Shockers take out OU 9-8

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Freshman Tyler Jones throws a pitch against Oklahoma University on Tuesday at Eck Stadium. The Shockers pulled out a 9-8 win over the Sooners.

Sam Hilliard can never seem to get on first base.

Not a bad problem when all you can do is hit doubles and triples. Hilliard would end the game 3-4 at bat with two doubles and another triple.

Hilliard’s triple would come in the eighth inning, bringing home Mikel Mucha for the winning run.

Changing a little bit for this game, head coach Todd Butler starts his top three hitters: Kihle, Tinkham and Hilliard.

First inning with Shockers at the plate, Hilliard started off where he left off this weekend by opening the game with a double. Add OU’s Corey Copping trying to throw out Hilliard at second, ending up throwing to the center fielder, advancing Hilliard to third. Then he hits Gunner Troutwine the very next pitch.

Two early outs kept the inning scoreless as Chase Radar struck out looking.

The Sooners would hit every pitch from Tyler Jones in the second inning, giving OU a quick 2-0 lead. With runners on first and third, Jones would be relieved by Ray Ashford to try and stop this bleeding inning. To no avail, the Sooners would end the inning with seven hits and five runs.

Third inning starts for OU with a double from H. Haley, who scored from a single Evans.

Eaton would make a highlight sliding catch in left field that seemed to change to momentum for the Shockers. A ground out then an Ashford strike out would close the inning.

Third inning, the Shockers now at bat, Tinkham walked, Hilliard doubled, Rader hit by a pitch, Sanagorski homered and Kirk would double to put the Shockers right back in the game with a score of 6-4.

Through the seventh inning, Shockers would play catch up, always trailing. With a score at 8-7, Wichita State had to act fast in the eighth to get this game in their favor.

In comes Hilliard, at the plate, staring down OU’s closing pitcher and a runner on second base as he figures out where he wants to put this ball in play. He swung, driving a single to center field. As Mucha rounds third base, OU’s outfield error has Hilliard sprinting around the bases to third.

OU, now trailing by one run, couldn’t find a way to score, ending the game 9-8 for the Shockers. This season, Shocker have been 1-20 when down going into the seventh inning while OU stands at 24-0 on top going in to the seventh. None of that mattered, OU doesn’t have Hilliard.