Oklahoma (11-0) swept a three-game series against CSUN (2-7) 9-0, 10-2 and 3-2 this weekend at L. Dale Mitchell Park.
The win on Sunday marks the first time the Sooners have started 11-0 since 1984.
Here are three takeaways from the Sooners’ weekend:
Offense shows up
In the first two games of the series, OU put up early runs against the matadors, allowing for the starting pitching team to settle in and keep throwing scoreless innings.
The Sooners were able to put a run across the board in the first inning during the first two games of the series, and they never looked back. Sophomore infielder/outfielder Jason Walk started the party in the first game with a leadoff home run – his first home run of the year – that carried momentum across the weekend, where he put up 3 hits in 6 at-bats and drove in three runs
LEADOFF J‼️J Walk blasts his first of the year into Section 405! pic.twitter.com/KojvMrJDJB
— Oklahoma Baseball (@OU_Baseball) February 28, 2025
Other offensive contributors to have a big weekend include junior catcher Easton Carmichael and junior infielder Dawson Willis. Carmichael racked up four hits and two walks across all three games, including two extra-base hits and three runs batted in. Willis had the game-changing hit in the series finale when he tied the game in the seventh inning on an RBI double, and would eventually score the go-ahead run on a fielder’s choice.
“It felt great to be able to come through for the team,” Willis said after Sunday’s game. “And we ended up getting the (win) so that made it even better.”
Oklahoma racked up 30 hits across all three games, and went 11 of 31 (.355) with runners in scoring position.
Bullpen remains lockdown
With all of the attention regarding Oklahoma’s pitching staff going to the top of the rotation, OU’s bullpen has stepped up every time head coach Skip Johnson has called upon them so far this season.
Senior left-handed pitcher James Hitt continued his strong start to the season, throwing two scoreless innings on Friday and Saturday while only allowing one baserunner across both outings. Hitt’s earned run average now stands at 1.17 through the first 11 games.
Johnson was able to get freshmen Michael Catalano, Jaden Barfield and Jackson Kircher some action on Saturday, and they combined to give up one run in three innings. Kircher made his first appearance of the season in the ninth inning, and struck out the side in order to finish the game.
On Sunday, sophomore right-handed pitcher Jason Bodin – who gave up five hits and three runs in his last outing against Texas Southern – gave the Sooners a quality 1.2 innings out of the bullpen on Sunday and gave up no runs while getting the win in the series finale.
Senior right-handed pitcher Dylan Crooks finished off the series by going two innings and striking out two. CSUN had runners on second and third with one out in the ninth on Sunday, but Crooks kept the Matadors scoreless as the Sooners held on for their 11th straight win.
⛽️ @Dylan_Crooks7 things M8 | OU 3, CSUN 2 pic.twitter.com/ZpS7WPWKAN
— Oklahoma Baseball (@OU_Baseball) March 2, 2025
Growing atmosphere
This weekend saw flashes of what Oklahoma is trying to build through fan experience, and hopes it can create a solid home-field advantage in Norman this season.
Saturday saw the largest crowd of the year – 3,425 – and a combined 8,100 fans were out at L. Dale Mitchell Park this weekend.
all this energy 🔋shoutout @OUBoomSquad! pic.twitter.com/sED3V0Vnej
— Oklahoma Baseball (@OU_Baseball) March 1, 2025
Sooner Nation showing out 🤩 pic.twitter.com/wb9i7drHZP
— Oklahoma Baseball (@OU_Baseball) March 1, 2025
“My vision is the whole thing being packed and going crazy,” Johnson said after Friday’s game. “When I see (the students), it kind of puts tears in my eyes a little bit and I kind of get emotional.”
“I’m just buying my time here, and I can either leave a job vacancy or a legacy.”
Next, the Sooners will travel on the road to face Dallas Baptist (8-3) on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in Dallas, Texas on ESPN+.
This story was edited by Hannah Bryant.
