Oklahoma State was “out executed” this weekend, point blank and simple, and to say otherwise just wouldn’t, IMO, do justice to the process as to “how” this team got swept.
The Cowboys struck out 28 times in 3 games, which, TBH, is a VERY acceptable number, especially considering they hit 5 home runs. Less than 10 Ks per game, combined with almost 2 long balls, should be a positive trade-off over the course of a season.
The biggest problem, IMO, was the”quality at bats”, or lack thereof, especially in crunch time. And, especially after the 6 runs they scored in the first 2 innings of the series. OSU had several scoring chances, even after the early 6 runs, but was only able to score just 11 runs in the next 25 innings.
So, here are some of the key factors that contributed to the failures, which ultimately led to the sweep.
Alex Conover had 2 infield hits, a single up the middle, and a single through the left side. TP Wentworth also had a single to left field, and that’s it for opposite-field base hits that reached the outfield. Campbell Smithwich had 2 infield hits, and Brueggy had a hit up the middle, but how many opposite-field hits did UCF have? And, how many of them were either with 2 strikes or with a runner in scoring position? Or by a hitter who was looking to get on base to start a rally? And did!
Staying “inside” the ball, at least as an approach, is not negotiable. It just has to happen. Otherwise, you’re gonna have a bunch of long, loopy swings that lead to a ton of swings and misses, lazy flyballs, and rollover groundouts. And a lack of execution, typically with 2 strikes and with runners in scoring position. That’s because, in those situations, pitchers are throwing pitchers pitches to avoid damage, and you’re not going to hit those types of pitches with long loopy swings that go around the ball.
And, the at-bats with 2 strikes, and/or with runners in scoring position were THE issues this weekend, and have been a thorn in the side of this program for some time now.
And, here’s why, IMO.
One part of this offense that HAS to exist for it to be successful is drawing walks. And, to draw walks, you HAVE to take a LOT of pitches. And, if you take a LOT of pitches, you are going to get into 2-strike counts a lot. And, this weekend, OSU had a total of 7 hits when in a 2-strike count, two by Alex Conover, two by Colin Brueggemann, one by Terrance Bowen, one by Remo Indomenico, and one by Aidan Meola. Of those 7 hits, only one was to the opposite field on the entire weekend, which just goes to show how long and big the swings were and how ineffective that approach was.
Remo and Aidan are the ONLY Cowboys to get 2-strike hits to the pull-side. That’s it! 2 hits total to the pull-side that reached the outfield with 2 strikes on the weekend. So, if this team wants to not to have to rely so heavily on home runs to score, it has to commit to thinking the other way with 2 strikes. Or, be MUCH more aggressive EARLY in the count so as not to get into 2 strike counts. Trying to stay patient, thus increasing your odds of getting into 2-strike counts, then not having an opposite field 2-strike approach is a formula that makes this offense explosive, but inconsistent.
As per the pitching, this staff is doing about as much as it can with the cards it’s been dealt. We’ll save that conversation for another day. I’m done thinking about this weekend, see ya’ Tuesday at O’Brate. As always, I can’t wait to get back to the yard.
