March 25, 2006

Box Score

NORMAN, Okla. -- Ryan Rohlinger's sixth-inning RBI single broke a 1-1 tie, and No. 23 Oklahoma added three runs over the next two innings as the Sooners upended No. 22 Baylor 5-2 in Big 12 Conference action Saturday at L. Dale Mitchell Park. After Baylor's 6-5 victory in Friday's opener, the series goes to Sunday's finale tied one game apiece.

Baylor (16-7, 3-2) starter Cory VanAllen hit Chuckie Caufield with the first pitch of the sixth. Caufield then stole second and scored on Rohlinger's single to left. Freddie Rodriguez doubled down the left-field line on the first pitch of the seventh. Ryan Mottern followed with a two-run home run to left-center on an 0-2 VanAllen offering. Oklahoma (19-6, 1-1) added another run in the eighth on a Rodriguez two-out RBI single through the left side.

The Bears scratched for a run in the ninth but could not mount a ninth-inning rally for the second straight day. Zach Dillon walked to lead off the inning, moved to second on a passed ball, advanced to third on a Matt Sodolak ground out and scored on Kevin Russo's two-out RBI single.

VanAllen (3-2) took the loss, allowing all five runs on eight hits with four strikeouts in 7.2 innings. Oklahoma starter Steven Guerra worked through trouble on several occasions to earn the victory. Guerra (8-0) allowed one run on seven hits with four strikeouts in 8.0 innings.

Oklahoma got on the board first with a run on two hits in the fifth. Russell Raley singled to lead off the frame, moved to second on a Rodriguez sacrifice bunt and scored on a Mottern single up the middle.

Baylor was quick to answer as Seth Fortenberry blasted his third home run of the season, a solo shot to right-center, with one out in the two outs in the top of the sixth. One batter prior to Fortenberry's homer, Dillon was thrown out trying to stretch a single into a double.

Dillon was 3-for-3 with a walk at the plate for the Bears. He has reached safely in all five plate appearances in the series, in eight straight overall and in 14 of his last 17 trips to the plate over the last five games. Dillon has reached safely 53 times in 23 games.

Baylor and Oklahoma conclude their three-game series Sunday at 1 p.m. CST. The Bears send right-hander Tim Matthews (2-2, 3.38) to the mound, opposite Sooners' right-hander P.J. Sandoval (3-1, 4.35).