Sat, May 17 2008
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Published May 02, 2008 12:56 am - The exuberance was apparent after Oklahoma’s 12-11 victory over Wichita State Wednesday night. The celebration after Aljay Davis crossed home plate for the game-winning run in the 10th inning was fitting. In the end, though, it was just one victory and not one of the Big 12 Conference variety. Bigger games to win Wichita State win provides momentum, but Sooners need Big 12 victories By John Shinn The Norman Transcript The exuberance was apparent after Oklahoma’s 12-11 victory over Wichita State Wednesday night. The celebration after Aljay Davis crossed home plate for the game-winning run in the 10th inning was fitting.
In the end, though, it was just one victory and not one of the Big 12 Conference variety. Still, battling back from a three-run ninth-inning deficit has to mean something. “It obviously gives us a boost going into this weekend,” designated hitter Mike Gosse said. “We’ve had some bad breaks in conference, but we know we have some momentum.” The Sooners (29-17-1, 6-11-1 Big 12) open a three-game series at Kansas at 6 tonight. To call this weekend’s slate critical for OU’s postseason hopes would be an understatement. Winning anything less than two games would be a major blow. The Sooners have to get to .500 in conference play to lock up an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament. There are only nine conference games left. Having the next three against the Big 12’s last-place team means a golden opportunity has presented itself. The Jayhawks (26-22, 5-13) have lost five of their last six conference games and four of their last five overall. Most of the conference losses have been on the road. Kansas is 3-3 in Big 12 play at Hoglund Ballpark. The Sooners have to figure out a way to add to the Jayhawks’ woes. That hasn’t been easy. OU, which took two of three from Texas Tech last weekend, has only won two conference series this season and is just 2-6-1 in conference road games. “We’ve been having a tough time in conference play, but we can feel ourselves starting to come along,” first baseman Aaron Baker said. “Every series matters and this a chance to turn things around.” That’s why the celebration following Wednesday night’s victory didn’t go late into the night. It was a good win against a big rival, but bigger and more meaningful chores lie ahead. If anyone was thinking any differently, OU coach Sunny Golloway spelled it out clearly about 10 minutes after the Wichita State game. “The bottom line is, the win makes you feel good and you sleep better at night,” he said. “Our focus (Thursday) at 10:30 is to get on the bus, hope the rain holds off in Lawrence, because our destiny lies with the Big 12 games remaining on our schedule.” John Shinn 366-3536 
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