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Oklahoma stays alive, clobbers Nebraska in Chapel Hill Regional elimination game
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Oklahoma avoided elimination in the Chapel Hill Regional with a blowout win over Nebraska. The Sooners clobbered Nebraska 17-1 to set up a rematch with host North Carolina, the No. 5 national seed.
OU started hot, scoring 3 in the top of the 1st inning, and never looked back. The Sooners broke the game open with a 6-run 3rd inning to make it 9-0. It was 15-0 in the middle of the 6th before the Huskers finally got on the board. Oklahoma added 2 more runs in the top of the 8th.
Oklahoma collected 18 hits in the game in 45 at-bats. The Sooners were 5-of-13 with 2 out and 12-of-25 with runners, including 9-of-19 with runners in scoring position. The offensive explosion was led by catcher Easton Carmichael. He went 2-for-5, hitting 2 home runs and collecting a team-leading 4 RBIs.
It is an absolute shellacking in Chapel Hill, as Oklahoma leads Nebraska 17-1 in the 8th. Every single OU hitter has gotten in on the fun. Easton Carmichael has paced the offense and is 2-5 with 2 HRs and 4 RBIs. pic.twitter.com/bAJelqYpsB
— Peter Flaherty III (@PeterGFlaherty) June 1, 2025
In the loser’s bracket, pitching depth is always a concern. Oklahoma only had to use 2 pitchers in Saturday’s elimination game against Nebraska.
Cade Crossland was outstanding, allowing the Sooners to save the bullpen. Crossland went 7 innings, allowing 1 unearned run on 5 hits, striking out 9 with 2 walks over 107 pitches (71 strikes). Michael Catalano closed it out from there, allowing just 1 hit over the final 2 innings without a run. Catalano threw 46 pitches (27 strikes).
Oklahoma will face North Carolina. The Tar Heels need only 1 win to advance to a Super Regional, while the Sooners must beat UNC twice.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
