Jimmy Crooks makes bold claim for CWS Finals after Oklahoma advances
Oklahoma‘s Jimmy Crooks made a bold claim for the Sooners’ upcoming CWS Finals appearance after defeating Texas A&M on Wednesday. Crooks set up his team for success early with a three-run home run in the first inning that would be enough of a cushion for pitcher David Sandlin to dominate on the mound.
Jimmy Crooks on Oklahoma’s success
“It’s unexplainable. It’s a loss of words,” said Crooks about reaching the CWS Finals. “All the hard work that we’ve been doing has been paying off. Job’s not finished yet so we’ve still got work to do.
“Everybody did there job and everybody had a role today. David [Sandlin was] outstanding and Trevin [Michael] closing the door right there was awesome. We’re gonna be aggressive on the base paths and with our hitting and that’s what we did. We just showed up and we’ve gotta keep going.
“We’ve always been the little dog, we’re gonna keep fighting all the way through. So we’re just gonna prove all the haters wrong. So, no doubt. Like I said, job’s not finished yet, we’re just gonna keep doing our thing.”
The Sooners are the first team to punch their ticket to the final after going undefeated in their side of the bracket. They await the winner of Arkansas and Ole Miss as they play Wednesday night. If Ole Miss wins, they will join Oklahoma in the final as both teams were undefeated in Omaha. If Arkansas wins, it will force a Thursday night matchup with the winner advancing.
David Sandlin on Oklahoma advancing, playing for his sister
Sandlin had an incredible day on the mound to propel the Sooners into the CWS Finals, pitching seven innings and allowing just five hits and one earned run — while giving up one walk and earning 12 strikeouts.
He closed his on-field interview after the game with a touching moment where he was asked about his sister and biggest fan, Holli. Sandlin’s sister passed away last month after battling cancer, and the Sooners’ star makes sure to play games like he knows she’s watching still.
“I know she’s tuned in to every game now, she gets to watch all that. She hasn’t got to be here all year. So every time I go out there I get to play for her, and play for a higher power.”