Ben Abram delivers a pitch for Oklahoma State against Oklahoma at the Big 12 Championship Friday night. (Photo courtesy of the Big 12 Conference)
By Matthew Tallarini
World Baseball Network
ARLINGTON, Texas – Oklahoma State brought the lumber and pitching against their in-state rivals from Norman Friday.
The Cowboys went on to beat the Sooners 8-3 eliminating the University of Oklahoma for the Big 12 conference tournament.
In the bottom of the second inning, Oklahoma State first baseman David Mendham drove a three-run home run to left field, scoring Colin Brueggemann and Nolan Schubart to go up 3-0.
A few batters later, Roc Riggio roped a single to center field, scoring shortstop Marcus Brown to make it 4-0. The next batter, right fielder Carson Benge hit a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring center fielder Zach Erhard to make it 5-0 Cowboys.
In the top of the fifth Oklahoma’s John Spikerman got hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, pushing Jackson Nicklaus scross for the Sooners first run of the game.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Cowboys second baseman Riggio drove a sacrifice fly to left and Nolan McLean came in to make it 6-1.
Oklahoma State starting pitcher Ben Abraham threw six innings, allowing six hits, one earned run, no walks, and striking out three batters. The Cowboys allowed four hits, walking two batters, and striking out four during last night’s win.
Oklahoma State also snapped Sooners left fielder Kendall Pettis’s 25 game-on-base-streak as he went 0 for 5 during yesterday’s loss.
“I don’t think about what could have happened over the last 24 hours. I can’t speak for the kids, but we try to talk to them about not doing that,” said Sooners head coach Skip Johnson. “We talk about winning pitches, about winning innings because that’s what separates us and what the game is about. It’s hard for those guys to understand that you keep preaching it, maybe it will stick. We did a really good job in the last three or four weeks understanding how to win the inning. It’s taken hold a little bit. “
The Sooners will have to wait until Monday to see if they get into the NCAA Tournament.
“Dave’s homer and then obviously the late two run single, I think probably created enough separation and made it a difficult comeback for them,” said Oklahoma head coach Josh Holliday. “6-3 is a lot different than 8-3, so clutch hitting, lots of strikes, great infield defense. [We had a] really, really well-played game for the third game of the tournament.”
The Cowboys remain alive and have their eyes on their fourth Big 12 Championship title in program history and the first since 2019.
The Cowboys will play the Texas Tech Red Raiders on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN+.
Saturday Big 12 Championship Schedule
Game 11: 10 a.m EDT – (4) TCU vs. (5) Kansas State – ESPN+
Game 12: 1:30 p.m. EDT – (6) Texas Tech vs. (2) Oklahoma State – ESPN+
Game 13: 5 p.m. EDT – Game 11 Loser vs. Game 11 Winner (if necessary) – ESPN+
Game 14: 5 p.m. EDT or 8:30 p.m. EDT – Game 12 Loser vs. Game 12 Winner (if necessary) – ESPN+