Sooners trying to fix Saturday woes

of Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory School in Hollywood before signing with Clemson.

Fast forward four years and UCF enters this fall with a dire need at cornerback after the departure of four starters in its secondary.

However, when Baker made his intent to change schools as a graduate transfer public this offseason, Oklahoma State cornerbacks coach

was among the first to reach out. The more Baker learned about the Cowboys, the more he liked, and on Tuesday night, he committed to play for OSU next fall.

In a Wednesday phone interview with team sideline reporter on Triple Play Radio, Baker compared the Cowboys’ rise to that of his former team.

In Baker’s first two years at Clemson, the program won double-digit games each season. But it fell short of ACC supremacy with losses to Florida State. The tide shifted in 2015, though, as Clemson rolled past the Seminoles on its path to the national title game.

“In 2015, I had a big part on the defense, I played in the national championship,” Baker said. “I feel like I know what it takes. … If Oklahoma State can get over that hump and beat Oklahoma, I think that the sky is the limit. I think that the coaching staff and the guys that are there have done a good job of positioning the program to do that.

“I’ve been in big games. I’ve helped the team win big games, beat Oklahoma twice. I’m not saying I’m the missing piece or anything of that nature, but I feel I can bring (something) to the table.”

Quotable

OSU quarterback

on his summer plans following the completion of spring ball: “Nothing exotic, no international trips this year. I’m going to go home in May, hang out with my brother and work out, throw the ball.”

Saturdays have been a problem for Oklahoma recently.

Three of the Sooners’ four Big 12 losses have come on Saturday, with OU losing by a combined score of 25-7.

“I think it’s purely coincidental,” Sooners coach

said. “I love how we start and I love how we finish, especially under pressure. I would love to figure out the Saturday piece, to come into a Sunday with a new goal with trying to sweep people.”

In the first two series, Hughes went with junior right-hander in Saturday games. Perez didn’t make it to the sixth inning in either start.

Perez hasn’t pitched since the April 1 loss to Texas Tech.

Last week, reentered the rotation after suffering from some inflammation in his pitching arm and Hughes inserted him into the Saturday slot.

Irvin didn’t make it out of the fourth inning, giving up two runs and four hits before being lifted as he eases his way back into the swing of things.

Cowboys’ Simpson finding his stroke

Power was calling card.

As a senior at Edmond Memorial High, Simpson batted .452 with 10 homers, 13 doubles, seven triples and 52 RBIs, leading the Bulldogs to the Class 6A state tournament.

The Cowboys counted on his power supply, too, plugging him into the middle of the order as a freshman to start the season a year ago. What they didn’t count on was a wrist injury that cost Simpson his power and some needed thump from the left side of the plate.

Finally, however, Simpson feels good again. And it shows.

The sophomore catcher and designated hitter has drilled five home runs with 15 RBIs in Big 12 play, recharging his career.

“This is definitely the best I’ve felt since I started playing in the spring last year,” Simpson said. “I got banged up the second weekend of the year and I didn’t feel healthy the rest of the year.

“Now, luckily, with good trainers and everything, I’m getting back to feeling about as I good as I did in high school.”

And there’s reason to believe he’s just getting started. Not only did Simpson require wrist surgery last offseason, he needed a follow-up surgery in the fall, keeping him out of fall drills.

“To his credit, this kid has stayed positive through almost a year-long battle with a wrist injury and found the strength in his hand again,” said Cowboys coach

“And now he’s getting his rhythm back at the plate. He’s getting his rhythm back catching. And he’s a force.

“Super proud of him. Happy for him. And appreciate his glass-isalways-half-full attitude.”

Sooners heading to Michigan

Oklahoma steps away from conference play this weekend with a ThursdaySaturday series against Michigan.

The Wolverines are 26-7, winning 10 of their last 11 games after dropping their first two Big Ten contests of the year.

Michigan is doing it primarily on the offensive side, where it’s hitting .292 as a team including a .346 mark by

Thomas is plenty dangerous when he gets on base, with 18 stolen bases. The Wolverines are third in the country with 75 stolen bases as a team.

Opponents have been successful on 9 of 14 stolen-base attempts against the Sooners this season.