OU baseball: Overton, clutch hitting lift Sooners to series victory

File Photo

Junior pitcher Dillon Overton tosses another strike during the Sooners game against Dallas Baptist on Wednesday evening.

The No. 23 Oklahoma baseball team claimed its series with Northwestern State following Saturday’s 7-2 victory at L. Dale Mitchell Park.

Key Stat: 7 — Yeah, it does represent OU’s run total from Saturday’s game, but it signifies a deeper run stat. The Sooners (16-4) scored all seven of their runs with two outs, including a solo home run by senior third baseman Garrett Carey to get the bats going in the sixth inning. OU struggled Friday night scoring with two outs, and it has been one of the team’s themes throughout the season.

Key Player: Junior pitcher Dillon Overton — After being demoted to the Saturday starter — something he said does not bother him — Overton tossed 7 1/3 innings of six-hit ball to earn his fifth victory of the short season. He allowed two runs — both in the seventh inning — and struck out five batters. The lefty could have gone the distance — he was limited to 81 pitches because a blister on his middle throwing finger popped — and he said that was the first time one of his starts was cut short because of that kind of health issue.

Hit Streak Watch: Junior designated hitter Matt Oberste now holds sole possession of third place on OU’s all-time hit streak list thanks to a 2-for-4 performance Saturday. The streak, which now sits at 23 games, continued because of a leadoff single to left in the bottom of the second. The program record is at 27 games.

What it means: The Sooners won the series, which is always their goal. Winning the first two games now opens the door to a sweep and helps build momentum with conference play starting in six days.

What’s next for the Sooners: OU will look to complete the sweep at 1 p.m. Sunday at L. Dale Mitchell Park.

Jono Greco

Jono Greco, journalism graduate student, is the sports editor for the The Daily. This is his seventh semester on staff, previously working on the sports desk as the assistant editor and as the football and baseball beat reporter, as well as multiple other sports beats. He also served as copy chief during the Fall 2012 semester.

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