July 2, 2022 Issue, Page 4 of 20

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Sports July 2, 2022 OU football: Baker Mayfield ‘ready to Despite season-ending move on’ from Cleveland Browns loss, Cade Horton Jesse Crittenden The Norman Transcript “I think I have more fun than the kids do,” Mayfield became cloudier when the Browns traded for former Mayfield’s eventual return has increased in the midst of puts on pitching said during his media avail- Houston quarterback Deshaun The last time Baker May- ability. “[It’s great] just to be Watson in March. field made a public appear- able to come out here and have sexual assault lawsuits against Watson. Tuesday marks the Mayfield requested a trade NEL's initial disciplinary hear- clinic at MCWS ance in Norman back in April, fun, get some fundamentals in, a few days later and has been ing against Watson, who could his future with the Cleveland teach them a few things. away from the team. face a year-long suspension. Jesse Crittenden, The Norman Transcript Browns was unclear. “But really, it’s just to en- “I think it’s been pretty ob- Mayfield didn’t rule out Not much has chanced joy the game of football. That's vious the mutual decision on a return but didn’t make it OMAHA, Neb. — After struggling on both sides of the ball since then. But Tuesday morn- what it’s all about, having fun both sidesis to move on,” May- sound likely, either. in a Game 1 loss to Ole Miss in the Men's College World Series, ing at Reaves Park, Mayfield while you're doing it. That's field said. “I think for that to happen, wasn’t shy about voicing his what I’m trying to get back to.” “{ think I got frustrated there would have to be some Oklahoma simply needed a spark in Sunday’s Game 2. feelings towards his current ‘That enjoyment has been a with [a trade] not happening reaching out,” Mayfield said. ‘They just needed someone to step up. team. priority as the distance contin- before mini-camp and all those “But we're ready to move on, Within just a few pitches, it became clear that redshirt The former Oklahoma ues to grow between Mayfield things,” Mayfield said. “But on both sides.” freshman Cade Horton was the guy to do it. quarterback returned to host and the Browns. that’s the stuff that’s out of my Despite the uncertainty, a youth football camp at his ‘The former NFL No, 1 pick control... So right now I'm just Mayfield said the plan was to ‘The Norman native got the start on the mound and imme- alma mater, where he helped started nearly 60 games for controlling what I can and en- host the youth footballcamp in diately went to work. It took Horton just eight pitches to retire lead dozens of kids through the Browns, which included a joying this.” Norman, and the day at Reaves all three of the Rebels’ batters in the first inning. In the second drills. It was a notable return playoff win in 2020. But May- ‘The trade for Watson in- Park served as a reset for the inning, he surrendered his first hit but immediately responded for Mayfield, who had hosted field struggled for much of last cluded three first-round draft Heisman Trophy winner. his annual camp in Ohio in re- season after playing through picks, indicating Cleveland’s “It’s always great to come with three consecutive strikeouts. cent years. a torn labrum, recording 17 decision for him to be the fran- back here and feel that love He kept dealing, breaking the MCWS record with 13 strike- It’s the second time May- touchdowns and 13 intercep- chise’s new starting quarter- and relive my glory days,” May- outs while surrendering just four hits and two runs. But it field has returned to Norman tions. back. Shortly after the trade, field said. “It’s just fun to come wasn’t enough, as a late Ole Miss rally ended the Sooners sea- in recent months, including his Cleveland was noncom- Watson signed a $230 million back and give back just to show son ina 4-2 loss. appearance for his Heisman mittal about Mayfield’s fu- dollar contract with the fran- that I really do about this place. Trophy dedication during the ture with the team following chise. ‘They helped mold me into who ‘The loss wasn’t from a lack of effort on Horton’s part. April spring game. the season, and the situation However, speculation on Tam today.” Horton crossed the 100-pitch threshold in the seventh in- ning after striking out all three Ole Miss batters. It was crucial after the Sooners scored two runs in the top of the frame to OU baseball: Momentum slips away from take a one-run lead. ‘The tough part for OU coach Skip Johnson came in the eighth inning, After the Sooners’ offense failed to score in the Sooners late, Rebels complete sweep top of the frame, Johnson opted to put Horton back on the mound. Tarik Masri, The Norman ruled safe, giving the Sooners ‘The ruling not only gave the the night before. Still, start- “He wanted to go back out that inning, and I said one guy a 1-0 lead as Boomer Sooner Rebels their second out of the ing pitcher Cade Horton came gets [a hit], we're going to go to Trevin [Michael],” Johnson played over the stadium's game, it took away the Soon- right back to retire the final OMAHA, Neb. — Okla- speakers. ers’ lone run and forced Nick- two batters in three pitches. said. “You could see him on the mound. That’s what you want homa flipped the momentum It was their first lead laus to return to third base. The Sooners offense was out of a young man. Sooner or later, we as coaches and as pitch- in their favor late, but couldn’t through 15 innings in the ‘According to NCAA Rule hang on in a 4-2 loss in Game MCWS final, but the momen- 2-51: “if the batter-runner has able to build on their sixth in- ing coach as I am, I got to take the ball out of his hand because 2 of the Men's College World tum wouldn’t last long. not touched first base at the ning success with doubles by he's going to go until he can’t go anymore. That's in his DNA. Series final Sunday. Moments later, Ole Miss time of interference, all run- Jimmy Crooks and Nicklaus In the top of the sixth in- head coach Mike Bianco came ners shall return to the base to tie the game 1-1. Sebastian He's going to battle you.” ning, John Spikerman stepped out of the dugout to protest last occupied at the time of the Orduno was hit by a pitch and Horton struck out the first batter but surrendered a single into the batter’s box with one