It’s been the opposite of a Disney vacation for the Pokes visiting Orlando this weekend as they’ll lose the series at least 2-1 against UCF baseball — Can Sunday’s game be a Cowboy Consolation Prize?
ORLANDO, FL — In a disappointing outing for the Oklahoma State Cowboys, the team suffered a 6-1 defeat to the UCF Knights on Saturday evening, March 14, 2026, at John Euliano Park.
The loss drops OSU to 12-6 overall and 0-2 in Big 12 Conference play, while UCF improves to 11-6 (2-0 Big 12). With this victory, the Knights now hold a commanding 2-0 lead in the three-game series, following their thrilling 12-11 win in the opener on Friday.
The Cowboys struck first in the top of the first inning. Brock Thompson led off with a double down the left-field line, advancing to third on a groundout. Aidan Meola then delivered a two-out RBI double to left-center, plating Thompson for a quick 1-0 lead. However, that would be the extent of OSU’s offense, as they managed just two hits total for the game, both doubles from Thompson and Meola.
UCF responded swiftly, tying the game in the bottom of the second. With the bases loaded and two outs, Javier Crespo scored on a wild pitch from OSU starter Mario Pesca. The Knights took control in the fourth when Landon Moran doubled to left and later scored on a sacrifice fly by DeAmez Ross, making it 2-1.
The fifth inning proved decisive, as UCF plated three more runs with the bases loaded. James Hankerson Jr. was hit by a pitch to drive in John Smith III, Ross added an RBI via a fielder’s choice to score Crespo, and Jordan Lodise singled to bring home Moran, pushing the lead to 5-1.
UCF tacked on an insurance run in the eighth on a two-out RBI single by Zak Skinner, scoring Lodise for the final 6-1 margin.
Statistically, OSU’s pitching staff struggled to contain the Knights’ bats. Pesca (1-2) took the loss after 6 2/3 innings, surrendering five runs on 10 hits with five strikeouts. The Cowboys’ bullpen allowed one more run, but the damage was already done.
Offensively, OSU went 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position and left four on base. UCF, meanwhile, racked up 11 hits, going 3-for-9 with runners in scoring position. Moran shone brightly for the Knights, going 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored. Lodise contributed 2-for-2 with an RBI and two walks, while Skinner went 2-for-5 with an RBI.
On the mound, UCF starter Matt Sauser (2-0) dominated, pitching 6 1/3 innings and allowing just one run on two hits with four strikeouts and two walks. Relievers Matthew Heyl and Michael Gillen combined for 2 2/3 scoreless, hitless innings to seal the win.
For Oklahoma State, Meola’s RBI double was a bright spot, continuing his solid season with a .318 batting average and 19 RBIs entering the series. Thompson’s leadoff double marked his contribution, but the Cowboys’ lineup, which ranks seventh nationally with 34 home runs this season, was uncharacteristically quiet.
UCF’s Sauser extended his impressive start to the year, having entered the weekend with a 0.00 ERA over 18 2/3 innings. Moran and Lodise provided the offensive spark, helping the Knights maintain their .275 team batting average and 3.91 staff ERA.
This weekend has been a tough one for Oklahoma State athletics overall. The Cowboy baseball team, which started the season 12-4 and showed promise with a potent offense, has now dropped the first two games of Big 12 play. Similarly, the Cowgirl softball team has struggled in their road series against Arizona State. After a 3-2 extra-inning loss on Friday, March 13, where they managed only three hits and fell short despite a strong outing from ace Ruby Meylan (7-6, 2.91 ERA), the team faced another challenging matchup on Saturday, March 14.
Both programs, traditionally powerhouses in the Big 12, have not played up to expectations this weekend, raising concerns among fans about consistency in conference play.
The losses have amplified criticism from the Oklahoma State fanbase directed at baseball head coach Josh Holliday. Social media and forums have buzzed with frustration over his strategic decisions, player development, and the team’s inability to close out key games. Many supporters express a growing lack of hope for a return to Omaha and the College World Series, a destination OSU last reached in 2019 under Holliday’s tenure.
Despite his track record of six NCAA Regional appearances in the last decade, the current 0-2 start in Big 12 play has fueled calls for change, with some fans questioning if the program has lost its edge in a competitive conference.
Looking ahead, Oklahoma State and UCF will wrap up the series on Sunday, March 15, at 10 a.m. CDT in Orlando. Probable starters have not been officially announced for either team, as both coaching staffs listed them as TBA in pre-series notes.
For OSU, potential options from their rotation include southpaw Hudson Barrett (2-1, 1.86 ERA) — if he is healthy — or another reliever stepping up, following Ethan Lund’s start on Friday and Pesca’s on Saturday.
UCF could turn to a bullpen arm or freshman like Max Murray, after Braden Smith and Sauser handled the first two games.
The Cowboys will aim to salvage a win and build momentum before returning home, while the Knights look to complete the sweep in their inaugural Big 12 home series.
Oklahoma State, a program with 20 College World Series appearances historically, entered 2026 with high expectations after a 2025 season that ended in the Athens Regional.
UCF, under third-year coach Rich Wallace (75-53 record), has shown some room for opportunity and growth for the program with strong pitching and opportunistic hitting.
Sunday’s finale could set the tone for both teams’ conference campaigns in a loaded Big 12.