No. 5 Oklahoma State 12, No. 4 UCF 6 – The Oklahoma State Cowboys delivered everything expected from postseason baseball: highlight-reel defense and momentum swings in a commanding victory.
Both offenses wasted no time getting started. Each team pushed across a run in the first inning. While the bats delivered early, the defense stole the spotlight throughout the opening innings.
Oklahoma State left fielder Alex Conover provided one of the game’s best moments with a diving grab that likely saved at least one run, if not two. Not long after, UCF answered with a gem of its own when first baseman Landon Moran fully extended to make a diving grab, tossing a flip to starting pitcher Camden Wicker.
The Cowboys slowly began to gain momentum in the middle innings. Garrett Shull delivered an RBI single in the fourth inning to give his team a 2-1 advantage. Later in the frame, the Cowboys added another run when UCF shortstop Jordan Lodise bobbled a ground ball that was ultimately ruled a base hit, extending the lead to 3-1.
Just when Oklahoma State appeared to be taking control, UCF responded with what could have been the biggest swing of the day.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Knights third baseman Javier Crespo launched a game-tying three-run homer into the left-field bullpen, electrifying the dugout and evening the score at five. The blast shifted the momentum and brought new life to UCF, turning the game into a tense battle heading into the late innings.
The decisive moment finally arrived in the eighth.
Colin Brueggman lined a bases-clearing single to right field to cap a five-run eighth for the Cowboys, as Avery Ortiz scored all the way from first.
Even then, the Knights refused to go quietly.
Oklahoma State turned to Noah Wech in the ninth to secure the final three outs, but the closing sequence was anything but smooth. UCF loaded the bases and threatened to complete another comeback before Moran grounded into a game-ending double play to end the potential comeback opportunity.
The Cowboys advance to Thursday’s semi-finals, where they’ll play the winner of Kansas and Baylor, who face off Wednesday afternoon in Surprise.
Where to Watch – The first two days of the tournament will be broadcast on ESPN+. The quarterfinals on Thursday, May 21, will air live on ESPNU. The semifinals will be available on ESPN+, and you can watch Saturday’s championship game on ESPN2.
Big 12 Tournament Schedule
All Games at Surprise Stadium, Surprise, Ariz.
All Times Mountain Daylight Time
Tuesday, May 19
4:30 p.m. – BYU vs. Texas Tech – Game 1
8 p.m. – Utah vs. Kansas State – Game 2
Wednesday, May 20
4:30 p.m. – Baylor vs. Game 1 Winner – Game 3
8 p.m. – TCU vs. Game 2 Winner – Game 4
Thursday, May 21
9 a.m. – UCF vs. Oklahoma State – Game 5
12:30 p.m. – Kansas vs. Game 3 Winner – Game 6
4:30 p.m. – West Virginia vs. Game 4 Winner – Game 7
8 p.m. – Arizona State vs. Cincinnati – Game 8
Friday, May 22
4:30 p.m. – Game 5 Winner vs. Game 6 Winner
8 p.m. – Game 7 Winner vs. Game 8 Winner
Saturday, May 23
4:30 p.m. – Championship Game
