2017 NCAA Regionals: Oklahoma Returns To Regionals, And Winners' Bracket

LOUISVILLE—Oklahoma returned to the NCAA Tournament on Friday after a three-year absence with a 7-2 victory against Xavier to move on to the winners’ bracket of the Louisville Regional.

Coach Pete Hughes said winning in Oklahoma’s return to regionals for the first time since 2013 “means everything.”

“It’s why they dedicate themselves in the offseason, it’s why they do things right academically, it’s why they do things right socially, it’s why they’re committed in the weight room, so they can sit here and have these moments,” he said. “And hopefully build momentum and continue being around each other. It’s a group that enjoys being around each other.”

The Sooners’ victory was a well-rounded effort, but it was not without tense moments in the dugout for Hughes. Oklahoma trailed, 2-0, for much of the game, stymied by Xavier ace junior lefthander Zac Lowther, before exploding for seven runs in the seventh inning.

Oklahoma entered the NCAA Tournament on a four-game losing streak, during which it averaged about four runs per game. As the zeroes piled up against Lowther, Hughes said he had a sense of déjà vu. His team, however, was unbothered by its recent struggles.

“These guys don’t overanalyze things like I do,” he said. “Our guys don’t think like that. I do. But they don’t, which is the most important thing.”

The Sooners had a difficult assignment in their return to regionals. Lowther led the Cape Cod League in strikeouts last summer and projects to be drafted in the first 3-5 rounds. He was as advertised Friday, generating swings and misses with his fastball, which sat 88-92, while filling up the zone with the pitch. He also spotted his breaking ball for strikes, which he said has been a key to his development this spring.

Oklahoma eventually got to him, however. Domenic DeRenzo started their rally with a one-out triple in the seventh. Lowther followed with a strikeout, but catcher Nate Loria was unable to handle the pitch and threw wildly to first base while trying to complete the out. A walk loaded the bases for Cade Harris, who cleared them with a double.

That ended Lowther’s night, and the junior finished with eight strikeouts in 6.1 innings. But Oklahoma continued to add runs against Xavier’s bullpen and sent 12 batters to the plate in a seven-run inning.

After Oklahoma’s recent struggles, Harris said that kind of inning was important for its confidence.

“It felt really good once we kept piling runs after I got that big hit,” he said. “Hopefully we can take it into tomorrow.”

Oklahoma will again face a tough lefthander Saturday, as it will take on Louisville and ace lefthander Brendan McKay, who will likely be drafted in the top three picks. The Sooners will start sophomore righthander Jake Irvin (6-2, 3.50) in one of the day’s best pitching matchups.

McKay Shows Off Speed

Brendan McKay is perhaps the most gifted player in college baseball. The junior has been a two-way star throughout his career and this spring was named Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year. He is likely to be drafted in the top three picks as a pitcher after going 9-3, 2.37 on the mound this season, but he is also hitting .359/.475/.692 with 17 home runs, and could also be a first-round pick as a first baseman, where he started Friday.

As many things as McKay does well on the diamond, running is not one of them. He has below-average speed and coming into the weekend, he had stolen one base this season and had just five in 183 games in his career.

But in the third inning of Louisville’s 11-6 victory Friday against Radford, McKay took off for second base. He slid in safely and the throw from the catcher sailed into center field, allowing him to advance to third.

Coach Dan McDonnell said he started McKay because Drew Ellis had engaged in a long at bat and he wanted to make sure Ellis was rewarded instead of hitting into an inning-ending double play.

McKay’s steal was one of four stolen bases for the Cardinals in the win, raising their season total to 89. McDonnell said he always enjoys watching players improve their baserunning during their college careers, but wasn’t as big a fan of McKay’s head-first slide into second base.

“I’ve told him you’re not allowed to head-first slide into home,” McDonnell said. “I think I’ve told him you’re not allowed to head-first slide into other bases, but I guess he got away with it tonight.”

Snider Steps Up

Freshman Jake Snider got a surprise start at DH for Louisville on Friday. Snider had started just six games all season, but with righthander Danny Hrbek on the mound, McDonnell took advantage of a rare game where none of the Cardinals’ regulars needed to occupy the DH spot.

Snider made the most of the opportunity. With the game tied at six in the sixth inning, Snider drove a home run out to right field to give Louisville a lead it wouldn’t relinquish. It was his first career home run and a part of his 2-for-3 night.

Snider said while his game opportunities have been limited this season, he has worked hard in practice to stay sharp for a moment like Friday’s.

“Trust my ability in everything I do, every day in BP,” he said. “Because nothing should change between BP and the game.”
Snider is the son of Louisville hitting coach Eric Snider, who also coaches third base. He said he was focused on Josh Stowers, who was running the bases, but saw Jake put a good swing on the ball.

“It was good to see him square a baseball,” Eric Snider said. “It was pretty cool.”