Sooners Top Alabama State In Ninth

News9.com

NORMAN, Oklahoma – It might not have been a prolific win, but it was still a big sigh of relief.

The Sooners used a run in the bottom of the ninth to top nonconference opponent Alabama State 2-1 on Saturday at Dale Mitchell Park.

It was a walkoff single for Hunter Lockwood, who was able to drive in Max White from second base to seal the game and clinch the series.

"Life is about timing," OU coach Sunny Golloway said. "Luckily our timing has still been pretty good."

The Sooners' other run came in the seventh inning as Jack Mayfield singled to reach base. After working his way over to third, Cody Reine brought him home with a fielder's choice to tie the game up, as OU had been trailing 1-0 at that point.

ASU's only run of the day came in the fourth inning, an unearned run off pitcher Jonathan Gray. The Sooners had three errors in the game.

Gray threw six innings, giving up six hits and one run to go with eight strikeouts. But Steven Okert got the win after throwing three scoreless, hitless innings.

Golloway said the pressure of pitching in close games seems to make Okert thrive.

"He pitched great. He's really adapted to that role (closer)," he said. "He likes coming in with the game on the line. And that's been good for us."

Alabama State starter T.J. Renda lasted 1.2 innings before apparently leaving the game with the injury. Ron Frost picked up the loss for the Hornets.

OU moves to 25-14 on the year while ASU fell to 16-25. The two teams will finish out their series at 1 p.m. Sunday in Norman.