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Oklahoma

Sooners eliminated, ugly 6-1 loss

Eddie On3by:Eddie Radosevich•05/23/25
Syndication: Tuscaloosa News
May 21, 2025; Hoover, AL, USA; A hard-hit ball evades Oklahoma third baseman Dawson Willis (5) during the game with Georgia in the second round of the SEC Baseball Tournament at the Hoover Met.

Oklahoma’s run at the SEC Tournament came to an end in an offensive-less, error-filled 6-1 loss to Vanderbilt at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium. 

And while Oklahoma leaves Hoover with more wins (2) than losses (1), Thursday night’s quarterfinal setback was frustratingly a reminder of what has plagued this team of late. And what will likely spell its season when its all said and done. 

Oklahoma defensive woes reared its ugly head

It’s hard to figure.

Oklahoma led the SEC in double-plays this season. They turned five during its three game stay in Hoover. But you’d be hard pressed to find someone that would testify Oklahom is a good team defensively. They ranked 12th in the SEC in fielding heading into this week’s postseason tournament. 

It was the fifth time *this season* Oklahoma committed three errors in a game. And unfortunately I must also inform you they’ve committed multiple errors in a game ten times this season. We’re just hoping to illustrate a story here.  

Sooners starter Cade Crossland worked around a Dawson Willis throwing error in the second. But couldn’t meet the same fate one inning later when Brayden Horton dropped a routine pop up on the infield. Like striking a match to gasoline. En fuego. 

After an RBI ground out opened the scoring, RJ Austin and Riley Nelson each followed with doubles and it was 4-0 Vandy Boys after three. 

Which is a problem. Even with six more opportunities at the plate. Scoring five runs is hard to come by for this Oklahoma offense right now. Five runs seemingly feels like a million runs. 

There might be holes in the bats

Thursday night was the second time in the last week Oklahoma finished with more errors (3) than hits (2). Jaxon Willits led off the second inning with a single into centerfield. Easton Carmichael singled with two outs in the fifth. 

Even more worrisome on was the Sooners inability to put the ball in play. Every hitter Oklahoma sent to the plate struck out at least once. Commodores starter DJ Thompson was borderline unhittable, striking out 11 over five innings of work. In total Vandy pitching finished the night with 17 strikeouts – an SEC Tournament record. 

There’s not a lot of teams across this country at any level. You pick it. Little League, USSSA, National Baseball Congress and all the way up to the bigs that will find ways to win while committing multiple errors and striking out 17 times. 

Which makes the missed opportunities in the early innings even more frustrating. Oklahoma stranded 10 on base. 

Scott Mudler and Jason Walk were stranded in scoring position in the second when Kyle Branch and Brayden Horton struck out in back to back plate appearances. 

After giving up the four spot in the bottom of the third, they opened the fourth with a pair in scoring position and no outs, only to get a single run. 

They left the bases loaded in the eighth. 

The Sooners finished the night 1-for-10 with two outs. 2-for-29 at the plate overall. 

And now they wait until Monday’s NCAA Tournament announcement. They’ll be headed on the road there’s no doubts about that.

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