BATON ROUGE, La. – No. 8 Oklahoma took Saturday’s rubber match in come-frombehind fashion over LSU, 4-3, to win the series over the Tigers.

Down 3-1 entering the eighth, the Sooners (19-5, 4-2 SEC) rattled off three runs to take the lead and senior closer Jackson Cleveland (W, 2-0) put the Tigers (16-9, 2-4) down in order in the eighth and ninth to secure the win.

A leadoff walk to Alec Blair began the rally, followed by a Nolan Stevens single and Kyle Branch RBI single to bring the game to a one-run contest. Two batters later, Camden Johnson reached on an error, allowing pinch runner Dasan Harris to race home to tie the game. The next batter, Brendan Brock, laced a sacrifice fly to right field to put the Sooners up a run.

The game started with a 1-0 OU lead at the top of the first on a Camden Johnson solo home run, his third of the season. LSU quickly responded with a two-run shot in the home half of the first to take the lead.

Three scoreless innings ensued until LSU added another run via solo homer in the fifth, what would be their final run of the game.

Cleveland earned his second win of the season out of the bullpen to go with four saves on the year. The senior fanned one in 2.1 innings of scoreless, hitless ball. OU starting left-handed pitcher Cord Rager went 4.1 innings, surrendering three runs on two hits with four strikeouts and four walks. Other relief pitchers Gavyn Jones (0.2 IP) and Kadyn Leon (1.2) held down the Tiger offense, surrendering no runs on a combined two hits and two walks.

Pitchers of Record

Win: Jackson Cleveland (2-0) Loss: Gavin Guidry (3-3)

Statistical Snapshot

Kyle Branch | 2-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 R

Camden Johnson | 2-for-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R Nolan Stevens | 2-for-4, 1 RBI, 1 R Cord Rager | 4.1 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 4 K

Jackson Cleveland | 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K

Notes

OU improved to 19-5 on the season, 4-2 in SEC play and 2-0 in SEC series with the win.

The win was OU’s ninth comeback win of the season. OU doubled up the Tigers in the hit column, 8-4. The Sooners left a season-high 14 runners on base in the game.

The Sooners had one extra-base hit on the day, marking the 22nd of 24 games with an extra-base knock.

OU tied a season high with another two double plays on the day. The Sooners did not commit an error on defense for the second straight game and ninth time this season. OU had two double plays in each of three games this weekend.

The Sooner pitching staff tied a season-low with five strikeouts on the day.

Jackson Cleveland moved to an undefeated 2-0 on the year with the relief win. The senior also has a teamhigh four saves. Camden Johnson hit his third home run of the season in the first inning and first since Feb. 28.

Up Next

OU takes the midweek off and next plays No. 2 Texas in Austin for the third weekend of SEC play. The series begins with a 7 p.m. CT first pitch on Thursday night. All three games of the series can be seen on SEC Network.

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