Tulsa World: Sense of relief: OU's bullpen delivers in win against Wichita State

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Sense of relief: OU's bullpen delivers in win against Wichita State

Aaron Baker scores a run in front of Wichita State catcher Cody Lassley in Oklahoma's three-run sixth inning of Friday night's 5-4 victory over Wichita State in the Norman Regional. Steve Sisney/The Oklahoman

By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer
Published: 5/30/2009 2:21 AM
Last Modified: 5/30/2009 3:25 AM

NORMAN — When Oklahoma's starting pitching fails, the Sooners can always count on their bullpen.

Never was that more evident this season than Friday, when Chase Anderson came on in the third inning and threw 5 1/3 innings of scoreless ball in a 5-4 victory over Wichita State in the first round of the Norman Regional.

"When Anderson came in, he pretty well stopped us," said Shockers coach Gene Stephenson. "He threw well."

A season-high crowd of 3,176 — the fifth-largest in the 27-year history of L. Dale Mitchell Park, many dressed in Shockers gear — turned out. Another bulging crowd is expected for Saturday's 7 p.m. semifinal against Arkansas. Wichita State plays Washington State in a 1 p.m. elimination game.

OU, the No. 1 seed in the regional and No. 7 national seed in the 64-team NCAA Tournament field, improved to 42-18. Wichita State, seeded fourth in Norman, fell to 30-26.

OU starter Andrew Doyle had lasted at least five innings in all but one of his 13 starts this season, but lasted just 2 2/3 innings this time. The Shockers came in averaging just 5.4 runs per game, but scored four against Doyle on four hits, two walks, a sacrifice bunt and two sac flies.

But that was OK with Oklahoma.

Doyle was replaced by Anderson, the relief ace who made his team-high 26th appearance of the year. Anderson (3-1) retired 15 of the 17 hitters he faced before turning it over to Ryan Duke in the ninth inning. Duke closed for his 16th save. Anderson struck out seven, walked one (that runner was picked off by catcher J.T. Wise) and gave up only a double.

"Our bullpen has been terrific," said OU coach Sunny Golloway. "(Anderson) is a member of a terrific bullpen."

Anderson said he didn't try to do anything special when he was called on so early.

"I control throwing strikes, and just let my defense work," he said.

Wichita State led 4-1 early on as the Sooner hitters struggled against Wichita State starter Tim Kelley. Kelley, a Bishop Kelley product, was hurt only by solo home runs by Jamie Johnson and Aaron Baker, but still was in control after a strikeout to start the sixth.

Kelley (5-4) walked wise, and Baker doubled. Garrett Buechele cracked a two-run double to tie it at 4-4. The throw from left field easily beat Baker, but Wichita State catcher Cody Lassley didn't catch the one-hop. Buechele later scored on a sacrifice fly by Ross Hubbard to give OU a 5-4 lead.

"I knew we'd have to score," Kelley said. "They're a good hitting team. I made a few mistakes and they took advantage of them. That's what good hitters do."

"We're sorely disappointed," Stephenson said, "but I think we played about as well as we can play under the circumstances. . . . It hurts just as much to lose by one as it does by 21."

John E. Hoover 581-8384
john.hoover@tulsaworld.com By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer

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