Sooners hope to take flight after win vs. Air Force
NORMAN — Dakota Harris waited for a chance to strike.
After losing two of three games in its season-opening series against Cal Baptist over the weekend, OU had a chance to redeem itself Monday when it hosted Air Force.
But it had to earn it. Tied 6-6 in the bottom of the eighth inning, the Sooners placed runners on the corners with two outs. At the plate was Harris, who battled to a 2-2 count.
Air Force's Zach Peters then sent a fastball in the direction of Harris, and he smacked it into right field. Two runs came home, sealing OU's 8-6 win.
It was a much-needed victory for the Sooners (2-2), who have some momentum as they prepare for a game against Abilene Christian at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Arlington, Texas.
“We learned a lot today about who we are,” OU head coach Skip Johnson said after the win.
Here is a look back at OU's first week of action.
Top player this week
Dakota Harris, SS: Harris shined in his first few games with OU. The Polk State transfer batted .333 and recorded six RBIs to go along with one home run in four games. A former two-time Suncoast Conference Defensive Player of the Year winner, Harris also recorded five putouts and nine assists with a perfect fielding percentage. OU is tasked with replacing star Peyton Graham at shortstop this season, but Harris appears to be a suitable successor.
Stat to know
3: OU allowed its opponents to score first in three of its four games. The Sooners only overcame one of those early deficits.
Kale Davis settles in, delivers strong debut
Kale Davis needed to shake it off. The Oklahoma State transfer and former Westmoore star started on the mound for OU's season opener against Cal Baptist on Friday, and he got into some early trouble. Davis hit the first batter he faced, and that player scored a few at-bats later via a sacrifice fly.
But Davis responded by recording a 1-2-3 inning in the second frame. His final victim was Josh Paino, who got caught looking on a sinking fastball that found the bottom of the zone for a strikeout.
Davis never looked back. He allowed just two hits and one run in five innings pitched, and he struck out five batters to help OU earn a 5-2 win.
It was a strong debut for Davis, who is expected to be the Sooners' top pitcher this season. The redshirt junior only made two starts in 26 appearances for OSU last season, but he'll get every opportunity to shine with OU.
OU's outfield remains a strength this season
OU trailed by one run in the second inning of Saturday's contest when Cal Baptist's Julian Alvarez sent a shot into right field.
The ball appeared to find an open landing spot, but Bryce Madron made a back-handed catch as he slid across the floor.
It didn't take long for the umpires to signal that the play was under review, but there was no doubt in Madron's mind. The junior right fielder from Blanchard held his glove high in the air after making the catch and confidently nodded his head as he began to jog off the field.
Sure enough, the umpires confirmed the catch.
OU ultimately suffered a 5-2 loss, but Madron showed an ability to make plays on both offense and defense.
Despite only recording a .154 batting average in the Sooners' first four games, the Cowley College transfer finished with four runs and one home run.
Madron isn't the only contributor in OU's outfield. The Sooners also have redshirt junior Kendall Pettis and sophomore John Spikerman, who was named to the 2023 preseason All-Big 12 Team.