What an exhilarating weekend of baseball in Frisco, Texas for the fifth annual Frisco Classic!! The sights and sounds of the game were so utopian amidst the uncertainty we're currently experiencing. The smell of the sweet roasted pecans, the hot dogs and PA announcer, the crowd noise, the ping of the bat, all so familiar and the fans and media alike welcomed it with open arms.
The eighth and final game of the Frisco Classic the evening of March 7th paired the Oklahoma Sooners and the Dallas Baptist Patriots. Both teams were out to prove something as OU was coming off a 16-6 win over the Missouri Tigers on March 6th and DBU was coming off a disappointing loss to the Arizona Wildcats that ultimately determined the Frisco Classic champion.
Ray Gaither got the nod for DBU and retired the Sooners in order in the top of the first. The Patriots opened the scoring by plating 3 in the home half of the first inning. River Town, who was an All Tournament Team selection, led off the inning with a double. Freshman sensation Jace Grady laid down a textbook bunt base hit to set the stage for the hero from March 4th, and also an All Tournament Team selection, Jackson Glenn who delivered with an RBI single. The Patriots would add two more runs with aggressive base running and help from OU starter Jake Bennett's wild pitches.
The Sooners did not fare any better the next inning. OU had a chance with runners on the corners with two out but the redshirt junior Gaither was able to escape unscathed. Dallas Baptist kept their foot on the gas and added 5 more runs on 3 hits, 1 error and 3 more wild pitches, to take a commanding 8-0 lead in the bottom of the second.
Blayne Jones would add a solo shot in the third inning to make it 9-0 and add to his highlight reel of a night, which included some sensational plays at SS. The Sooners would add 3 runs in the seventh after the DBU bullpen could not find the strike zone in relief of Gaither. Ross Carver shut down the comeback attempt the last 2 innings to secure the 9-3 victory and a 3-1 record for DBU in the Frisco Classic and an 8-3 record overall.
Ray Gaither had a terrific outing, pitching 6 innings, allowing 0 runs on 3 hits and striking out 6 Sooners to earn the win and improve to 1-1. Jake Bennett would suffer the loss and move to 1-1 after going 4 innings, giving up 9 runs on 7 hits, walking 2 and striking out 6. Oklahoma left 8 men on base and struck out 10 times. DBU starting pitching was stellar yet again and the Patriots stole 4 bases and got timely hits.
Dallas Baptist had 3 selections to the 2021 Frisco Classic All-Tournament Team. RHP Dominic Hamel who had a Frisco Classic record 13 strikeouts in his win. Second baseman Jackson Glenn and right fielder River Town.
It was a weekend of college baseball that was filled with talent, excitement and all for a great cause. Peak Events did an amazing job coordinating this tournament to benefit Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The Arizona Wildcats swept the weekend games with a 4-0 record defeating Oklahoma twice, Dallas Baptist and Missouri.
The Frisco Classic will continue to feature four of the country's top collegiate baseball programs at Dr. Pepper Ballpark through 2026 as the Frisco RoughRiders and Peak Events have extended their agreement. Make sure to enjoy some great baseball for a great cause again next year.
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