the call. The Rebels challenged pitch.” Kendall Pettis was walked to on the next pitch, and Johnson turned to the Sooners’ closer, out anda runner on third base. the call on the field, and it was With only one out on the give the Sooners a 2-1 lead. ‘The right fielder laid down a determined that Spikerman board, Peyton Graham's fly “Well, Imean, they’re going Trevin Michael. bunt toward the left foul line came off of the base path and out to right field during the to fight. That's one thing that Michael, who had been a key part of the Sooners’ pitching and took off for first base. interfered with the throw to next at-bat would’ve advanced Ole Miss starting pitcher first base. they've done all year long,” the runners, instead the half rotation, struggled to contain the Rebels batters, as Ole Miss Mason Elliott didn’t have inning ended with Nicklaus Johnson said. “They've fought “The rule says that you have rattled off three runs to close the inning and seal the win. enough time to throw Jackson to (challenge) within 30 sec- stranded on third base. Four and they've fought and they've Amid the celebration after the game, Ole Miss redshirt Nicklaus out at home plate, onds and not be able to look pitches into the bottom of fought and they've battled and sophomore TJ McCants and assistant coach Carl Lafferty and chose to try to make the at the video board.” OU head the sixth inning, Ole Miss re- battled. That's a part of their easy out at first base. coach Skip Johnson said about sponded with a solo home run DNA, and that’s a part of what found Horton to congratulate him. ‘The throw to first was go- the review. “That’s what the by Jacob Gonzalez to take a1-0 the University of Oklahoma “They just told me good job, and they said I did a hell of a ing to be close, but the ball was rule says. Maybe there’s some lead. thrown wide of the first base- discrepancies of it. But that’s ‘The sequence was a major has taught them to do and our job,” Horton said. “I have a lot of respect for those guys, and man, nearly hitting Spikerman what I also love about the game gut punch for a team facing culture has taught them how they did a great job.” as he reached the bag. He was is the human element.” elimination after a 10-3 loss to do. I'm really proud of those While the Sooners fell just short, Horton’s performance guys.” But just as quickly as the capped off what wasa stellar season. Providing comfort and, Supportfor End of Life cholces Sooners took the lead, the Reb- After missing all of last season due to Tommy Johns sur- els were able to take it right gery, the Norman High School graduate started the season back. Three of the team’s first at third base. He became a regular part of the Sooners’ pitch- Hospice care provides medical services, emotional support, and spiritual re- four batters singled to tie the ing rotation following their three-game series with Oklahoma sources for people who are in the last stages of a serious illness, such as cancer game 2-2. Ole Miss scored two more State in April, eventually becoming the second starter. or heart failure. Hospice care also helps family members manage the practical runs on wild pitches to turn a He came on strong during the postseason, including an details and emotional challenges of caring for a dying loved one. 2-1 deficit into a 4-2 lead with 11-strikeout performance in the Sooners’ Round 2 MCWS win just three outs remaining. Ole For questions regarding hospice service or eligibility, contact: Miss reliever Brandon John- ‘over Notre Dame Sunday. He threw nine strikeouts or more in son struck out all three Okla- each of his last five starts. Carrie Perry, RN/ Adminsistrator homa batters in the top of the ninth to secure the program's But for Horton, the biggest takeaway from the Sooners’ season was the chemistry. Pat Welsh, RN/ Coordinator of Patient Ca first national title. ‘The Rebels became the first “This team is second to none,” Horton said. “I'll remem- team since LSU in 2000 to win ber these guys for the rest of my life. It’s a close-knit group in Some of the most common conditions ar a title game when trailing after there.” * Cancer * Failure to Thrive * End Stage Cardiac Disease (CHF) seven innings. It was the only Horton’s performance has even propelled his draft stock. game Ole Miss won all season * End Stage Cerebrovascular Disease (CVA) * End Stage Amyotrophic after trailing after the seventh Some MLB draft experts suggest Horton would be highly cov- Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) * End Stage Pulmonary Disease (COPD) inning. eted if he forgoes his remaining college eligibility and declares for the draft, with some projecting him as high as a first or sec- ¢ + End Stage Liver Disease * End Stage Renal Disease * AIDS/HIV “What they did and what + End Stage Neurological Disease such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer’s they accomplished was incred- ible,” Johnson said about the ond round pick. “T still don’t think he’s a finished product,” Johnson said. season. “We've got to continue “He's really good. I get it. But he’s got poise. He’s got demeanor. carrie to grow as a team. We've got to Perry, RN Professional, Passionate — I’m just happy in that sense. He's regurgitating everything that we talk about — one pitch Mad, pissed off about losing. at a time, going to releases, taking deep breaths, staying in his Advance, Attentive... T'm not happy about that.” routines. Oklahoma was held to a Our Difference Is Our Care “He's talking like a guy that’s a professional, and he’s still postseason-low three hits in 1 the game after being held to got a lot to grow in that area. and I’m so proud of him.” just five in Game 1. Nicklaus But Horton's focus postgame was on getting back to Oma- was the only OU batter to Have you ever considered becoming ha. come away with more than one “We'll be back. I know that because this team laid the foun- a hospice volunteer? hit in the series. dation for the future of Oklahoma baseball.” ‘The Sooners finished as the A fulfilling experience in the spirit national runners-up for the Horton finished the season with a 5.24 ERA, recording 64 of giving and receiving. first time in program history. strikeouts and surrendering 30 runs in 54 innings pitched. Start your subscription today! Call 580-225-3000 or stop by 109 W. Broadway in Elk City