No. 16 OU Takes Series at Vandy with Rubber Match Win

Saturday, April 11

Nashville, TN

1 p.m.

University of Oklahoma

24-11, 7-8

Vanderbilt

21-16, 7-8

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Oklahoma	0	0	3	1	1	0	0	1	0	6	8	0
Vanderbilt	0	0	2	0	3	0	0	0	0	5	3	2

No. 16 OU Takes Series at Vandy with Rubber Match Win

April 11, 2026 | Baseball

Box Score Final Stats Highlights Bedlam Tickets

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — No. 16 Oklahoma took the series at Vanderbilt Saturday afternoon with a 6-5 win.

OU (24-11, 7-8 SEC) got production throughout the lineup, including Jason Walk's first home run of the season and a go-ahead RBI from Kyle Branch, to take its third SEC series of the year.

On the mound, OU's staff of Kadyn Leon, Nate Smithburg, Isaac Williams, Mason Bixby and Jackson Cleveland combined to strike out 14 Vandy batters and allow just three hits. The Commodores (21-16, 7-8) did not register a base hit until the fifth inning.

OU righty starter Leon went three innings and struck out four while allowing two runs on two walks and no hits. Late reliever Mason Bixby and closer Jackson Cleveland combined for 4.1 shutout innings with Bixby fanning five to Cleveland's two. Cleveland collected his sixth save of the season and second in as many days while Bixby earned his second win of the season in relief.

The Sooners jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the third inning via solo home run from Walk and a two-run single from Brendan Brock. Vandy answered with a pair in the home half to pull within one.

OU stretched the lead back to three runs at the top of the fifth on an RBI double from Deiten Lachance. The Commodores answered again in the bottom of the fifth on a three-run home run from Brodie Johnston to tie the game.

To the eighth inning, after a walk drawn by Dayton Tockey and throwing error, Branch ripped the go-ahead single down the left line. After entering Saturday with no hits in the series, Branch paced OU with a 2-for-4 performance in game three.

Vanderbilt put the tying run on base in the bottom of the ninth but a groundout, strikeout and pop up induced by Cleveland gave OU the series win.

Pitchers of Record

Win: Mason Bixby (2-0)
Loss: Nate Schlote (2-1)
Save: Jackson Cleveland (6)

Statistical Snapshot

Kyle Branch | 2-for-4, 2 RBI
Brendan Brock | 2-for-4, 2 RBI
Jason Walk | 1-for-3, 1 HR, 1 RBI
Kadyn Leon | 3.0 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
Mason Bixby | 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
Jackson Cleveland | 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

Notes

OU moved to 24-11 on the year, 7-8 in SEC play and 6-6 in true road games.
The Sooners are 3-2 in SEC series on the year with two of the three wins coming on the road.
OU moved to 6-3 in one-run games this season.
Jason Walk hit his first home run of the season and 13th of his career on a solo shot in the third inning.
OU homered in its fourth straight game.
Kyle Branch recorded his third multi-hit game of the season and third multi-RBI contest.
Brendan Brock had his 10th multi-hit game and 10th multi-RBI showing. Brock also tied a career high with three stolen bases. He's the first Sooner to steal three bags since Jason Walk vs. UTA (3/11/26).
Mason Bixby moved to an undefeated 2-0 on the mound with the relief win, striking out a season-high-tying five with no hits, runs or walks.
Jackson Cleveland earned his second straight save and sixth of the season, good for a tie of first in the SEC.
OU pitching struck out double-digit batters (14) for the 22nd time in 35 games.

Up Next

The Sooners meet in-state foe Oklahoma State (21-13) Tuesday night at ONEOK Field in Tulsa at 7 p.m. CT. It will be the second and final installment of Bedlam this season as the Sooners took the first matchup 10-1 at the Shriners College Showdown at Globe Life Field on opening weekend.

The game can be seen via SECN+ and heard on the radio via The REF 99.3/1400 AM with Toby Rowland on the call. Tickets are available via MLB.tickets.com.

For updates and more information on Oklahoma baseball, follow the Sooners on X and Instagram (@OU_Baseball) and like Oklahoma Baseball on Facebook.