ROUND ROCK, Texas – The Karbach Round Rock Classic kicked off its three-day, round-robin tournament with the University of Oklahoma defeating the University of Minnesota 3-2 in a tightly contested game. Oklahoma entered the tournament with a 3-0 record after sweeping Lehigh University in their home opener the previous week, while Minnesota arrived with a 1-2 record following a tough opening series loss to the University of Houston.
The Golden Gophers got off to a fast start in the bottom of the first inning when senior Josh Fitzgerald, who led his team in every major hitting statistic last season, launched a solo home run to left field. However, Oklahoma’s junior pitcher Kyson Witherspoon quickly settled in and was almost perfect for the next seven innings. Witherspoon, a preseason SEC All-Conference second-team selection, struck out 12 of the 24 batters he faced, notching a new career high. The junior would allow three hits, one run, and zero walks over seven innings of work.
Oklahoma’s offense struggled to get going early but finally broke through in the fourth inning. Junior Trey Gambill was hit by a pitch to start the rally and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by junior Dawson Willis. Freshman Kyle Branch, who also made two incredible defensive plays at second, delivered a single to left field that scored Gambill and tied the game at 1-1. The Sooners added another run in the fifth inning when sophomore Sam Christiansen singled to left center, driving in sophomore Jason Walk, who doubled earlier in the inning. Oklahoma extended their lead to 3-1 in the eighth inning after a balk allowed Jaxon Willits to score from third.
On the mound for Minnesota, sophomore Cole Selvig, a transfer from the University of Texas, turned in a solid performance despite the chilly conditions. Selvig pitched four and two-thirds innings, striking out seven while allowing three walks and two runs. Sophomore Will Whelan relieved Selvig in the fifth inning, seemingly for matchup reasons, and struck out five batters over three and a third innings, giving up just two hits and one run. Junior Joe Sperry closed out the game for the Golden Gophers with a scoreless ninth inning, holding the Sooners hitless and recording one strikeout.
Minnesota made a late push in the bottom of the eighth inning to cut the deficit to one run. After senior Jamie Hitt replaced Witherspoon and gave up a run, freshman Michael Catalano and senior Dylan Crooks combined to shut down the rally. Crooks, who recorded the final out in the eighth, closed out the game in the ninth despite some tense moments. Minnesota had a chance to tie the game in the final inning after sophomore Landen Lozier singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch, but a fly out to left field ended the game, sealing the 3-2 victory for Oklahoma.
Minnesota will look to bounce back tomorrow with a noon matchup against the University of Virginia, while Oklahoma will face Oregon State University at 4 p.m. Both games will be played at Dell Diamond in Round Rock.
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