Cowboys Bounce Back Behind Lund’s Dominance, Crush Arizona 13-1
STILLWATER, Okla. — Ethan Lund opened the game for OSU with a 10-pitch inning, then, in the bottom, the Pokes scored 5 runs and sent 10 hitters to the plate, so, if there were any lingering effects to the disappointing game on Thursday, that flurry erased them ALL.
Then Lund kept dominating, then OSU kept scoring, then the game ended in a run rule, 13-1.
Ethan Lund delivered the best and most efficient outing of his career, in my opinion. I know, it’s JUST my opinion, but I can’t be convinced otherwise. OSU racked up 17 hits, went Gap Band four times, and struck out just 5 times. Arizona, meanwhile, was NOT competitive against the lefty Lund and struck out 13 times in a game that eliminated the Cats from the Big 12 tournament, and, almost assuredly, got OSU across the finish line and into the NCAA tournament.
Game three is Saturday, as Stormy Rhodes will get the ball coming off of a very “scrappy” outing last weekend in Arizona.
First pitch is set for 12:00 Noon!
Early Offensive Explosion Sets the Tone
Alex Conover got the party started in the bottom of the first with an oppo taco, and hit his 14th home run, and the Cowboys were off and running, and went all Forrest Gump on the Cats. Meaning, they never slowed down.
Conover has had a breakout season and is hitting.395 with a 1.195 OPS and now has 14 home runs and 34 RBIs on the season.
The Cowboys weren’t done, however, not close!
After Kollin Ritchie walked and Campbell Smithwick singled, Colin Brueggemann laced a three-run homer down the right-field line to push the lead to 4-0. For Brueggemann, it was his 15th home run of the season, and he also has 50 RBIs, so he’s been a VERY valuable run producer for the Pokes.
OSU scored 5 runs in total in the bottom of the first inning, Ethan Lund was dealing, and Friday Night’s Lights was “On Like Donkey Kong”. I’m dating myself there!
In the second inning, Kollin Ritchie launched his 29th homer to almost on to the track behind right field, and raised his average to .340 with a 1.322 OPS, and has 72 RBIs and now 29 home runs. Speaking of video games, that’s what those numbers are!
Colin Brueggemann later added an RBI single before Remo Indomenico drew a bases-loaded walk, and the Pokes had a comfortable 8-0 lead, and it was, for all intents and purposes, over at that point.
Holliday Praises the Bounce Back
Following the game, head coach Josh Holliday talked about bouncing back, and how important that is:
“Our guys responded exactly the way you hope a team responds,” Holliday said. “They came out aggressive, confident and ready to go from the first pitch.”
“When this offense is taking quality swings and staying on the attack, we can be really dangerous.”
Oklahoma State entered the night having hit 128 home runs, and they leave having hit 132.
Ethan Lund Delivers Dominant Start
Ethan Lund was dominant! There’s nothing else to analyze, because that’s it, he was totally dominant.
He carved through Arizona’s lineup, and equally as impressive, when he did give up the home run, it didn’t faze him. He got right back in the zone and went right back to dominating.
Lund tossed a complete seven-inning outing, seven innings due to the run rule, and allowed just one run on two hits while striking out 13 and walking only two. He threw 103 pitches and improved to 5-1 on the season.
Outside of Carson McEntire’s solo homer in the second inning, Arizona didn’t pose much of a threat at all for Lund, and at one point, he sat down 10 hitters in a row.
His final line:
7.0 innings pitched, 2 hits, 1 earned run, 2 walks, 13 strikeouts.
Best start in his career, again, that’s my opinion, and you’re not talking me out of it!
Fourth Inning Breaks Game Open
Any remaining suspense disappeared when OSU put up a 5-spot in the 4th.
Campbell Smithwick doubled to left-center to get things started, and Colin Brueggemann followed with an RBI single up the middle to make it 9-1, then Garrett Shull blasted a solo home run to left field for his 14th homer of the season. Shull finished a 3-for-3, and had his 3 best back-to-back at-bats of the year. That’s another opinion, another one I won’t back down from. Shull also drew a walk.
Remo Indomenico tripled, then Brock Thompson nailed an RBI single, and Aidan Meola put the bow on the inning with a two-run single up the middle, pushing the lead to 13-1.
The Cowboys pounded out six hits! in the inning alone and completely overwhelmed Arizona pitching.
Offensive Leaders Continue Strong Seasons
Nearly everyone had a good night!
Smithwick finished 3-for-4 with three runs scored and a double, and is hitting .266 with eight home runs and 37 RBIs.
Aidan Meola had two hits and two Ribeyes, and is hitting .316 with 16 home runs and 62 RBIs.
Alex Conover finished 2-for-4 with a homer and two runs scored.
Colin Brueggemann had ANOTHER huge night, going 3-for-4 with five RBIs and a home run.
Altogether, Oklahoma State scored 13 runs on 17 hits while striking out just five times.
Holliday on the Team’s Response and Pitching Performance
Holliday repeatedly credited the maturity of his team and the tone established by Lund on the mound.
“Ethan was outstanding,” Holliday said. “He attacked the strike zone, controlled the tempo and gave us exactly what we needed.”
“That’s what good teams do. They answer adversity, and tonight our guys answered.”
Looking Ahead to Saturday’s Rubber Match
With the victory, Oklahoma State improved to 35-19 overall and 17-12 in Big 12 play entering the final game of the regular season against Arizona.
Arizona dropped to 19-33 overall and 9-20 in conference action.
