Streaky Oklahoma baseball on another heater | Big 12 Conference power rankings
Big 12, do we finally have separation at the top? If so, how long can it last?
Each of the previous three weekends ended with three baseball teams bunched within one game at the top. Now after last weekend, Oklahoma goes into the last week of April with a three-game lead.
The Sooners swept their conference series last weekend at Brigham Young, then kept hitting refresh and seeing Oklahoma State and West Virginia lose ground in the standings. West Virginia got swept for only the second time in 24 Big 12 series, scoring seven runs in three losses at Texas Tech. Oklahoma State salvaged its Sunday game to dodge a sweep at Kansas State.
There's no time for the Sooners to enjoy it, though. The conference's most high-stakes series this coming weekend is Oklahoma hosting Texas, which has won five of six Big 12 series.
And if the Sooners slip? Oklahoma State, West Virginia and Texas are tied for second, waiting to pounce.
Here are this week's Big 12 baseball power rankings. Records and rankings in the USA TODAY Sports Top 25 coaches poll are as of Monday.
1. Oklahoma (24-14, 14-4)
Last week: 3
What to know: The 18th-ranked Sooners are a little streaky for our liking. For the second time this season, they've swept two conference series in a row, but they laid a 5-8 stretch in between.
2. Oklahoma State (26-14, 11-7)
Last week: 1
What to know: Kansas State ended Oklahoma State's run of four Big 12 series victories in a row. Somehow, the 22nd-ranked Cowboys lost on back-to-back days with Sam Garcia and Brian Holiday on the mound for the third time this season, same as in the Sam Houston State and Central Florida series.
More: How Oklahoma State baseball's Jaxson Crull fought his way into a meaningful role
3. Texas (24-17, 11-7)
Last week: 4
What to know: Max Grubbs, Ace Whitehead and Lebarron Johnson Jr. all delivered quality starts in a series victory against TCU. Freshman Casey Borba went 4 for 7 with two doubles and five RBI in 7-0 and 2-1 triumphs.
More: Johnson, Borba lead Texas baseball team to series-clinching victory over TCU
4. West Virginia (23-16, 11-7)
Last week: 2
What to know: The Mountaineers stranded nine runners in scoring position in a 6-4 loss Sunday at Texas Tech and left five in scoring position in a 3-1 loss in the doubleheader nightcap.
5. Texas Tech (29-13, 12-9)
Last week: 6
What to know: It's not just sweeping a hot West Virginia team that has Texas Tech spirits perking up. The Red Raiders led No. 2 Arkansas on the road in two games last week before losing 5-4 and 9-8.
More: Texas Tech baseball lets another late lead slip away against Arkansas
6. Central Florida (24-13, 8-10)
Last week: 5
What to know: UCF leads the Big 12 in team ERA (4.24) and fewest hits, walks and runs allowed.
7. Kansas State (24-15, 9-9)
Last week: 7
What to know: The Wildcats had lost three conference series in a row. It was good to snap that skid against Oklahoma State, last week's No. 1 in these rankings.
8. Cincinnati (23-18, 9-9)
Last week: 8
What to know: Only once have the Bearcats lost three games in a row, thanks to their strong hitting. Only once have they won four in a row, thanks to their spotty pitching.
9. Kansas (21-15, 9-9)
Last week: 9
What to know: Senior catcher Jake English is having a career year with 12 homers, 41 RBIs and a Big 12-best 1.214 OPS. He helped the Jayhawks bounce back from a rare rocky start by Big 12 wins leader Reese Dutton (7-2, 3.05) to win the series at Baylor.
10. TCU (23-15, 8-13)
Last week: 10
What to know: TCU would miss the 10-team Big 12 tournament if it started today. That's a long fall from a College World Series last season and a 13-0 start and top-five national ranking this season.
11. Baylor (18-20, 9-9)
Last week: 11
What to know: Left fielder Wesley Jordan has a 29-game on-base streak and a team-high seven home runs.
12. Brigham Young (15-21, 6-15)
Last week: 12
What to know: The Cougars were plenty competitive early in conference play. Now they've been swept by Kansas, Baylor and Oklahoma in their past four Big 12 series.
13. Houston (20-20, 6-15)
Last week: 13
What to know: Cougars have lost 15 of their past 17 conference games. They stopped the bleeding with a victory Sunday at Cincinnati.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Streaky Oklahoma baseball on another heater | Big 12 Conference power rankings
