Oklahoma State defeated Dallas Baptist on Tuesday evening, 14-5. After losing the previous weekend series against BYU, the Pokes will look to build on this midweek win before facing Cincinnati this weekend.
DALLAS, TX — Oklahoma State baseball delivered a much needed offensive showing Tuesday evening, lining up 14 runs on nine hits and a season-high 12 walks in a 14-5 victory over Dallas Baptist at Horner Ballpark. The Cowboys completed a season sweep of the Patriots and showed signs of life after a frustrating weekend in Provo.
The win served as a strong bounce-back performance for the Cowboys, who dropped their Big 12 series to BYU the previous weekend in Provo. OSU had led late in the series finale only to suffer a crushing walk-off loss, falling to 17-11 overall and 3-6 in conference play entering Tuesday.
Head coach Josh Holliday’s squad responded from the weekend series losses by turning a one-run deficit into a blowout.
Dallas Baptist jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning when Luke Pettitte launched a two-run home run to left field. The Patriots added another run in the fourth on a groundout, but Oklahoma State chipped away.
Ezra Essex scored on a wild pitch in the third to make it 2-1, and Colin Brueggemann tied the game with a solo home run to center in the fifth.
The game truly turned in the sixth inning, when the Cowboys sent 11 batters to the plate and went for six runs. Kollin Ritchie led off the frame with a solo home run, his 17th of the season, to right field.
From there, a few free passes loaded the bases. Brueggemann and TP Wentworth drew RBI walks, Garrett Shull was hit by a pitch for another run, and Brock Thompson delivered a clutch two-RBI single up the middle. Dallas Baptist managed just one run in the frame on a sacrifice fly, and OSU led 8-4.
Oklahoma State’s hitting against DBU was relentless. Brueggemann finished 2-for-3 with four RBIs and two home runs, including a two-run shot in the seventh that extended the lead. Wentworth added a solo homer in the seventh, while Shull capped the scoring with a three-run blast to center in the ninth.
The Cowboys drew 12 walks overall, forcing DBU pitchers Russ Smith and others into early trouble and capitalizing on every mistake.
On the mound, starter TP Wentworth (who also DH’d) worked four innings and allowed three runs. Reliever Kai Fyke (2-0) earned the win with three strong innings, surrendering one run on three hits while striking out five. Drew Blake closed it out with two innings of one-run ball.
For Dallas Baptist (16-13), Pettitte added two hits and two RBIs, while Ryan Martin went 3-for-4 with a ninth-inning solo homer. The Patriots tallied 11 hits but issued too many free passes and couldn’t contain OSU’s middle inning surge.
The victory improved Oklahoma State to 18-11 overall while leaving the Cowboys at 3-6 in Big 12 play.
Despite solid non-conference results, the conference standing has led to growing frustration among fans and on social media. Many have been vocal in their criticism of head coach Josh Holliday in recent weeks, questioning the program’s direction amid inconsistent league performances and close losses.
Oklahoma State will look to build on this offensive showing when it returns home this weekend to host Cincinnati for a three-game Big 12 series beginning Friday night at O’Brate Stadium.