Max Belyeu returned to the Texas baseball team’s lineup in time to lead the Longhorns to a conference championship.
Belyeu’s three-run homer in the ninth inning was the difference in Texas’ 7-4 win at Oklahoma on Thursday night. Due to its victory at L. Dale Mitchell Park and Arkansas’ 10-7 loss to Tennessee, Texas has secured the Southeastern Conference’s outright championship in its first year in the league.
Ranked No. 3 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, Texas is now 41-10 this season with a 21-7 mark in SEC play.
SEC CHAMPIONS #HookEm | @TexasLonghorns | @SEC pic.twitter.com/hjeZYVrp57
Losers of five of their last six conference games, Texas rallied from 1-0 and 3-1 deficits during Thursday’s series opener in Norman. After the Sooners climbed themselves out of a 4-3 hole in the eighth inning, UT got its first two runners aboard against Oklahoma reliever Dylan Crooks in the final frame. That brought up Belyeu, who had gone hitless with three strikeouts in his first four-at bats.
On the first pitch he saw from Crooks, Belyeu homered to center field.
The 2024 Big 12 Player of the Year, Belyeu had missed UT’s previous 26 games with a thumb injury. Belyeu was listed as a game-time decision in the lead-up to Thursday’s first pitch, but Texas coach Jim Schlossnagle had hinted at the outfielder’s return during this series as the Longhorns prepare for the postseason.
More: Jim Schlossnagle predicted Texas baseball’s recent slide. Here’s how Horns are adjusting
With two games left in the regular season, Texas and Oklahoma (32-18, 13-15) will return to L. Dale Mitchell Park on Friday evening. The first pitch for that game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
Texas vs Oklahoma baseball: Live updates
Final: Texas 7, Oklahoma 4
Oklahoma got a runner aboard with one out in the ninth inning, but Dylan Volantis struck out two Sooners to end the game. With the win, Texas secured at least a share of the SEC championship.
If Arkansas loses to Tennessee tonight, the Longhorns will be the league’s outright champion. The Razorbacks were losing 7-3 in the eighth inning when the Texas game wrapped up.
a moment we won’t forget for a long, long time #HookEm | @TexasLonghorns pic.twitter.com/h1AoOJn3gz
Mid 9: Texas 7, Oklahoma 4
A three-run home run off Max Belyeu’s bat in the ninth inning has pulled Texas within three outs of an SEC championship. The three-run blast against Oklahoma closer Dylan Crooks gave Belyeu his first homer since March 28. Belyeu, the reigning Big 12 Player of the Year, had missed UT’s last 26 games with a thumb injury. He had opened tonight’s game with an 0-for-4 showing at the plate and three strikeouts.
GOOD TO HAVE YOU BACK, @BelyeuMax #HookEm pic.twitter.com/mjSZtIhXri
Belyeu’s homer drove in teammates Tommy Farmer IV and Ethan Mendoza. Farmer reached base with a leadoff double, and the No. 9 batter in the UT batting order is now 3-for-4 tonight with two RBIs and two runs.
End 8: Texas 4, Oklahoma 4
For just the second time this season, Dylan Volantis has blown a late-inning save opportunity. After the freshman reliever got into trouble by walking Easton Carmichael and hitting Sam Christiansen with a pitch, Volantis surrendered the lead when he gave up an RBI single to Oklahoma clean-up hitter Jaxon Willits.
Will Gasparino made a sliding catch in center field to end the inning and strand an Oklahoma runner at third base.
Mid 8: Texas 4, Oklahoma 3
Texas claimed its first lead of the evening when Kimble Schuessler drove in Rylan Galvan with an RBI single in the eighth inning. The Longhorns later had a chance to add some insurance in the frame, but Adrian Rodriguez was stranded after reaching third base with one out.
Horns have the lead, y’all #HookEm | @KimbleSchuessl1 pic.twitter.com/PthgeVSkPt
Since it has claimed a lead, Texas will turn to closer Dylan Volantis in the eighth inning. A freshman, Volantis has saved 12 games this season. Volantis has recorded more than three outs in eight of his saves.
End 7: Texas 3, Oklahoma 3
In his first inning of the evening, Texas reliever Thomas Burns retired the Sooners in order. Burns entered the day with a 4.58 ERA.
Mid 7: Texas 3, Oklahoma 3
During an inning that featured two pitching changes, Texas tied the game on Tommy Farmer IV’s two-run single. Farmer also scored UT’s other run tonight in the third inning.
life is better on the farm #HookEm | @tommyfarmerr pic.twitter.com/3GDDFqZ5gd
Oklahoma starter Kyson Witherspoon’s day ended during the seventh inning. Witherspoon allowed five hits and two earned runs, and he also struck out eight Longhorns. He threw 107 pitches over 6 ⅓ innings.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Thomas Burns will replace Grayson Saunier on the mound for Texas.
