Oklahoma walks off Arizona State 4-3 to split midweek series after seven-inning run-rule loss

Late offense lifts Sooners in midweek finale at L. Dale Mitchell Park

Oklahoma baseball avoided a two-game midweek sweep on Wednesday, Feb. 25, rallying for a 4-3 walk-off win over Arizona State in Norman. The result split the series after the Sun Devils took the opener 15-3 in seven innings on Tuesday, Feb. 24, handing the Sooners their first loss of the season.

The turnaround came in a game that stayed tight into the ninth inning and featured limited offense from Oklahoma for most of the afternoon. Arizona State carried a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the ninth, with Oklahoma having produced only three hits through eight innings.

How the decisive ninth inning unfolded

Oklahoma’s final at-bat began with a leadoff triple by Camden Johnson. One batter later, Deiten LaChance delivered an RBI double to tie the game at 3-3. With the tying run in, Jaxon Willits followed with a walk-off double down the left-field line, bringing home the winning run and sealing the 4-3 final.

• Camden Johnson: sparked the comeback with a leadoff triple in the ninth.
• Deiten LaChance: tied the game with an RBI double.
• Jaxon Willits: ended it with a walk-off double.

Pitching and game flow: early Arizona State burst, late Oklahoma response

Arizona State built its offense early, scoring three runs in the first inning, then relied on its pitching to protect the lead. Oklahoma’s pitching staff kept the game within reach after a short start from Gavyn Jones, who allowed three runs (two earned) over two innings.

Oklahoma turned to Kadyn Leon, Jason Bodin and Jackson Cleveland in relief, and the group limited Arizona State’s production the rest of the way. Cleveland worked the final 1.1 innings and was credited with the win. Arizona State reliever Derek Schaefer took the loss after allowing the decisive ninth-inning rally.

Context from Tuesday’s opener and what the split means

The split came one day after Arizona State’s 15-3 win ended Oklahoma’s unbeaten start. In that opener, Arizona State broke the game open with an eight-run second inning and a six-run third inning as strong winds aided balls hit to the outfield. Oklahoma’s scoring included a two-run home run by Nolan Stevens in the second inning and a solo home run by Willits in the fourth.

After two games, both teams left Norman with one win, and Arizona State’s defeat in the finale marked its first loss of the season. Oklahoma, which had posted lopsided run totals in its opening week, faced a sharper test from a visiting club that outscored the Sooners 18-7 across the series.

Oklahoma’s walk-off finished a game in which half of its hits came in the ninth inning, turning a one-run deficit into a split.

Next on Oklahoma’s schedule

Oklahoma is scheduled to remain in Norman for a three-game weekend series against Gonzaga.