Southern Utah answered the mark in the top of the second inning to tie the score 1-1. Matt Sanford recorded a one-out double and then crossed the plate during the next at bat as Keli'i Zablan knocked an RBI single back up the middle to record the run.

However, six runs in the bottom of the second and another run in the bottom of the third inning gave the home team an 8-1 advantage.

The Thunderbirds made the most of an Oklahoma error in the top of the fourth inning as Bucky Aona led off the inning, making it to first on an error by OU's Bryant Hernandez. Following a single by Chester Wilson, Sanford hit his second double of the game to score Aona from second. Wilson then crossed home plate on an RBI ground ball off the bat of Zablan to bring the score to within five (8-3).

Once again, Oklahoma countered with a run in the bottom of the fourth and five more runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a commanding 14-3 lead.

Southern Utah recorded its final runs in the top of the eighth inning as Sanford recorded his third extra base hit of the night with a triple to lead off the frame. He later scored the first of two runs on a Dalen Isom RBI single. Isom scored the second run as he crossed the dish on an RBI single by Ray Wright.

Sanford was the player of the game for the Thunderbirds, going a perfect 4-for-4 from the plate with a single, two doubles and a triple while also collecting a stolen base in the sixth. In all, SUU tallied 13 hits to OU's 18..

SUU started Steve Johnson was given the loss after throwing two innings where he allowed seven runs (all earned) on eight hits with one strikeout. James Crockett came on in relief in the bottom of the seventh inning and was flawless, holding the Sooners to no runs on two hits and one walk with four strikeouts. OU's Garrett Richards was given the win on the mound after five innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and one walk with four strikeouts.

Southern Utah will return to conference play again this weekend when the Thunderbirds travel to Shreveport, La. to face the Gentlemen of Centenary College. The four-game series is scheduled to begin on Friday night.