MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — No. 22 Oklahoma still has its mojo when it comes to beating West Virginia.
The Sooners struck for two early runs against Alek Manoah and held on for a 2-1 series-opening win Friday night, their sixth straight over the Mountaineers dating back to 2017.
West Virginia (14-11, 0-4) remained winless in Big 12 action this season despite putting the potential tying and go-ahead runs aboard in the ninth against Oklahoma closer Jason Ruffcorn. Tevin Tucker and Tyler Doanes drew two-out walks before Brandon White’s chopper to third secured Ruffcorn’s seventh save.
While the Mountaineers left 10 runners aboard, the league-leading Sooners (22-5, 4-0) stranded 11 — leaving the bases jammed in the top of the ninth when Tristen Hudson recorded three outs on nine pitches to preserve a one-run deficit.