Oklahoma’s players were in a rush to get to the clubhouse late Wednesday afternoon. An embarrassing loss to Southern Nazarene could have something to do with the quick exit and the rain that was gaining intensity was also a factor.

But there was another reason.

What lies ahead has much greater importance than the past.

The Sooners (26-16-1, 4-10-1 Big 12) return to Big 12 Conference play at 6 tonight at Texas Tech. The remaining 12 conference games are about all that matters right now.

“We’re not thinking about the past,” designated hitter Mike Gosse said.

Thinking about what’s happened through the first five conference series can only conjure up bad memories. The Sooners have only won one conference series during that span and have put themselves in a tough predicament.

There’s no hiding from the fact they’re in ninth place in the Big 12. If the season ended today, they would miss the Big 12 tournament for the first time in the program’s history.

It didn’t take more than a simple glance to see OU’s conference schedule was loaded early. Its first five series were against Nebraska, Baylor, Texas, Texas A&M and Missouri. All five of those teams reached the NCAA Tournament last season, along with Oklahoma State.

But the opportunity to make a move is still there. The Sooners’ next three series provide a chance to move up the standings.

The Red Raiders (20-23, 5-13) are in last place after dropping eight of their last nine conference games. The Sooners also have series at seventh-place Kansas and eighth-place Kansas State to follow before the regular season concludes against third-place OSU May 16-18.

“We have to finish strong. There’s no doubt it,” OU coach Sunny Golloway said.

The question is do the Sooners have what it takes to make a late-season run?

Before Wednesday’s loss to Southern Nazarene, signs were pointing in that direction. OU scored a combined 33 runs in victories over Missouri and TCU.

“Hitting is contagious and it can happen for any team,” first baseman Aaron Baker said. “You get a leadoff guy on base and things start happening.”

What happens tonight against Texas Tech at Dan Law Field should be a good indicator. OU has only won the first game of a series once this season (against Baylor March 28). It also happens to be the only series they’ve won.