2012-11-10

Oklahoma Baseball Lends Helping Hand

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NORMAN, Okla. -- The University of Oklahoma baseball program recently volunteered with the Meals On Wheels of Norman to deliver nutritious meals to the ill, disabled and elderly of the community.

"A lot of those people can't leave their houses or walk or socialize with other people in the community, so it's good for us to go out there and put a smile on their faces and make their day by bringing them some food," said junior left-handed pitcher Dillon Overton. "It's always good to make somebody's day and make them happy."

Armed with meals for both local residents and their pets, the Sooners spent the afternoon not only delivering essential supplies but also lending a smile and some good cheer to those in need.

"Our guys are excited to be involved in Meals On Wheels," said OU head coach Sunny Golloway. "For us to go out and do our community service and help Meals On Wheels in Norman and Cleveland County in one day, it really gives us a good perspective on how the organization does this every day. They're helping out elderly or the disabled or people who can't prepare meals for themselves. It was a good perspective for our guys to understand how truly blessed they are and how giving back to the community is extremely important. It's a life lesson."

Since its inception in January 1972, Meals on Wheels has continued to serve the Norman community by providing nutritious, noontime meals to the ill, elderly, and disabled. The friendly volunteers develop relationships and look forward to visiting those in need each day. To family members unable to live close by, the visit insures the health of their loved one and that they are receiving a nutritious meal each day.

2012-11-09

Gray, Carey Power Red Team to Fall Sweep

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NORMAN, Okla. -- Jonathan Gray hurled four scoreless innings and fanned two, Garrett Carey went 3-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI and Jack Mayfield smashed a home run to help the Red Team beat the White Team, 6-4, in the fifth and final game of the University of Oklahoma baseball program's annual Red/White Series Thursday at L. Dale Mitchell Park.

"It was a really good fall series," said OU head coach Sunny Golloway. "We'll come back with individuals and look forward to working and tweaking little things that we think guys need to get better at. There's no doubt that we have the pieces to the puzzle."

The Red Team completed a five-game fall series sweep of the White Team. Mayfield led the way with a .471 batting average, a team-high eight hits -- including two doubles and two home runs -- to go along with six runs and four RBIs over five games. Dilon Argo hit .385 with five hits to go along with three runs scored and two RBIs. Carey batted .353 with six hits to go along with an RBI and three runs scored. Dillon Yeaman hit .333 with five hits -- including two doubles -- to go along with four runs scored and two RBIs. Craig Aikin hit .300 with six hits -- including a double -- to go along with a run scored and four RBIs. Mac James appeared in four games for the Red Team, hitting .333 with three hits -- including a double -- to go along with four runs scored and two RBIs. He tallied a single in Game 5 for the White Team.

"The Red Team had tremendous leadership and play from team captains Jack Mayfield and Jonathan Gray," said Golloway. "Carey continues to elevate his play. He fields really well, and his bat has really come around for us. He's a much better hitter this year than he was last year."

Hunter Lockwood went 2-for-4 with two RBIs to lead the White Team's offense while Dillon Overton struck out five over four frames in his second start of the Red/White Series. Overton fanned 11 in eight innings of work in the fall series. Hunter Haley hit .500 with a series-high nine hits -- including two doubles -- to go along with three runs scored and two RBIs in five games to lead the White Team. Dylan Neal hit .556 in four games with five hits -- including a double -- to go along with two RBIs while Dusty Dishman hit .444 in four games with four hits to go along with two runs scored and an RBI.

After Gray and Overton traded zeros in the first two frames, the Red Team landed the contest's first punch in the top of the third inning. Argo got things started with a leadoff bunt single, and Dishman, who was a member of the Red Team's roster for Game 5, drove him in two outs later with a double to left.

The Red Team tacked on two more runs to its total in the ensuing inning. Yeaman sent a one-out double down the left field line, then scored on a single and an error that put Carey on. Carey moved to third on a passed ball, then scored when Neal, playing for the Red Team in Game 5, lifted a sacrifice fly to right.

After Gray departed after four innings of work, Billy Waltrip picked up where the Red Team's starting arm left off by tossing three scoreless innings and striking out three.