On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
Skip Johnson and the Oklahoma pitching staff took Sooner baseball as far as they could in 2025.
Pushing No. 5 national seed North Carolina to a winner-take-all game seven on the Tar Heels’ home field on Monday, OU’s journey ended with an 14-4 loss to the host squad at Boshamer Stadium in Chapel Hill.
The Tar Heels continue on to the Super Regional round with a 45-13 record, while Oklahoma’s season ends at 38-22.
Johnson’s pitching plan Monday was always going to be sketchy against the talented Tar Heel lineup after his three primary starters were all tapped out in Chapel Hill action on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Kyson Witherspoon (99 pitches), Malachi Witherspoon (102) and Cade Crossland (107) each saw extended action and were not available. Jaden Barfield (70), who made just his third start of the year, also was unavailable.
Johnson had to dig down into his bullpen for long-term help on Monday, with Reid Hensley making his second start of the season and making it through just 2 1/3 innings and giving up five runs — two earned — with 30 strikes among his 52 total pitches.
Gavyn Jones was reliable out of the bullpen for most of the season, but ran into immediate trouble this time behind Hensley and lasted just one-third of an inning. After UNC’s four-run outburst in the third inning, freshman Dylan Tate needed just one pitch to get out of the mess but stayed on the mound and gave a glimpse at a promising future.
Hensley’s start began just fine, getting two quick outs to open the game, but it went south from there.
Luke Stevenson walked, Gavin Gallaher got first on a throwing error by second baseman Kyle Branch, and Hunter Stokely came through with a massive two-run double to the wall in left-center field that made it 2-0. Alex Madera then added a single to left and Stokely chugged home for a 3-0 lead.
The Sooners got to UNC starter Ryan Lynch for a pair of runs in the second inning.
Dasan Harris singled with one out, and Drew Dickerson crushed a 1-0 offering from Lynch over the wall in right-center field. It was Dickerson’s third home run of the regional and his fifth of the season and cut the Tar Heels’ lead to 3-2.
North Carolina all but put it away with four runs in the third inning, however.
Stevenson got it started off Hensley with a one-out single, and Gallaher followed with a single to center that sent Stevenson to third.
Jones relieved Hensley but walked the dangerous Stokely on four pitches to load the bases. Madera delivered another RBI single to make it 4-2, and Tyson Bass’ fielder’s choice forced Stokely at third but allowed Gallaher to score for a 5-2 lead. Sam Angelo made it 6-2 on a single to right, and Carter French singled up the middle to score Bass for a 7-2 lead.
North Carolina added to its lead in the fourth off Tate.
Jackson Van De Brake singled to lead off, and Tate plunked Stevenson. Van De Brake took third on a fly ball to right, and scored on Stokely’s sacrifice fly to left for an 8-2 lead.
Of Johnson’s seven pitchers on Monday, Tate was by far the most effective, throwing four innings of relief, scattering four hits, striking out five with no walks allowed and giving up just the one run. Tate threw 56 pitches in all, with 34 strikes.
OU got a run back in the bottom of the seventh on Jason Walk’s solo home run to cut it to 8-3.
But the Tar Heels responded with three more runs off four Sooner hurlers in the top of the eighth.
French led off with a single off Jamie Hitt, and after a sac bunt by Kane Kepley, Jackson Kircher took the mound. Van De Brake took Kircher’s second pitch over the left field wall for a two-run home run that made it 10-3. After Kircher struck out Stevenson, Gallaher hit another bomb to left just past the reach of Trey Gambill for an 11-3 lead.
Cameron Johnson came in and loaded the bases with three straight walks, but Beau Sampson finished off the inning by inducing a groundout.
Gallaher continued his nuclear weekend in the ninth inning with a mammoth three-run home run that made it 14-3. In his three games against the Sooners this week, Gallaher was 11-for-16 at the plate with nine RBIs and six runs scored with three doubles and three home runs.
OU added one more run in the bottom of the ninth when Easton Carmichael singled to score Dickerson.