End 6: Oklahoma 3, Texas 1
For just the second time tonight, the Sooners were retired in order in the sixth inning. Through 3 ⅓ innings, Texas reliever Grayson Saunier has allowed one hit and registered three strikeouts.
Texas has had its last eight batters retired by Oklahoma starter Kyson Witherspoon.
End 5: Oklahoma 3, Texas 1
Oklahoma added to its lead in the fifth inning when Easton Carmichael’s two-out double brought home teammate Dawson Willis. Two of Oklahoma’s runs have been scored with two outs in an inning.
Mid 4: Oklahoma 2, Texas 1
rabbit in Norman
: SEC Network + pic.twitter.com/8SIeIYGlHY
During an inning that was temporarily delayed by a rabbit running around the field at L. Dale Mitchell Park, Texas was unable to cash in on a game-tying opportunity. Texas got a runner to third base with two outs, but Oklahoma ace Kyson Witherspoon struck out Casey Borba to end the threat.
Through four innings, Witherspoon has struck out six Longhorns.
End 3: Oklahoma 2, Texas 1
On the first pitch of the third inning’s bottom half, Oklahoma reclaimed the lead on Trey Gambill’s solo home run. Gambill has scored both of the Sooners’ runs so far.
first. pitch. swingin’. @gambill_trey pic.twitter.com/0x16039hbD
In the third inning, Texas made its first pitching change as Grayson Saunier replaced Kade Bing on the mound. Over 2 ⅔ innings, Bing allowed three hits and one walk. He also hit a batter.
Mid 3: Texas 1, Oklahoma 1
A slip-up by the Sooners has allowed Texas to tie the game. With two outs in the third inning, Texas had runners on the corners. Ethan Mendoza took off from first base in an attempt to let Tommy Farmer IV sneak home from third base before the final out was recorded. Oklahoma caught Mendoza in a rundown, but it threw away the baseball during the sequence. That error by Oklahoma first baseman Mason Hamlin allowed Farmer to score.
applying pressure #HookEm pic.twitter.com/AzETVxDl5Z
End 2: Oklahoma 1, Texas 0
Both Texas and Oklahoma got a two-out runner to first base in the second inning, but that was all of the session’s action. Kimble Schuessler provided Texas with its first hit of the evening when he singled off of Kyson Witherspoon. Mason Hamlin also drew a walk for the Sooners in the inning.
End 1: Oklahoma 1, Texas 0
Texas has fallen behind early after two pitches got away from starting pitcher Kade Bing in the first inning. To open the first inning’s bottom half, Bing hit Oklahoma leadoff hitter Trey Gambill with a full-count pitch. After a two-out single moved Gambill to third base, the Sooner outfielder scored on a wild pitch by Bing.
This is the 10th start of Bing’s sophomore season. The left-handed transfer from McLennan College began the year as UT’s Sunday starter, but he was demoted after compiling a 6.23 ERA over three subpar outings. Bing has since performed admirably in the Longhorns’ midweek games, most notably when he threw five innings of perfect relief against UTSA on March 18 and when he didn’t allow a hit over a 6 ⅓-inning start against Texas State on April 1.
This is Bing’s SEC debut.
Mid 1: Texas 0, Oklahoma 0
In his return to the Longhorns after a 26-game absence, Texas star Max Beyleu struck out swinging against Oklahoma starting pitcher Kyson Witherspoon. The SEC co-leader in wins, Witherspoon retired the Longhorns in order in the first inning.
Witherspoon is currently listed as the No. 10 talent on ESPN’s rankings of the top 150 prospects in the 2025 MLB Draft class. MLB.com has evaluated Witherspoon as the eighth-best prospect in the Class of 2025.
Texas vs Oklahoma starting lineups
Texas batting order
This is Belyeu’s first appearance since he injured his thumb against Missouri on March 28. The 2024 Big 12 Player of the Year, Belyeu is hitting .358 with six homers, 22 RBIs and 22 runs this season.
Oklahoma batting order
Texas starting pitcher
LHP Kade Bing (3-0, 2.89 ERA)
Oklahoma starting pitcher
RHP Kyson Witherspoon (9-3, 2.45 ERA)
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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas baseball vs Oklahoma game score: Replay as Longhorns, Max Belyeu claim SEC crown
Reporting by Danny Davis, Austin American-Statesman / Austin American-Statesman
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
