Oklahoma State Dominates UCF 12-6 To Advance In Big 12 Baseball Tournament

SURPRISE, Ariz. – In the quarterfinal matchup at Surprise Stadium on Thursday, the Oklahoma State Cowboys unleashed a powerful offensive outburst, highlighted by a five-run eighth inning, to secure a 12-6 victory over the UCF Knights in the Big 12 Tournament.

The win propelled the 19th-ranked Cowboys, seeded fifth in the tournament, to a 37-19 record for the season. Meanwhile, the fourth-seeded Knights dropped to 31-21.

With the victory, Oklahoma State punched their ticket to Friday’s semifinal round, where they will face top-seeded Kansas at 6:30 p.m. CDT.

The Cowboys now sit just two wins away from claiming the Big 12 Tournament title and securing a strong position in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

Colin Brueggemann was the standout performer for Oklahoma State, delivering a career-defining afternoon with four RBIs. The veteran first baseman also collected two hits in the contest, bringing his career RBI total to 200, a milestone that places him 10th on OSU’s all-time list.

His clutch hitting, particularly in the late innings, proved to be the difference-maker in a back-and-forth battle.

On the mound, Mario Pesca earned the win in relief, improving his record to 6-4. The right-hander entered after starter Hudson Barrett and delivered three solid innings of work, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out four batters.

His ability to stabilize the game during critical moments helped the Cowboys regain control after UCF mounted a comeback.

The game began with immediate action from both sides. Oklahoma State jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Alex Conover led off with a single and eventually scored on a two-out RBI single by Campbell Smithwick. UCF responded quickly in the bottom half, loading the bases with a double, a hit batter, and a walk.

A fielder’s choice then plated a run, tying the game at 1-1.

Oklahoma State regained the advantage in the fourth inning. Brueggemann opened the frame with a double, and Garrett Shull promptly drove him in with a single to make it 2-1. Later in the inning, Brock Thompson delivered a two-out RBI infield single that extended the lead to 3-1.

The Cowboys continued their momentum in the fifth. Back-to-back walks put runners on base, and a bunt single combined with a throwing error allowed another run to score.

Brueggemann then added a sacrifice fly, pushing the Oklahoma State lead to 5-1.However, UCF refused to go quietly.

The Knights mounted a fierce rally in the bottom of the fifth. An RBI double cut into the deficit, and Javier Crespo delivered a massive three-run home run that tied the game at 5-5, energizing the UCF dugout and setting up a tense middle-to-late innings battle.The decisive moment arrived in the eighth inning.

Oklahoma State sent nine batters to the plate in a relentless offensive surge. After loading the bases, including an intentional walk to Kollin Ritchie, Aidan Meola drew a walk that brought home the go-ahead run.

Campbell Smithwick followed with a sacrifice fly to extend the lead. The bases were loaded once again, and Brueggemann came through in the clutch, smashing a three-RBI single to right-center field.

The big hit capped off the five-run inning and gave the Cowboys a commanding 10-5 advantage.Oklahoma State added two more insurance runs in the ninth, including an RBI triple off the bat of Alex Conover, who had a strong day at the plate with multiple hits.In the bottom of the ninth, UCF made one final push.

Facing reliever Noah Wech, the Knights loaded the bases with no outs on two singles and a walk. However, Wech induced an infield fly for the first out and then induced a game-ending double play, sealing the 12-6 victory for Oklahoma State.

The Cowboys’ ability to capitalize on extra-base hits and timely situational hitting was impressive. Five different Oklahoma State players recorded at least two hits in the game, showcasing the depth of their lineup.

This balanced attack, combined with strong relief pitching, positions OSU well as they prepare to take on a tough Kansas squad in the semifinals.

For UCF, the loss ends their tournament run but highlights the competitive nature of the Big 12 this season.

The Knights showed resilience with their fifth-inning comeback but ultimately couldn’t contain Oklahoma State’s potent offense in the later frames.

As the Cowboys continue their postseason journey, Thursday’s win serves as a strong statement.

With Brueggemann reaching a major career milestone and the team displaying both offensive firepower and clutch relief pitching, Oklahoma State enters Friday’s semifinal with confidence and momentum. Fans will be watching closely to see if the Pokes can keep their winning streak alive in Arizona.