More must-reads:
- Shaquille O'Neal makes peace with longtime enemy — mostly
- New report sheds light on how Cowboys view Micah Parsons situation
- The '2024 NFL rushing TD leaders' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
TODAY'S BEST
Colts' QB decision makes no sense, sets stage for wasted season
The Indianapolis Colts must have zero belief that Anthony Richardson is capable of being a starting quarterback in the NFL. That is the only logical conclusion one can draw from their decision to go with Daniel Jones as their starting quarterback for the 2025 season, while also giving him a lengthy leash to play through. It's not only nonsensical, but it sets the stage for what could be a completely wasted season of football where they do not get anything from it. Whether the Colts decided to go with Jones or Richardson, their ceiling was unlikely to change. They're not a Super Bowl-contending team, and they may not even be a playoff team. The Colts have a very flawed roster that is probably more than just one quarterback away. But that's part of the reason why it would have at least made sense to give Richardson one more run at it. While the early part of his career has been filled with injuries and inconsistency, he is still a player they used a No. 4 overall pick on. He is also a player who is still full of talent, a big arm and — in theory — a lot of potential. He is in a lot of ways still a mystery and something of an unknown as an NFL player. He's played only 15 games, thrown just 348 passes and is still 23 years old. There is still something there that a team can dream on. It would make sense to try to see if he can figure it out given that unknown potential and upside. Jones, on the other hand, is the complete opposite in every way. He is a mostly known commodity in the NFL. He has appeared in 70 regular-season games and thrown 2,241 passes, and he is going to be 28 years old when the season begins. There are no secrets here. Everybody knows what he is: veteran mediocrity. Sure, there is a chance he could follow the path of Geno Smith and finally put things together and become an above-average starter after washing out with the New York Giants. But those types of success stories are the exception and not the rule. After six years and nearly 2,500 passes in the NFL you start to get a sense for what a quarterback is and what they can do. Jones has shown everybody who and what he is as an NFL starting quarterback: not good enough. What are the Colts hoping to accomplish here? Maybe Jones is a marginal upgrade over Richardson right now. But is he enough of an upgrade to take them from a mid-level, average team to a playoff team or a contender? Not likely. Not in a stacked AFC. Due to Richardson's upside, if he can reach it, he might actually have the ability to do that. That alone should have been the incentive to give him one more run at it. If he washes out, then you might know for sure that he is not your answer and that you need to seriously look at the position again in 2026. The season might not go well, but it at least wouldn't be a waste. Right now, the Colts just seem to be hoping that Jones can get them to another eight- or nine-win season that keeps them squarely in the middle of the NFL standings. Nobody wants to see that. Nobody wants to watch that. They should have at least given Richardson one more swing at it. Now they have pretty much already written him off as a potential option without ever really knowing for sure if he could do the job or reach his potential.
Three-time NASCAR champion to retire after 2025 season
A storied NASCAR career will come to an end after 2025. Three-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion and 15-time race winner Matt Crafton will retire following the Truck Series championship race at Phoenix Raceway, concluding a NASCAR career that has spanned 25 years. Crafton, 49, has spent the entirety of his NASCAR Truck Series career — save for 2004 — with ThorSport Racing. His partnership with Menards has made his No. 88 truck iconic. Following Friday's eero 250 at Richmond Raceway, Crafton has made a total of 585 Truck Series starts and 592 across the top-three series of NASCAR competition. His last Truck Series victory came at Kansas in July 2020. Crafton failed to qualify for the 2025 Truck Series playoffs and will not compete for a fourth title in his final season. 2025 marks the second consecutive year that Crafton has missed the postseason and the second time he's missed it since NASCAR instituted the playoffs in the Truck Series in 2016. Through 18 races in 2025, Crafton is 16th in the Truck Series standings with three top-10 finishes. Defending Truck Series champion and ThorSport driver Ty Majeski will take over the No. 88 in 2026.
