Oklahoma Sooners

Big 12

Rapid Reaction: Sooners fall in title game

May, 27, 2012
5/27/12
4:53
PM CT
Oklahoma’s remarkable ride through the Big 12 baseball tournament ended in dramatic fashion Sunday, with Missouri coming out on top 8-7 to capture the title.

How the game was won: In the bottom of the ninth with two outs and two on, pinch-hitter Chase Simpson singled to right field. But before the ball reached the outfield, it touched OU’s Caleb Bushyhead foot as he headed from first to second, resulting in an automatic – and final – out. It wouldn’t have mattered anyway, as Erik Ross was easily thrown out trying to score from second.

Stat of the game: Matt Oberste hit a solo home run in the fourth inning, his fifth of the season. Four of those came in Bricktown, including three this week during the Big 12 tournament.

Player of the game: Steven Okert left the eighth inning with the bases loaded and nobody out. But left-handed reliever Jake Fisher minimized the damage by forcing a double play, then getting a strikeout as the Tigers came away with only one run. That one run proved to be the difference, but Missouri could have opened up a huge lead in the inning had it not been for Fisher.

Unsung hero of the game: After starter Damien Magnifico lasted only one-third of an inning, Dillon Overton came in and kept the Sooners in the game. Overton, who beat Oklahoma State in the Big 12 tournament opener, threw four 1/3 innings. He did give up three runs, but was able to get the game to Okert with the Sooners still in striking distance.

What it means: The question now is, did the Sooners do enough this week to play their way into a No. 2 regional seed? They likely did, and will enter regional play with a ton of momentum after such a successful tournament week.

Jake Trotter | email

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