Oklahoma State first baseman Colin Brueggemann is now a seasoned college baseball veteran heading into the 2026 season.
In 2025, he had a .303 batting average with 11 doubles, 15 home runs, and 54 RBIs. The 2025 season was his best year in terms of hitting home runs with the Cowboys. He was second on the team in home runs behind Nolan Schubart.
Brueggemann discussed the success he achieved in 2025 with World Baseball Network.
“I feel like last year I made a lot of adjustments from my junior to senior year,” the first baseman said. “I worked on not moving as much in the box and not making my head move. To be honest, I really just kept it simpler. Everything kind of just took off from there.”
Oklahoma State Fighting Through Injuries in 2025
The Cowboys were plagued by injuries in 2025. Despite missing key players, Oklahoma State was still able to make the NCAA Tournament for the 12th straight season.
The Cowboys played in the Athens regional and won two games against the Binghamton Bearcats and Georgia Bulldogs. They made it all the way to the regional final before being knocked out in the end by the Duke Blue Devils.
Brueggemann talked about Oklahoma State’s ability to fight through the injuries to put together a solid season.
“I was really proud of how we handled it,” Brueggemann stated. “There were some ups and downs throughout the year, but I think a lot of teams might have packed it in mid-season. There were times when people didn’t think we were going to make a regional at all. Nonetheless, we went out there and competed.”
Brueggemann Talks About Fellow Veterans, Avery Ortiz and Aidan Meola
Oklahoma State has a couple more experienced players returning in 2026, like Avery Ortiz and Aidan Meola.
Both Ortiz and Meola had injuries in 2025, but together some good numbers when they were healthy.
Ortiz had a .283 batting average with four doubles, three home runs, and six RBIs. Meola had five doubles and 10 RBIs in 47 total at-bats before the season-ending injury he suffered against Illinois State.
Brueggemann talked about his two teammates and how excited he is to play alongside them again in 2026.
“Aidan [Meola] is one of our leaders,” Brueggemann said. “Obviously, he’s been here for five years. He knows the ropes — he’s been around. We’re expecting him to be big for us.”
“Avery [Ortiz] is really good at defense and hitting,” he added. “He can really do it all, honestly. So, I’m excited for those guys, and for this team too. I think we’re going to be healthy this year, and it’s going to be exciting.”
Opening Day Matchup Against the Arkansas Razorbacks, Expectations for 2026
Oklahoma State will begin the 2026 college baseball season at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas in the Shriners Children’s College Showdown.
On opening day, February 13, they will play the Arkansas Razorbacks, who played in the College World Series last season.
Brueggemann talked about this highly anticipated matchup for the Cowboys.
“I learned early that it is always a big game,” Brueggemann said. “We’ve played them before since I’ve been here, and they do travel well. It’s going to be a lot of fun playing them on opening day. I’m expecting it to be loud.”
After a year full of ups and downs, Oklahoma State has a chip on their shoulder for 2026. Brueggemann told World Baseball Network that the team has its sights set on big things this spring.
“As far as expectations go, we want to go to Omaha,” the first baseman stated. “We want to win the Big 12 regular season title, compete in the tournament, and we want to go to Omaha. I personally think this is going to be a great year. I am really excited.”
NCAA news: https://worldbaseball.com/league/ncaa/
PHOTO: Courtesy of Oklahoma State Athletics
