Cade Horton reveals TJ McCants message following Oklahoma CWS title loss

Losing is never easy. Losing in the national championship is a punch to the gut unmatched by almost any other emotional feeling. Oklahoma baseball is having to endure that pain right now as Ole Miss celebrates their 2022 College World Series title over the Sooners.

Sooners pitcher Cade Horton was especially distraught after his team’s final game. The freshman pitched his heart out en route to a CWS-record 13 strikeouts in one game — in Game 2. But his magic at the mound went to waste as Oklahoma couldn’t put enough bats on balls to take control while Horton was dealing.

However, after the game and in wake of Ole Miss dog piles and wine bottles, a few Rebels sauntered over to Horton to tip their respect and offer condolences after the emotional finish to the season for both teams. After making his way off the field, Horton was asked what the Ole Miss guys — player TJ McCants and assistant coach Carl Lafferty — said to him. Here was his response:

“They just told me good job, and they said I did a hell of a job. I have a lot of respect for those guys, and they did a great job.”

Even as a freshman in possibly the toughest moment of his sports career, Horton remained a good sport. Credit too to Lafferty and McCants for taking time out of their celebration to congratulate Horton on his great individual performance.

Skip Johnson reveals message to team following College World Series loss

OU skipper Skip Johnson has seen his fair share of near-successes, brutal failures and glorious victories. He’s got a little more perspective than his young players. After the final game, though, he shared some thoughts on how his team ought to look back at the season and the wild run that capped it off.

Here were Johnson’s comments following Oklahoma’s title-clinching loss to Ole Miss:

“First thing is you can accomplish anything you put your mind to it. You can be anybody you want to be, you put your mind to it. Secondly, the game doesn’t care how you feel. That’s why the details of the game are so important, and you’ve got to keep fighting for every inch that you get in baseball. You’ve got to continue to work.

“You did a great job. I love you. Really proud of you. Really proud of the coaches. What they did and what they accomplished was incredible. We’ve got to continue to grow as a team. We’ve got to — I’m just happy in that sense. Mad, pissed off about losing. I’m not happy about that.”

Losing a title is never easy. But congrats to the Sooners baseball squad on a heck of a run.