THE RUNDOWN
The Patriots (21-11, 5-4 CUSA) played a complete game against No. 16 Oklahoma (23-9, 5-6 SEC), propelling off a big third inning for a 9-1 victory at L. Dale Mitchell Park. The DBU offense hit three home runs while the pitchers registered 10 strikeouts with an error-less defense behind them.
 
Pitching took center stage early, as both teams traded zeros through the first two innings. DBU's Jerrod Jenkins and OU's Reid Hensley each fanned three batters in dominant opening frames, setting the tone for what initially looked like a classic pitcher's duel. But in the top of the third, the Patriots flipped the script.
 
With one out, Tom Poole ignited an offensive onslaught for DBU with a single to center field. Grant Jay followed with a scorching double to the left-center gap, pushing Poole to third. Then, Nathan broke the scoreless tie with a two-RBI double to right field. Next, Chayton Krauss launched a deep fly ball over the left field wall for a two-run blast. Keaton Grady kept the momentum rolling with a single—the fifth consecutive hit of the inning— and Michael Dattalo capped off the rally with an RBI knock through the left side, plating Grady and giving DBU a commanding 5-0 lead.
 
Jenkins returned to the mound in the bottom of the third and continued his dominance, keeping the Sooners off the scoreboard, and the Patriots kept the runs coming in the fourth. Leading off the top half of the inning, Adam Berghult worked a 3-1 count before sending his fourth homer of the year over the left-field fence. Two batters later, Grant Jay showed off his power with the second solo shot of the frame, a rocket to center field that stretched the advantage to 7-0.
 
In the bottom half, Nick Bonn took over and worked a perfect inning, setting the stage for more Patriot offense in the fifth. Grady put himself into scoring position with a leadoff double, and Dattalo brought him home with his second RBI single of the game to make it 8-0.
 
The offense stayed sharp in the sixth. Poole initiated the sixth with a double for his second hit of the night and Humphreys pushed the game to a nine-run margin when he recorded a single for his third hit and third RBI of the night.
 
Both bullpens hit their strides in the late innings. Avery Duncan pitched shutout frames in the fifth and sixth before the trio of Athan Kroll, Mason Swinney, and Ashton Branson combined for three innings of one-run baseball. The OU bullpen matched, holding DBU scoreless after the sixth, but the early runs prevailed as the Patriots completed the season sweep of the Sooners.
 
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
- Tuesday night marks DBU's fourth straight win against Oklahoma.
- The Patriots outscored the Sooners a combined 20-1 in both games of the season series.
- DBU's one through five hitters—Tom Poole, Grant Jay, Nathan Humphreys, Chayton Krauss, and Keaton Grady—went 11-22 with three doubles, two home runs, and six RBI.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
1 - Patriot pitching gave up one run or less in a game for the seventh time this season.
3 - Nathan Humphreys earned his third three-hit game of the year, and Keaton Grady recorded his third three-hit night.
.357 - DBU hit .357 (5-14) with runners in scoring position.
 
UP NEXT
The Patriots continue their five-game road trip this weekend with a Conference USA series against Jacksonville State (21-12, 5-4 CUSA). Game one begins at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, April 11. Read Full Article