Struggles with Texas Tech continue in tough weekend
STILLWATER — Oklahoma State’s winning streak reached a dozen games a week ago with Big 12 baseball play starting.
Then … kersplat.
The Cowboys’ win streak was snapped in an agonizing way Friday in an extra-inning loss at Texas Tech. After a bounceback Saturday, the Cowboys again stumbled Sunday.
Such is the way things go for OSU against the Red Raiders.
In a week the Cowboys began Big 12 play on a white-hot streak, their issues with the Red Raiders were on full display once again.
OSU has not won a series with the Red Raiders since 2017.
The series loss put a damper on the Cowboys’ recent run, but they have a chance to rebound this week at home against Baylor, a team that opened conference play with a series win over Kansas State.
Here is a look back at the week for OSU:
Top Oklahoma State player last week
Ben Abram, RHP: The big OU transfer had the rare two-start week, opening on the mound for three shut-out innings and six strikeouts in the rout of Dallas Baptist on Tuesday. But his best performance was a spot start in Saturday’s win at Texas Tech. The 6-foot-8, 262pound righty delivered six strong innings, allowing a run on six hits and three walks while striking out six. He threw 105 pitches just four days after throwing 35. Abram has become a needed workhorse early for the Cowboys.
Oklahoma State player on the rise
Tyler Wulfert, DH: A junior college transfer, Wulfert had a big weekend at the plate in Lubbock, just 120 miles from Midland College where he spent the past two seasons. He was 3 for 7 with two homers — both Saturday — a double, two RBIs and two runs scored. Wulfert entered the weekend with just 17 atbats and a .167 average. He raised that to .250.
Stat to know
4-17: The Cowboys’ regular season record against Texas Tech dating back to 2016, including an 0-9 record at home. OSU is 4-8 at Texas Tech, not including a 1-2 record in the 2019 NCAA Tournament super regional. Overall, including postseason, OSU is just 6-20 against the Red Raiders since 2016.
Cowboys’ defense falters
OSU entered the weekend as one of the top defensive teams in the Big 12, having committed just nine errors on the year.
But the defense struggled at Lubbock, especially Friday night.
The Cowboys committed four errors in the 10-inning loss, which led to three unearned runs. Pair the errors with walks — OSU allowed eight Friday — the door opened for a Texas Tech comeback from a 7-1 deficit midway through the game.
Then the big blow came in the 10th on a play that was not officially an error.
The Red Raiders had the winning run on second with two outs when Gavin Kash hit an opposite-field fly ball to the left-field corner. OSU freshman Nolan Schubart over-ran the ball and missed it, ending the game in a gut-wrenching way.
OSU also committed two errors in Sunday’s run-rule loss.
OSU’s offense continues to mash
These Cowboys can hit. Consider these numbers in a week they go .500: 38 total hits, 20 walks and 43 runs scored. OSU also had 19 extrabase hits in four games, including eight home runs and 10 doubles.
Two players had multi-homer games — Wulfert and catcher Chase Adkison, who homered only four times a year ago.
Star second baseman Roc Riggio also homered twice in four games.
Schubart also had three doubles on the week.