In a rematch of a couple of weeks ago, the Kentucky Wildcats and Oklahoma met in the opening round of the 2025 SEC Tournament for a chance to play Georgia on Wednesday.

Kentucky and Oklahoma met two weeks ago in Lexington at Kentucky Proud Park in a series. The Wildcats took all three games against the Sooners, earning the Wildcats an at-large bid to an NCAA Regional. Both Kentucky and Oklahoma lost their weekend series last weekend. Kentucky got swept by Vanderbilt, and Oklahoma lost two out of three at home against Texas.

Kentucky and Oklahoma came into the matchup on Tuesday of the SEC Tournament in similar situations. Currently, D1 Baseball has both in an NCAA Regional next weekend. Still, they could use a win or two in Hoover to feel safe about their position heading into the Selection Show on Monday afternoon. Both programs also seemed to be right there but could never seem to get over the hump this season.

With it being a weird Tuesday game on short rest, Kentucky started Scott Rouse, while the Sooners went with Jaden Barfield in the first round of the 2025 SEC Tournament. Barfield lasted two more innings than Rouse, giving the Sooners four complete innings, giving up a solo run, four hits, and three strikeouts. Rouse finished his day for Kentucky after 2.1 innings pitched, giving up four hits and three runs with two strikeouts.

Kentucky jumped out to an early 1-0 lead over the Sooners in the top half of the third inning off a fielding error by the Oklahoma third baseman. Oklahoma responded in the bottom of the third inning with a base hit that scored one and a two-run shot from Jason Walk to take a 3-1 lead over the Wildcats. Oklahoma would add another run in the bottom of the 6th inning to make it 4-1 Sooners. Oklahoma would add another insurance run in the bottom of the 8th inning to give the Sooners a 5-1 victory over Kentucky.

With the win, Oklahoma advances to play Georgia on Wednesday in the second round of the 2025 SEC Tournament.

Photo Credits- OU Baseball on X