Cowboys pick the perfect time to heat up
‘Gritty Pokes’ are hot at the right part of the season
Josh Holliday’s Oklahoma State baseball teams tend to produce late-season surges.
Not this late, maybe, under the most intense of pressures.
But hey, it’s not too late — yet.
“I think this team is finding its identity, just like we did last year at this time,” said Cowboys starting pitcher Tyler Buffett, referencing that team’s run to the College World Series. “We’re gritty Pokes.
“We’re going to go out there and work, and we’re going to win. We’re going to fight and do what we need to do. It’s time.” In the nick of time. A week ago, OSU’s outlook was dire. The Cowboys stood below .500 at 24-25 overall and had lost six straight into the Bedlam series, where they needed two Saturday wins to even qualify for the Big 12 Tournament as the No. 8 and final seed.
Of course, they swept Oklahoma to arrive in Bricktown. And now, this Saturday, they’ve added two tournament wins to stand unbeaten and one more win away from Sunday’s Big 12 championship game. The Cowboys play at 9 a.m. against West Virginia, needing to win one of a possible two games to advance.
Suddenly, the vibe surrounding OSU baseball has been transformed, from dreary to dreamy — postseason dreamy, with the Big 12 Tournament title offering the league’s automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.
Already, the Pokes have beaten two projected NCAA Tournament teams, West Virginia and Texas Tech, the latter the league co-champion and the nation’s No. 3-ranked squad.
“Guys are going out there and just playing,” Buffett said. “It’s something you can’t really
We’re gritty Pokes. We’re going to go out there and work, and we’re going to win. We’re going to fight and do what we need to do. It’s time.” OSU starting pitcher Tyler Buffett
describe, it’s something you just feel. And we’re feeling it right now. We’ve just to continue feeling it.”
There’s been talk of momentum and renewed confidence. But the Cowboys are playing and pitching better, too.
Veterans Dustin Williams and Ryan Sluder have shaken season-long slumps to lengthen the batting order’s production.
The bullpen, once a source of concern, is providing late-game lockdowns with emerging Carson Teel and Trey Cobb, who continues to gain strength following winter arm surgery.
“Everybody’s playing really well,” said Cowboys catcher Colin Simpson. “Our defense is nails. Our pitching is nails.
“Our vibe right now, we’re feeling really good about ourselves, and we’re really confident in our game play right now. And we’re just going to stick with it.”
While OSU’s record lagged throughout the season, a deeper dive into their season storyline reveals more. Injuries to weekend starting pitchers Jensen Elliott and Parker Scott.
Cobb’s elbow injury, which limited him even after his return in late March. Seven conference losses either by one run or in extra innings.
An influx of freshmen into key roles, which is finally paying dividends.
Now, the Cowboys are surging late. Again.
“Their backs are against the wall,” said West Virginia coach Randy Mazey. “Anytime somebody plays with their backs against the wall, you find out the character of their team. I knew this was a good group all along. They got hurt with injuries. And sometimes there are guys on your team when he gets hurt, your whole team gets hurt.
“They’re grinding it out right now. They’re a confident bunch.”