University of Missouri
Oklahoma
Sooners Hand Tigers 3rd Straight Loss
5/7/2000 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 7, 2000
NORMAN, Okla. -- The 25th-ranked Oklahoma baseball team (34-18, 17-9 Big 12) held off a late rally by Missouri (29-20, 10-13 Big 12) to defeat the Tigers, 11-7, Sunday afternoon at L. Dale Mitchell Park on Senior Day. OU starting pitcher and Freshman All-America candidate Austin Mix improved to 10-1 on the season with the win to become the first Oklahoma freshman pitcher since Bobby Witt in 1984 to rack up 10 victories.
The Tigers tagged Mix for four runs in the top of the sixth inning to pull within a run of the Sooners at 8-7, before Oklahoma answered with a single run in the bottom of the seventh inning and two more in the eighth to put the game away. First baseman Rick Park (2-for-5) highlighted the afternoon for seven parting seniors, who were honored in a pre-game ceremony, by belting his 14th home run in the eighth inning to cap off the scoring for the Sooners. Fellow senior and All-America candidate Jeff Bajenaru led all Sooners with a 3-for-4 effort, including two doubles, with two runs scored and one RBI. Third baseman Jason Bartlett finished the game 3-for-3 at the plate with a run scored and two RBI to help pace Oklahoma offensively.
Third baseman Landon Brandes went 2-for-4 at the plate, while scoring two runs and driving in one, to lead the Tigers. Missouri starting pitcher Jon Harris (5-5) was charged with the loss after giving up seven earned runs before leaving the game in the fourth inning. He also committed three errors.
Mick Weiss had two hits, including one off the top of the wall in the fifth inning that at one point was ruled a home run but was later changed to a double. Dustin Barnes was 3-for-4.
The MU-OU concludes on Monday night. Junior lefty Mitch Kiler (2-1) will make his first start of the season for the Tigers.
