OU baseball rewind: David Sandlin's 'outstanding' outing highlights bounce-back week for Sooners

Justin Martinez, Oklahoman

March 14, 2022 at 7:20 PM·3 min read

The Oklahoma baseball team bounced back last week.

After losing all three of its games at the 2022 College Classic in Houston from March 4-6, the Sooners found their groove and won all four of their home games. OU beat Dallas Baptist on Tuesday and swept its three-game series against UTSA on Saturday and Sunday.

Here's a look at what we learned about the Sooners from last week's action.

More: OU is searching for growth in 2022 college baseball season. Here is a roster breakdown & schedule.

Oklahoma's Brett Squires (12) stands on second base after a double on March 4 against LSU at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

OU

Overall record: 9-5

Last week: 4-0. Beat Dallas Baptist 8-7, beat UTSA 10-5, beat UTSA 8-3 and beat UTSA 9-5

This week: vs. Air Force, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday; vs. Air Force, 2 p.m. Wednesday; vs. New Orleans, 6:30 p.m. Friday; vs. New Orleans, 2 p.m. Saturday; vs. New Orleans, 2 p.m. Sunday

More: Oklahoma baseball's rivalry series against Texas gets relocated to Globe Life Field

OU bats get going

After erupting for seven runs in the fifth inning of Tuesday's game against Dallas Baptist, OU entered the bottom of the seventh frame with a 7-6 lead. Cade Horton stepped up to the plate with a runner on second base, and the redshirt freshman infielder battled his way to a 3-2 count.

The sixth pitch proved to be the one for Horton, who connected on a breaking ball and sent it into right field. One run scored, extending OU's lead to 8-6.

The RBI single Horton provided insurance for the Sooners, who went on to an 8-7 victory over the Patriots.

OU's strong showing at the plate set the tone for a bounce-back week. After averaging just 2.3 runs in three losses at the College Classic, the Sooners averaged 8.8 runs in four victories last week.

'He's a poster boy': Why OU pitcher Jake Bennett is ready for a leadership role this season

OU pitcher David Sandlin (28) throws in the first inning against UCLA during the Shriners Children's College Classic at Minute Maid Park in Houston on March 5.

David Sandlin effective vs. UTSA

OU pitcher David Sandlin was strong during an 8-3 win on Sunday vs. UTSA. The redshirt sophomore retired the first 15 batters he faced, but his last opponent during that stretch proved to be a worthy adversary.

The Sooners held a 6-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning when Garrett Poston worked his way to a 3-2 count. Sandlin then threw a pitch in the redshirt sophomore Roadrunner's direction, but Poston managed to stay alive by hitting a foul ball.

Still at a 3-2 count, Sandlin brought the heat. He went with a fastball that zipped past Poston, who didn't even attempt to swing at it, and got called for a strike.

The crowd at L. Dale Mitchell Park rose to its feet and applauded Sandlin, who finished his day in the following inning. He struck out six and allowed just two hits in eight innings.

"I thought Sandlin was outstanding in the first game," OU head coach Skip Johnson said. "Our offense gave us a chance to let him go out and do what he does. Sandlin kind of kept (UTSA) off-balance the whole day and made pitches when he had to make pitches."

'Maybe this is meant to be': How Chazz Martinez landed with OU baseball to follow his brother's footsteps

Kendall Pettis is more than just a runner

Kendall Pettis is a threat every time he's on base.

The redshirt sophomore outfielder boasts a team-high nine steals this season, but he went with strength over speed in OU's second game against UTSA on Sunday.

The Sooners held a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning when Pettis made direct contact and sent the ball over the fence for a two-run homer.

OU never looked back in a 9-5 victory and completed the three-game sweep over UTSA.

The Sooners continue to rely on Pettis for base running, but his work at the plate is a welcomed bonus. The Chicago native has two home runs this season, which already marks a career-high.

Justin Martinez can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or @JTheSportsDude on Twitter. Make sure to subscribe to The Oklahoman to stay up to date with all local sports.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: David Sandlin's 'outstanding' outing keys bounce-back week for OU

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OU

OU bats get going

David Sandlin effective vs. UTSA

Kendall Pettis is more than just a runner

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