Oklahoma survives behind Braxton Douthit complete game

Live to see another day. That’s the name of the game for Oklahoma living life in the loser’s bracket.

The Sooners extended its season — for at least another 24 hours– with a 10-1 win over Army. John Spikerman, Bryce Madron, Anthony Mackenzie and Wallace Clark each collected two hits a piece but it was starter Braxton Douthit who saved his best effort with the Sooners season on the line. Throwing his first career complete game.

A perfect recipe for Skip Johnson’s club who now await the loser of Saturday night’s winner bracket contest between East Carolina and regional host Virginia.

“Good win for us. Braxton set the tone early in the game and us scoring in the first inning kind of settled him down and he got into a rhythm,” said Skip Johnson.

“Kept them off-balance. Our outfield and defense played extremely well. And us separating the game in the fifth inning really settled him down going pitch to pitch.”

John Spikerman continued set the tone for Oklahoma at the top of the line-up scoring the Sooners first two runs of the game in the first and third innings. He’s now hit safely in 12-consecutive games.

Kendall Pettis snapped an 0-for-17 skid in the fifth when he singled home Spikerman and Rocco Garza-Gongora. Bryce Madron followed with a bases clearing triple to extend the Sooners lead to 7-0.

Easton Carmichael added a two run home run in the eighth.

A timely response after the disappointment of Friday night’s opener.

“I can tell you this. Army was going to be ready to play. Reggie (Willits) said it best during our advance meeting. If you don’t think Army was not going to be ready to play you’re a failure. Look at what they do everyday. We’ve got to be ready and just as mentally prepared as they are. I thought our players responded very well from it,” said Johnson.

DOUTHIT SAVES BEST FOR LAST

The back half of Braxton Douthit’s season has been forgettable. In three starts prior to Saturday’s elimination game the senior right-hander had thrown only eight combined innings allowing 14 runs and walking eight. Control has been an issue.

Saturday he walked a batter in each of the first three innings but worked around it trusting his defense to make some plays behind him. A double-play in the first. Pair of strikeouts and ground out in the second. And a Diego Muniz pickoff of a runner at first in the third.

Much needed pick-me-ups before finding a rhythm he carried the rest of the way.

“Yeah it was kind of a reoccurring event through the second half of the season,” said Douthit on his control issues over the last month. “I just needed to flush it and do it for the team right there. Step up and let the guys behind me make plays.”

A season saving kind of performance on the scoreboard as well in the bullpen if Oklahoma wants to make the long weekend comeback and win the Charlottesville Regional.

“It was really good. It was huge for him. I think he threw 103 pitches, nine innings which was good. Helped our bullpen. Helped the whole thing. Gives those guys that threw yesterday another day off. And still have a bullpen loaded for two games tomorrow,” said Johnson.

James Hitt will likely be tabbed as Sunday morning’s starter versus the ECU/Virginia loser.

CLARK’S DAY OF FIRSTS

When Oklahoma posted its starting lineup prior to the start of Saturday’s elimination game there was one name missing. Jackson Nicklaus. His troubles in the field over the last few weeks have been costly.

“Yeah it was more about giving Jackson a day off starting Wallace (Clark) at second. Give him a day off and give him a day to get his mind set,” said Johnson.

Making his first career start at second base in place of Nicklaus, Wallace Clark made the most of it going 2-for-3 with an RBI and his first career home run in the seventh that extend the Sooners lead to 7-0.

“I thought Wally had a great day. He’s going to be able to play anywhere on the infield. That’s one thing we kind of pride ourselves on with those infielders,” said Johnson.

As for Nicklaus who has been a mainstay on the right side of the infield?

“I think the biggest difference is giving him a day off. Let him get a mental rest. And hell, he might even try harder. I think sitting the bench is always good for your motivation.”

WHAT’S NEXT

Oklahoma now awaits the East Carolina-Virginia winner bracket loser for another brunch time start on Sunday morning at 11 a.m.