Virginia Tech drubs Oklahoma 14-8 to force showdown

Jun 11, 2022, 1:21 AM | Updated: 1:24 pm

Virginia Tech's Jack Hurley (31) flips after being tagged by Oklahoma catcher Jimmy Crooks (3) in the fifth inning of an NCAA college baseball tournament super regional game Saturday, June 11, 2022, Blacksburg, Va. (AP Photo/Matt Gentry)

(AP Photo/Matt Gentry)

Oklahoma head baseball coach Skip Johnson makes a pitching change in the sixth inning of an NCAA college baseball tournament super regional game against Virginia Tech Saturday, June 11, 2022, Blacksburg, Va. (AP Photo/Matt Gentry)

Virginia Tech's Carson Jones (29) hits a single scoring two runs in the sixth inning of an NCAA college baseball tournament super regional game against Oklahoma Saturday, June 11, 2022, Blacksburg, Va. (AP Photo/Matt Gentry)

Virginia Tech's Carson Jones (29) is tagged while trying to steal second base by Oklahoma Jackson Nicklaus (15) in the sixth inning of an NCAA college baseball tournament super regional game Saturday, June 11, 2022, Blacksburg, Va. (AP Photo/Matt Gentry)

Virginia Tech's Tanner Schobel (8) center, celebrates a home run in the fifth inning of an NCAA college baseball tournament super regional game against Oklahoma Saturday, June 11, 2022, Blacksburg, Va. (AP Photo/Matt Gentry)

Virginia Tech's Cade Hunter (17) scores past Oklahoma pitcher Carson Atwood (34) on a passed ball in the fifth inning of an NCAA college baseball tournament super regional game Saturday, June 11, 2022, Blacksburg, Va. (AP Photo/Matt Gentry)

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) — Nick Biddison hit two of No. 4 overall seed Virginia Tech’s five home runs, including one to lead off the game, and the Hokies stayed alive in the Blacksburg Super Regional with a 14-8 victory over Oklahoma on Saturday.

The win by Virginia Tech (45-12) forces a winner-take-all game with Oklahoma (40-22) on Sunday for a berth in the College World Series. The Sooners beat the Hokies 5-4 in Friday’s opener. The Sooners are aiming for their 11th CWS appearance — winning the event in 1951 and 1994. Virginia Tech has never been to the CWS and just won its first regional tournament.

Gavin Cross and Cade Hunter hit two-run shots in the third to put Virginia Tech ahead 5-0.

Oklahoma scored three in the bottom of the third — on a RBI single by Blake Robertson and a two-run single by Jimmy Crooks — and added another run in the fourth on a solo homer by Brett Squires to get within 5-4.

The Hokies pulled away with a four-run fifth — sparked by Tanner Shobel’s lead-off home run. Carson Jones’ two-run single in the sixth led to three runs and a 12-5 lead. Biddison capped the scoring with a solo homer in the ninth.

Jonah Hurney (6-1) pitched four shutout innings in relief to get the win. He allowed just two hits, striking out seven.

David Sandlin (8-4) took the loss for Oklahoma, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks in 3 2/3 innings. He struck out six.

More AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25

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