Cowboys Beat Sooners In Record Fashion

It's always sweet to beat your rival, it's even sweeter when you beat them in a record-setting performance.

On Tuesday night the Cowboys poured on the runs in a 24-2 win over the University of Oklahoma in a nonconference edition of Bedlam.

The 22-point victory is the largest margin of victory for the Cowboys in Bedlam history and the 24 runs are also the most runs scored in the programs history against OU. The run total is also the highest since the Cowboys played Texas A&M in 2010.

The Cowboys started the scoring as soon as they got a chance, putting eight runs on the board in a 45-minute first inning.

"It was just going our way that (first) inning," left fielder Gage Green said. "We got some good hits, some bunts and when you've got all those things going, everyone sees it and just builds off that momentum. It's good when it's going like that"

The first five Cowboys were able to reach base safely in the first inning, followed by two quick outs.

The inning wasn't over yet. Tim Arakawa, who hit a single to start the inning for the Cowboys, was up to bat again.

This time he had right fielder Jon Littell and third baseman David Petrino on base and on a 1-2 count, hit his first home run of the year.

"It's always good to pop the cherry and get a good pitch to hit," said Arakawa, whose first home run last year was also against OU.

The home run gave the Cowboys (23-9 overall, 7-2 Big 12) an 8-0 first inning lead in which they sent eleven hitters to the plate.

"I think we brought a lot of energy to the plate that first inning," Arakawa said. "Everybody went up there having quality ABs (at-bats) and we were able to have a successful first inning."

The Sooners (22-13, 7-5) began its attempt at a comeback in the second inning off a home run third baseman Joshua Ake hit to left field to make the score 8-2 off Cowboy starting pitcher Connor Costello.

The Cowboys would score at least three runs in five of the first six innings, giving the pitching staff all the room it needed to work with, even though it didn't need much.

Costello would be taken out in the fourth inning with a 15-2 lead and pitcher Tyler Nurdin replaced him.

Nurdin, who has been dealing with sick lately and moving out of a starting job and into the bullpen, was absolutely stunning.

"Very good to see," coach Holliday said. "Tyler (Nurdin) has been a little down lately with some health issues sickness wise. So we hadn't had him out there in extended look in a while. So it was good to get him back to 40-45 pitches, kind of get his body back in action."

Nurdin retired 10 of the first 11 Sooners he faced and allowed only one hit in the three innings he pitched.

The Cowboys are winners of 15 of its last 18 and are back in action this weekend at Kansas.

My Game Notes:

• There's no way that an OU team is as bad as the score says. In fact, after the game, coach Holliday addressed that. "The score is by no means a reflection of the quality of the ball club we played," Holliday said. "I assure you that."
• 14-32 (.438) That was the Cowboys average with RISP at one point.
• Tim Arkawa hit the scoreboard in right field on his home run. He didn't even know. Do you think he knew about the amazing bat flip?
• Nurdin had quality stuff tonight.
• Gage Green said one word to describe the Cowboys is "Gritty"
• The Cowboys have outscored opponents by a score of 153-39 in the last 18 games. Yes, you read that right.
• Gage Green and Tim Arakawa have a competition to see who can hit more home runs. This is real.
• Every OSU starter got a hit except Bryan Case. Case was 0-2 but reached base four times (three walks, one fielders choice).