Jake Bennett, Blake Robertson open up about the benefit of a quick turnaround in CWS

Oklahoma is being forced to put their 10-3 loss to Ole Miss in Game 1 of the College World Series Final behind them in quick fashion. They’re set to take the field for Game 2 just 16 hours following the conclusion of Game 1’s brutal beating, but some of the Sooners’ stars believe the quick turnaround will actually help in favor of Oklahoma.

“Well, we’ve been doing it all year,” infielder Blake Robertson explained. “Friday, Saturday, Sunday is usually how it’s set up. I don’t think off days really impacted us other than just giving us more rest. We’re used to bouncing back from either losing on Friday or Saturday and playing the next morning, so I think we’ll be just fine.”

LHP Jake Bennett, who earned the start on the mound for the Sooners in Game 1, tossed 106 total pitches Saturday while tallying 75 called strikes. He allowed seven hits and three earned runs (four total), though struck out 10 Ole Miss batters during 6.1 innings pitched.

“I mean, I agree with Blake again,” Bennett said after the loss. “I mean, we’re used to doing it, but I mean, just — we’re going to get back out there ready to play. That’s about it.”

Unfortunately for Bennett, his College World Series on-field production is likely finished after his lofty pitch count. He’ll be forced to sit in the dugout for Game 2 and likely for Game 3 (if necessary) as well.

For Robertson, he’ll need to be on his A-game at first base and at the plate. His Saturday performance (1-4, struck out once with a RBI) in the box won’t suffice if Oklahoma wants to force the all-important Game 3 and ultimately win their first national championship in 28 seasons.

As a team, Oklahoma cashed in on just 15 percent (5-32) of their attempts at the plate and drew four walks. In fact, the Sooners were struck out 47 percent (15-32) of the time.

Impressively, when Jack Doughtery (5.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 6 K) was relieved in the sixth inning, RHP Mason Nichols pitched two of the most efficient innings of the CWS, striking out five of the seven batters he faced while walking just one and allowing no hits.

If the Sooners want to extend their season to Monday, their bats can’t stall like Saturday – if they do, the Ole Miss Rebels will hoist the NCAA Championship for the first time in program history come Sunday evening.

First pitch of Game 2 is slated for 3 p.m. ET live on ESPN.