What a day it was in Arlington for day four of the Big 12 Conference Baseball Tournament. We saw a total of four Big 12 games on Thursday and it was non-stop, jam-packed action from morning until the late-night hours.
As we continue to make our way through the tourney, I have a few thoughts from the second full day of Big 12 baseball action. But first, here are the final scores from Friday’s games.
 #7 Kansas: 11, #9 TCU: 10
#1 Oklahoma: 8, #7 Kansas: 6
#2 Oklahoma State: 4, #10 Texas Tech: 0
#2 Oklahoma State: 10, #8 UCF: 1
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Oklahoma’s Dramatic Comeback
I know I have said it before, but it doesn’t matter how many runs this team is down by because they always have a chance to win with that offense of theirs. Even when Kansas jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the second inning, this Oklahoma team kept on fighting back.
Jaxon Willits got Oklahoma on the board with a two-run blast before Jackson Nicklaus and Kendall Pettis brought in three more in the fifth inning.
Willits tied the game at six in the sixth inning as the Sooners had all the momentum.
While Jaxon Willits put them in a position to win the game, it was Jackson Nicklaus who hit the walk off homer to put the Sooners in the conference title game.
Now Oklahoma has a chance to become a top eight seed in the tournament if they can beat Oklahoma State on Saturday.
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Goodbye Texas Tech and Kansas
Coming into the week, Texas Tech’s only chance of making the postseason was by winning the Big 12 tournament. Well, they didn’t do that, and they just don’t have a strong enough resume to even be considered a bubble team. It’s been almost ten years since Texas Tech missed the postseason, but that streak is about to end come Monday.
As for Kansas, they were a longshot bubble team to get in. While they were able to win two games in the tournament, their 15-15 Big 12 record isn’t great and their RPI is in the 70’s which is a complete no go for the selection committee. It was a great year for the Jayhawks, they didn’t do enough to earn a spot in the field of 64 in my book.
Did UCF Do Enough to Get In?
The Knights were one of many Big 12 teams on the bubble coming into the tournament. However, they did manage to win two games and make it all the way to the semifinals. They have an RPI inside the top 35 and even before Friday’s games started, D1Baseballl.com had them listed as a three seed. I think it’s safe to say that they will definitely get in on Monday.
A Bedlam Showdown Awaits
It’s not often in these conference tournaments that the top two seeds meet up in the championship game, but it happened. Oklahoma and Oklahoma State have been two of the best teams in the Big 12 all season long and it’s only fitting that they will meet up to ply for a conference title. It’ also going to likely be the last time these two schools play each other as members of the Big 12 Conference. It’s Bedlam in Arlington for a Big 12 title. What more could I ask for?
Saturday’s Game
#1 Oklahoma vs #2 Oklahoma State (Big 12 Championship Game)
