TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – On Saturday, May 30, the Oklahoma State Cowboys defeated the Alabama State Hornets 8-7 in 11 innings. With the win, Oklahoma State stays alive in the Tuscaloosa regional as they eliminate the Hornets from postseason contention.
Oklahoma State head coach Josh Holliday talked about his team’s win in a tight battle at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.
“There was a lot of grit on display,” Holliday said. “They emptied the tank for this one and showed a lot of emotional maturity. I want to compliment the way Alabama State played as well.”
Kollin Ritchie and Colin Brueggemann with home runs
Kollin Ritchie and Colin Brueggemann came up big for Oklahoma State with home runs in the win over the Hornets. Brueggemann broke the scoreless tie in the fourth inning with a grand slam off Alabama State starting pitcher James Peterson.
It was the first baseman’s 17th home run of the season, as he continued the best power-hitting year of his career. Holliday talked about how big Brueggemann has been for the Cowboys in his career.
“He has had so many great moments over the years,” Holliday said. “He has had many big swings before, and hopefully he has some more in him for this weekend.”
Ritchie hit his 30th home run of the season for Oklahoma State in the top of the 11th inning. That would end up being the game-winning run, and the Oklahoma State center fielder became the fourth player in program history to reach the 30-home run mark in a season.
Ritchie now has a .321 batting average this season and was named first-team All-Big 12.
Mario Pesca talks 78-pitch relief outing, earns the win on the mound
Senior right-handed pitcher Mario Pesca earned his seventh win of the season on the mound against Alabama State. The Bronx, N.Y.-native threw 78 pitches in relief. In 3 2/3 innings of work, he struck out four of the Hornets’ hitters.
Despite it not being the prettiest of outings, he was able to outlast Alabama State enough to keep the Cowboys alive in the NCAA Tournament. He talked about his big relief outing with World Baseball Network.
“I love this program and this team so much,” Pesca said. “I wasn’t going to let it die. Instead of pitching not to lose, I just thought about how what I was doing was for the team and the program.”
Up next for Oklahoma State
The Oklahoma State Cowboys will now await the loser of the Tuscaloosa regional night game between USC Upstate and Alabama. They will play the loser of that game to stay alive in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, May 31, at 3 p.m. ET.
WBN NCAA: https://worldbaseball.com/league/ncaa/
PHOTO: Oklahoma State pitcher Mario Pesca (66) celebrates finishing the game with a win in an 8-7, 11-inning victory over Alabama State at an NCAA regional baseball game on Saturday, May 30, 2026, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
