Oklahoma took a bit of a gamble last night. As the region’s two seed, they decided their best chance to advance was to hold their ace Kyson Witherspoon until Saturday. The hope was his brother Malachi could get the Sooners past Nebraska so that Kyson wouldn’t be pitching in an elimination game.
It worked, as Malachi pitched six scoreless innings in their rain-delayed 7-4 win over the Cornhuskers Friday night. Nebraska was able to get four off the Sooner bullpen, but the magic of their Big Ten Tournament ran out.
So now Oklahoma is set up to face the Tar Heels at the Bosh tonight for the right to stay in the winner’s bracket.