Rickie Fowler Fires Back at Instagram Troll After Weeks of Abuse
Rickie Fowler has fired back at an online troll after enduring weeks of hateful messages on Instagram. The harassment intensified following his narrow miss in qualifying for the Tour Championship, where he finished tied for 7th at the BMW Championship, just 37 points shy of securing a spot. Despite a promising start, Fowler’s performance faltered on the back nine, leading to his exclusion from the season finale. Fowler Confronts Troll: “I’d Like To See You Face To Face” An Instagram user, identified as “Cliff,” had previously sent homophobic and offensive messages to Fowler. After Fowler’s disappointing finish, the user mocked his failure, prompting the golfer to publicly call out the individual on social media. The unknown Instagram user first began sending the hateful messages in early August. Fowler ignored them for several weeks but finally gave him a befitting response after he concluded his 2025 PGA Tour season on Sunday. Fowler shared a screenshot of the hateful messages and asked the troll to find him and say those words to his face. “Cliff, or whoever you are, you know where to find me and I’d love to see you face to face. You’re the one hiding behind your little fake account…I’m sure your significant others are so thrilled how you’ve done in life…enjoy your Sunday evening.” Fowler Receives Overwhelming Support Fowler has received overwhelming messages of support from fans following the abuse he endured. The 36-year-old started this season slowly but finished tied for seventh at the Memorial Tournament, which gave him a boost. That result earned him a spot at The Open, where he went on to finish tied for 14th. He then put in strong performances to climb into the FedEx Cup top 70, qualifying for the FedEx St. Jude Championship, where he finished tied for sixth. The result pushed him up to 48th in the FedEx Cup rankings. With that, he not only secured his place in the BMW Championship but also guaranteed his spot in all of the 2026 Signature Events. ‘Don’t let the Turkeys bother you. You are a beloved golfer and a great asset to the game. Great to see you playing well !!,” a fan urged him to ignore the trolls. Another fan praised him for his comeback and stated that Fowler will win a major soon. “Rickie, keep going strong, you’re right there, mi amigo. You’ve made an incredible comeback, and I have no doubt you’ll be holding majors in the not-so-distant future. Wishing you, your team, and most importantly, your family all the best. Giddy-Up!” “I’ve said this a million times… Rickie, you are a stand-up guy! A classy human and one hell of a great family man! You give so much to golf and the fans! You deserve much better than what you get from golf and fans! Thank you for all you do and who you are! Grind like hell and get it!” another fan posted.
Johan Oviedo returns for Pirates to face Blue Jays
Right-hander Johan Oviedo will get another chance to stick in Pittsburgh's rotation on Wednesday afternoon when he makes his second start of the season for the host Pirates against the Toronto Blue Jays. Oviedo (0-0, 18.00 ERA) will oppose Toronto right-hander Chris Bassitt (11-6, 4.22) in the decisive game of a three-game series. It will be Oviedo's first start since Aug. 4 when he made a brief return to the majors after sitting out more than a year following Tommy John surgery. Oviedo pitched only one inning against the San Francisco Giants that day and struggled, throwing 43 pitches and allowing two runs on two hits and three walks despite striking out three. He was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis the next day. Over the past two weeks, Oviedo made two starts at Triple-A and threw 8 2/3 innings, allowing four runs (three earned), six hits and three walks while striking out 15. "He went down and handled what he needed to with the competitiveness that he consistently shows," Pirates manager Don Kelly said on Tuesday. "I'm just really proud of the way he handled that because it's not easy to do. Going through that whole journey to get back here, and then you pitch one inning and it doesn't go the way you planned and you find yourself back in Triple-A." Oviedo, who has a 13-25 career record and made 58 starts and 72 appearances overall before being sidelined following the 2023 season, was projected to open the 2025 campaign in the Pirates' rotation. However, a lat injury in spring training delayed his return by months. Oviedo is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA in two career starts against Toronto. Pittsburgh will need to make a roster move to clear space for his recall from the minors prior to the Wednesday game. Oviedo will face a Toronto lineup that regained its form on Tuesday during a 7-3 win. Alejandro Kirk and George Springer each homered for the Blue Jays, who hold a five-game lead in the American League East. Toronto manager John Schneider said that Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who sat out on Tuesday after exiting the Monday game with left hamstring tightness, was feeling better. However, it's likely the first baseman will not return to the lineup on Wednesday. "It was just inflammation, which is good," Schneider said before the Tuesday game about the results of the MRI Guerrero underwent earlier in the day. On the mound, Bassitt will be looking for his first win since July 23 against the New York Yankees. He is entering what could be a crucial start as he tries to retain a spot in the rotation with the team debut of Shane Bieber looming on Friday. Bassitt last pitched on Friday against the Texas Rangers in Toronto. He allowed three runs on four hits and four walks while striking out four over five innings. Bassitt left with a no-decision in a game Toronto eventually won 6-5. Bassitt, who is 8-0 with a 2.73 ERA in 14 starts at home, has been a far different pitcher away from Toronto. On the road, he is 3-6 with a 6.39 ERA in 11 starts and one relief appearance. Bassitt, however, is a perfect 4-0 for his career with a 2.10 ERA in five starts against the Pirates.
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
