The annual Bedlam Series between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State is always heated, always personal, and never short on drama. But Friday night in Norman, the drama didn’t last long. Fueled by a relentless offensive barrage, the Oklahoma Sooners crushed their in-state rivals with a dominant 17-5 run-rule victory that sent a thunderous statement to the rest of the Big 12 and beyond.
With the wind carrying just slightly out and the crowd energized early, Oklahoma’s bats lit up L. Dale Mitchell Park like a fireworks show. From the first pitch, it was clear the Sooners weren’t interested in simply edging out their rival. They were out to dominate.
And dominate they did.
Every starter in the OU lineup recorded at least one hit, and seven players drove in runs as the Sooners exploded for 17 runs on 18 hits, forcing the game to end after just seven innings due to the run rule. The performance was the latest in a season that has seen Oklahoma’s offense come into its own at the perfect time.
Leadoff hitter Bryce Madron set the tone right out of the gate. On the very first pitch of the game from Oklahoma State starter Brennan Phillips, Madron ripped a double into the right-center field gap. Two pitches later, he was crossing home plate after a sharp single up the middle from John Spikerman. The tone was set: this OU lineup wasn’t going to wait around.
Spikerman followed with a steal of second, then scored on a line drive by Jackson Nicklaus. Just like that, it was 2-0 Oklahoma. Phillips managed to record two outs, but the damage wasn’t done. A walk, a bloop single, and a bases-loaded double from Easton Carmichael made it 5-0 before Oklahoma State could exhale.
By the end of the first inning, Oklahoma had batted around and led 6-0. That early burst gave OU starter Braden Davis a comfortable cushion, and the junior left-hander made the most of it. Though he wasn’t perfect—allowing five hits and a pair of runs—Davis kept OSU’s powerful lineup off-balance for five innings. His ability to work ahead in the count and induce soft contact allowed Oklahoma’s defense to remain steady while the offense continued to pour it on.
Oklahoma’s bats didn’t slow down. After Oklahoma State scratched across two runs in the second to cut the lead to 6-2, the Sooners responded with a three-run inning of their own in the bottom half. That was the story of the night—every time the Cowboys seemed to gain a sliver of momentum, Oklahoma took it right back, usually with a vengeance.
In the third, Nicklaus added a solo homer over the right field wall, making it 10-2. Then came the fifth, when OU truly broke the game open. A six-run inning was punctuated by a towering three-run shot from freshman phenom Kendall George, who sent a 2-1 fastball sailing into the night sky. It was George’s third home run of the season and easily the most electric moment of the night for the home crowd.
By the time the sixth inning ended, the Sooners were ahead 17-3. Oklahoma State managed to tack on two consolation runs in the top of the seventh, but it was far too little, far too late.
“Top to bottom, this was one of the most complete offensive performances we’ve had all season,” head coach Skip Johnson said afterward. “The guys were locked in. They came out with energy, they attacked the fastball early, and they didn’t let up.”
The numbers back that up. Madron, Spikerman, and Nicklaus each had three hits. George drove in four runs, while Carmichael, Nicklaus, and Wallace Clark each chipped in multiple RBIs. Oklahoma didn’t just hit for power—they hit situationally. They executed hit-and-runs, bunt singles, and opposite-field strokes. It was an exhibition in plate discipline and offensive versatility.
For Oklahoma State, it was a nightmare from the outset. Phillips lasted just 1.2 innings, giving up seven hits and eight earned runs. The Cowboys went through four different pitchers, and none could stop the bleeding. Defensively, OSU committed two errors and misplayed several balls in the outfield, contributing to the rout.
“They jumped on us, plain and simple,” Oklahoma State head coach Josh Holliday said. “They were aggressive early, and we didn’t execute on the mound or in the field. That’s not a recipe for success against a team like that.”
The victory marked Oklahoma’s 28th win of the season and was particularly sweet given the stakes. Not only did it come against their biggest rival, but it also gave the Sooners a crucial leg up in the race for the Big 12 title. Entering the weekend, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State were neck and neck near the top of the conference standings. Now, OU has momentum on its side and a series lead in the rivalry that matters most.
“This one always means more,” said Spikerman, who finished 3-for-4 with a pair of RBIs and three runs scored. “It’s Bedlam. There’s just something different about playing these guys. You feel it in warmups, you feel it in the dugout. We wanted to make a statement.”
The statement was loud and clear.
Beyond the scoreboard, the win was another example of how far this Oklahoma team has come. Earlier in the season, the Sooners had trouble putting together consistent at-bats and often left runners stranded. But in recent weeks, the lineup has clicked. They’re seeing pitches better, driving balls into gaps, and turning innings into avalanches. Friday’s blowout was the culmination of that growth.
Pitching coach Reggie Willits praised Davis’s ability to stay composed with such a large lead, something that can sometimes be tricky for young arms.
“Braden did a great job of pitching with a lead,” Willits said. “It’s easy to lose focus or start nibbling, but he kept attacking. He made them earn everything.”
Oklahoma’s bullpen wasn’t needed much, but freshman reliever Owen DeVos closed the door in the seventh, allowing two runs but also striking out the final batter with a slider that fell off the table.
As fans filed out of the stadium, the atmosphere was one of celebration. Not just for the win, but for the potential this team is showing. With postseason play looming, Oklahoma is starting to resemble a squad capable of making serious noise in the NCAA Tournament.
“This is the identity we’ve been working toward,” Johnson said. “Tough at-bats. Relentless effort. Guys playing for each other. If we keep that mindset, we’re going to be in a good place.”
The Bedlam Series continues through the weekend, and while Oklahoma State will no doubt regroup and come out with fire in Game 2, the Sooners have already landed a gut punch that will be hard to forget. More than just a win, it was a show of force—proof that when this OU lineup is rolling, they can beat anyone in the country.
For now, Oklahoma can enjoy the sweet satisfaction of a run-rule victory over their most bitter rival, a night when everything clicked and every swing seemed to carry a little more purpose.
Baseball, like all sports, has its peaks and valleys. But Friday night in Norman, the Sooners found the mountaintop. And they made sure Oklahoma State knew exactly who put them there.