disappointment after Sunday\u2019s loss.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not where we wanted to be,\u201d Pierce said. \u201cWe\u2019ve had opportunities to take control of games and series, and we just haven\u2019t done it. Oklahoma played better baseball, plain and simple.\u201d<\/p>\n

Texas still boasts a powerful offense, with slugger Jared Thomas and outfielder Porter Brown continuing to produce. But pitching depth and defensive miscues have cost them dearly. The Longhorns committed five errors over the three-game set and allowed a staggering 11 two-out RBIs.<\/p>\n

The sweep marked the second time this season that Texas has been swept in conference play, the first coming at the hands of Oklahoma State. Now, with the regular-season title out of reach, their focus will shift toward positioning for the Big 12 Tournament and hoping to earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.<\/p>\n

For a program with national title aspirations, it\u2019s a sobering fall from grace.<\/p>\n

Several Sooners stood out during the weekend, but a few performances deserve special mention:<\/p>\n