Last night, Oklahoma started their game by handing Missouri five runs in the first inning thanks to a variety of hits, errors, and hit batters. Tonight, their state rival Oklahoma State returned the favor. Two singles, two hit batters, and an error added up to three runs in the top of the first before much of the big crowd had settled into their seats. The third inning went even worse, as 11 Sooners came to the plate and eight of them scored, all unearned. Chuckie Caufield had a two-run triple and Ryan Rohlinger hit a homer that nearly cleared the advertising above the bleachers in left field. The Cowboys have already committed three errors, including two by All-Big 12 third baseman Tyler Mach.

BTW, I’ve spent the last two days sharing a booth with the visiting team’s radio crew, and though I haven’t seen everyone, OU’s team of play-by-play man Chuck Kelly and color commentator DeWayne Vaughn are my favorites. Both are extremely nice guys and have been very helpful and willing to answer my stupid questions. Kelly is an outstanding PBP man who really does a great job of working Vaughn into the broadcast. Vaughn got a cup of coffee in the majors, and clearly knows a lot about the game.

With Johnny Dorn struggling in the third inning of today’s game against Texas, Nebraska head coach Mike Anderson chose to go to the bullpen. Whom he chose to bring in affected two games.

Relief pitcher Tony Watson definitely affected today’s game, as you could argue that his 5.1 innings of shutout relief made him the game’s MVP.

But Watson was scheduled to be the starter in tomorrow’s championship game. Anderson said in the press conference that he will now start either soph left-hander Jon Klausing or freshman right-hander Tim Radmacher. Watson has been Nebraska’s ace this season, leading the Huskers in starts, wins, ERA, and innings pitched. Both Klausing and Radmacher auditioned as midweek starters this year, but they’re woefully lacking in Big 12 experience – Klausing pitched 1.1 innings in Big 12 play this season and allowed three runs; Radmacher has yet to pitch to a Big 12 team.

It was the right choice for Anderson to make. There’s no point in saving your ace for a game that you’re unlikely to get to, and without Watson’s performance today, Nebraska would probably be watching tomorrow’s game on TV.

But it was also a choice that made Kansas and Missouri very happy.