Texas Dominates OU Baseball in Red River Rivalry Opener

The eighth-ranked Oklahoma Sooners were blanked 14-0 by No. 2 Texas in seven innings Thursday night in Austin. The Red River Rivalry opener saw Texas dominate OU baseball. The game ended early on the run rule.

Scoring and momentum

Texas struck for four runs in the first inning. The Longhorns posted multiple-run innings in four of six offensive frames. The attack produced a run-rule win.

Texas entered the game 21-4 overall and 5-2 in conference play. Oklahoma fell to 19-6 and 4-3 in conference play. The loss was the Sooners’ second defeat by double digits this season.

Pitching and bullpen

OU starter RHP LJ Mercurius took the loss and fell to 5-2. He allowed a season-high seven runs and gave up 10 hits. Mercurius issued three walks and recorded one strikeout.

Oklahoma used five relievers after Mercurius departed. Reid Hensley, Nate Smithburg and Jaden Barfield each logged one strikeout. Texas’ offensive output marked the second-most runs surrendered all year by the Sooners.

Oklahoma offense

OU managed six hits in the game. Each hit came from a different Sooners batter. The team was shut out for the second time this season via the run rule.

Game details and coverage

The game was played Thursday, March 26, with first pitch at 7 p.m. CT in Austin, Texas. Broadcast coverage aired on SEC Network. Streaming was available on ESPN+.

Radio listeners heard Toby Rowland on The Ref, 99.3 FM and 1400 AM. Filmogaz.com provided postgame updates and additional coverage.