Sooners baseball continues surge with 3-1 win

It wasn’t so much the final outcome for Sooners baseball. Don’t get it sideways. Oklahoma’s surge continued with a 3-1 win on Tuesday night at L. Dale Mitchell Ballpark, extending its winning streak to a season-long eight games.

It was the *how* Oklahoma did it on Tuesday night, leaning on its pitching staff. Yes, you read that right. Things are trending in the right direction for the Sooners staff heading into this weekend’s mega-series against Texas. 

“We’ve done a really good job of separating balls from strikes,” said Oklahoma head coach Skip Johnson. “We’re going to have to learn how to win games like that because there’s going to be some times where we’re not going to get any hits like that. We’ve got to be able to try and put up goose-eggs. Every pitch matters. Every out matters. We’re going to have to learn that, and it was good to learn that tonight with a good team.” 

Oklahoma used seven different pitchers Tuesday with starter Brendan Girton and Carter Campbell shouldering the load for two innings apiece. Will Carsten, Reid Hensley, Carson Atwood, Ryan Lambert and Malachi Witherspoon each threw an inning each. 

“I think they’re just attacking the strikezone and getting more comfortable in their roles. I’ve always said it, but relievers are so important in baseball,” said Johnson. “You keep throwing them out there and keep trying to prod them along and give them confidence. You saw that tonight with (Ryan) Lambert. His confidence was really high.” 

Reigning Big 12 Player of the Week Bryce Madron opened the scoring in the third with an RBI double. Easton Carmichael followed with a two run single to make it 3-0 and that’s all Oklahoma would need. 

Carter Campbell earned his second victory of the season. 

SPIKERMAN, NICKLAUS RETURN TO THE LINEUP

There’s no cause for concern. Breathe a little. John Spikerman returned to the Oklahoma starting lineup on Tuesday night for the first time since March 16 and exited after a plate appearance in the sixth. But that was after he crashed into the centerfield wall in the fifth. 

“That didn’t bother him at all. We were really fortunate enough on Saturday to put him in for the last three innings,” said Johnson. “Don’t have the luxury to send him down to the minor leagues. We’ll see if those five innings tax him any. Like tomorrow he probably won’t do a whole lot just to get him ready for Friday.” 

A slow but steady return in full for the homestretch of the regular season. Spikerman went 1-for-2 with a run scored. 

Jackson Nicklaus returned to the lineup in the designated hitter role after missing the Sooners last four games with a hamstring injury. He went 0-for-3. 

LAMBERT ELECTRIC IN THE SEVENTH 

Five times. That’s how many pitches Ryan Lambert threw in the seventh inning that clocked over 100 miles per hour. His hardest pitch clocking in at 102 mph. Most importantly? He allowed just a two-out double during his lone inning of work. 

There’s a sense of confidence with Lambert on the bump these days.

“It’s good if he throws strikes,” joked Johnson. “His capability has grown. That’s a part of our program that we talk about. I don’t really like the word development. I like the word growth. Think he’s growing up. We’re seeing him mature over time.” 

A special talent that Skip Johnson’s club will need when postseason play comes knocking. And an added bonus to the backend of games that’s starting to become more picture clear.