Under the lights at ONEOK Field, Oklahoma State’s midweek trip turned into a frustrating night defined by one big inning from ORU and a late rally that ultimately fell short, as Oral Roberts handed the Cowboys an 11–6 defeat.
Early on, the Golden Eagles seized control with a home run from Cooper Kelly in the 2nd, then put up 2 runs on a home run by Cooper Combs in the 4th. Kane Yates was hit by a pitch directly in front of the home run, which was equally as damaging.
The Eagles then put up a 6-spot in the fifth inning, while Oklahoma State didn’t score until the 6th inning. No question fatigue was a factor, because when you play three games in Lubbock, you feel like you’ve been in a bar fight, even if you win all three games, as OSU did. By the time the Cowboys woke up and caught some momentum, they were too far behind and didn’t have enough pitching to put up the zeroes they would have needed to complete a comeback like that.
But it was the fifth inning that broke the game open. ORU sent 13 hitters to the plate, capitalizing on just 4 hits, but also 3 walks and 2 hit by pitches, 3 walks, and 2 passed balls to score six runs in the frame. Keaton Campbell drove in a run with a double, Makani Tanaka followed with an RBI single, and a sequence of passed balls and bases-loaded walks extended the inning. By the time the dust settled, Oral Roberts had built a commanding 9–0 lead.
Oklahoma State finally responded in the sixth, and for a moment, it felt like the momentum might completely shift. Aidan Meola got the Cowboys on the board with a solo homer down the left-field line. Colin Brueggemann followed with an RBI single, and then Garrett Shull delivered the biggest swing of the night—a three-run home run to right that suddenly cut the deficit to 9–5.
Shull’s blast highlighted his power, as he continues to look like he’s getting more comfortable at the plate. Meola, one of the Cowboys’ more consistent hitters this year, added to his RBI total with his sixth-inning homer, continuing a season in which he has been a reliable run producer.
At the top of the order, Alex Conover quietly put together a strong night, going 2-for-4 and reaching base three times, and no one should be surprised by that. Terrance Bowen also stood out, collecting three hits and consistently putting pressure on the ORU defense. Yet outside of those contributions and the sixth-inning surge, Oklahoma State’s offense struggled to string together to sustain rallies and left too many runners on base in key spots. The overall trend, however, for situational hitting and hitting with runners in scoring position has been a very positive one as of late. Especially last weekend in Lubbock.
Oral Roberts answered immediately after the Cowboys’ push. In the seventh, Martell Davis and Hudson Ellis each drove in runs with singles, extending the lead back to six and effectively ending Oklahoma State’s comeback bid. The Cowboys added one final run in the eighth on a wild pitch, but the gap never narrowed further.
On the mound, Oklahoma State’s pitching staff struggled, particularly during that decisive fifth inning. The Cowboys struggled with command and gave away too much free baseball to beat a good team like ORU, because they make you pay. Parker Jennings was a VERY bright spot, though, throwing a scoreless 9th inning for the Pokes. The inability of the OSU pitchers to limit damage with two outs or escape innings proved to be the difference, as two-out RBI hits and runs usually do.
Conversely, ORU’s pitching staff bent but did not break. Despite surrendering five runs in the sixth, they regained control in the later innings, shutting down later rallies and staying away from the long ball, and in many cases, hard contact all together..
The loss dropped Oklahoma State to 28–17 overall, coming just days after a strong series sweep in Lubbock that had built momentum. The inconsistency—dominant on the weekend, uneven in midweek play—remains a theme as the Cowboys navigate the final stretch of the regular season. But, just look at the Tuesday scores from across the nation each week, and you’ll find that the Midweek game is tough on everyone, and that it’s not a problem that is limited to OSU. Not close!
After the game, the tone reflected both frustration and urgency. As noted in postgame interviews of the Head Coach Josh Holliday, shared by reporter Daniel Allen of the Stillwegain, the message centered on missed opportunities and the need for sharper execution, with one sentiment emphasizing that the team “can’t give away innings like that” and still expect to win.
Oklahoma State now turns its attention back to conference play, hosting TCU in Stillwater beginning Friday. With the Big 12 race tightening, the Cowboys’ remaining schedule—anchored by 2 home conference series down the stretch—will determine their postseason positioning and/or fate.
Become a subscriber to our O-State Daily YouTube page and follow us on Twitter @OState_Daily, on Instagram @ostatedaily, or on TikTok @ostatedaily
Also, please consider donating to our GoFundMe to help O-State Daily keep growing. To do so, click this link https://gofund.me/db54a295. This site will always be free to its viewers, but it does take time and money to run, so any donation would be greatly appreciated.
