Saturday Big 12 Baseball Six-Pack: Oklahoma Sweeps Texas While West Virginia Takes Down TCU
Is there anything better than cold beer and baseball? It’s a combination that is hard to beat during the season. No matter what kind of beer you drink (or how many), let’s take a look at some of the best action on the Big 12 baseball diamond from Saturday with a nice six pack.
Best Game
Kansas State at UC Irvine
I know Kansas State isn’t playing a conference series this weekend, but this matchup is still important. After taking game one on Friday night, the Wildcats had a chance to take the series on Saturday. UC Irvine got on the board first with a solo home run, but Kansas State quickly responded with two runs of their own thanks to Roberto Pena and Raphael Pelletier. Nick Goodwin and Brady Day joined the party with a pair of RBIs in the fifth inning as Kansas State took a two-run lead. The Anteaters didn’t go away because they would end up tying the game in the seventh inning.
Kansas State took the lead back in the eighth on a double play before Roberto Pena added an insurance run with his solo blast in the ninth inning. The Wildcats ended up taking the victory and the series on Saturday as they look to complete a sweep on Sunday afternoon.
Best Win
Oklahoma over #14 Texas
These two teams played a doubleheader on Saturday due to some potential weather issues on Sunday down in Austin. After winning game one on Friday, the Sooners had two opportunities on Saturday to take the series. However, they just needed the first one because they were all over Texas early by scoring eight out of their nine runs in the first three innings. That early push ended up being enough to take the second game and the series.
However, Oklahoma wasn’t done yet. They once again got off to a fast start. Kendall Pettis and John Spikerman got the scoring started before Bryce Madron hit a three-run bomb to give the Sooners a four-run lead.
Texas would creep back in the game late but in the end, Oklahoma would hold on to take game three and sweep the series. This was a huge upset considering the Sooners were in last place in the conference just a couple of days ago.
Worst Loss
Kansas
After losing on Friday, the Jayhawks were crushed by the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Saturday afternoon. They gave up 14 runs on 14 hits as Oklahoma State ran up the score. Just a couple of weeks ago, Kansas was within striking distance when it came to the Big 12 title race and now, they are falling behind.
Saturday MVP
Texas Tech C Dylan Maxey
In game one of Texas Tech’s doubleheader, Dylan Maxey was absolutely raking. He drove in his first pair of runs in the first inning before hitting another double in the sixth inning that brought in two more runs. Dylan would finish his day with a big two-run home run in the eighth inning to give him a six RBI game. His performance helped Texas Tech win the series against Baylor.
Pitcher of the Day
Kansas State RHP German Fajardo
There weren’t many great pitching performances on Saturday, but I thought German Fajardo did a nice job for Kansas State. He gave up an early two-run home run but really settled down after that. German pitched five full innings and gave up two runs while striking out five batters.
Best Home Run
West Virginia 2B Ellis Garcia
With the game tied at four in the sixth inning, Ellis Garcia hit a monster three-run blast that gave West Virginia a 7-4 lead over TCU. That home run ended up being the difference in this game as the Mountaineers went on to win and take the series against the Horned Frogs. With their win, they now sit in first place in the Big 12 baseball standings.
Full Scoreboard
Oklahoma: 9, #14 Texas: 6 (Game One)
Oklahoma: 6, #14 Texas: 4 (Game Two)
#16 Texas Tech: 14, Baylor: 9 (Game One)
Baylor: 6, #16 Texas Tech: 4 (Game Two)
West Virginia: 7, TCU: 4
Oklahoma State: 14, Kansas: 3
Kansas State: 6, UC Irvine: 4
