Tennessee opened its series against Oklahoma with a 9‑7 victory on Thursday night at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City, turning a tightly contested matchup into a showcase of late‑inning resilience.
Starter Tegan Kuhns took the mound for the Volunteers, delivering five innings while allowing five runs, a performance that set the tone for a bullpen that would keep the Sooners at bay; relief efforts from Cam Appenzeller and Bo Rhudy followed, preserving the lead.
The offense clicked when Levi Clark and Henry Ford each launched solo home runs, swings that shifted momentum and gave Tennessee the edge in the middle innings.
Sooner offense surges
Oklahoma responded with a barrage of 17 hits and three long balls, but the Volunteers’ pitching staff limited the damage, ensuring the narrow margin held.
Game 2 is scheduled for Friday at 7:30 p.m. EDT, offering both clubs a chance to adjust before the series returns to Tennessee.
Series history
The win also nudges the all‑time ledger in Oklahoma’s favor, as the Sooners now lead 3‑2, adding another chapter to a rivalry that has produced plenty of fireworks.