Two walk-offs, one in game one and one in game three, secures series victory for BYU over Oklahoma State. How hot is Josh Holliday’s seat?
Will Josh Holliday Coach OKST Baseball Next Season?
PROVO, UT — Oklahoma State baseball’s weekend in Provo ended in gut wrenching fashion on Saturday, March 28, as BYU walked off the Cowboys with a two-out, two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning.
The 1-2 series loss dropped the Cowboys to 17-11 overall and 3-6 in Big 12 play, squandering the chance to sweep a conference road series and climb back into contention. What should have been a statement weekend for a program with post season expectations turned into another chapter in a frustrating 2026 season.
Game 1 on Thursday night set the tone of late inning heartbreak. The Cowboys jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning, with Aidan Meola delivering an RBI double, Sebastian Norman adding a run-scoring single, and Colin Brueggemann driving in another.
OSU pushed the advantage to 5-3 before BYU chipped away. The Cougars tied it late and sent the game to extra innings.
With two outs and nobody on in the bottom of the 10th, BYU third baseman Easton Jones launched a solo home run to left field, his ninth of the year, for a 6-5 walk-off victory. OSU starter Noah Wech took the loss after a solid outing, while Nate Gray earned the win in relief for BYU. The defeat left the Cowboys 16-11 and already staring down a must win situation.
Friday’s Game 2 provided the bounce back OSU needed. The Cowboys went yard for a 12-5 victory, powered by a five-run fifth inning that broke the game open.
Garrett Shull cracked a two-run homer, part of a 3-for-4, two-RBI night for the designated hitter. Kollin Ritchie went 3-for-3 with a home run (his 15th) and two RBIs while making a highlight-reel catch in center. Mario Pesca earned the win (3-2) with strong middle relief as the bullpen stabilized.
BYU managed only five runs on eight hits, highlighted by Ryder Robinson’s two-run shot, but the Cowboys’ hit bats, 11 hits total, proved to be the ticket. OSU evened the series at 1-1 and looked to take the momentum and the series.
Saturday’s rubber match delivered the series ending dagger. The game stayed tight into the late innings, but with two outs in the bottom of the ninth and the score at 4-3 in Oklahoma State’s favor, BYU delivered the walk-off two-run homer that sealed a series victory. (Note: While watching, I said out-loud, “they better not yard this.” The next pitch was sent over the fence. Pain.)
The Cowboys had controlled stretches and carried a winnable lead into the final frame, yet the bullpen couldn’t close it out. The loss dropped OSU to 17-11 and continued their ongoing late-inning “poop the bed” moments.
The series result builds growing fan frustration with the Cowboys’ 2026 campaign. Despite a talented roster stocked with returning veterans and transfers, Oklahoma State has hovered around .600 ball while Big 12 foes pull away.
Supporters expect more consistency especially against mid-tier conference opponents. Social media and message boards have lit up with calls for accountability, pointing to missed opportunities, defensive lapses, and an offense that too often stalls in clutch spots. And, to be fair, they’re not wrong.
That discontent has turned toward head coach Josh Holliday.
Once celebrated for elevating the program to national conversations, Holliday now finds himself on the hot seat.
I recently stated on The Jones Report that I believe Holliday will get fired this year (hot take segment), considering the disappointing start and lack of postseason momentum in the past few years, as the Pokes have only regressed.
Similarly, Heartland College Sports featured a segment with D1Baseball’s Kendall Rogers examining “how hot the seat is for Josh Holliday,” noting that while his long term track record deserves respect, current results are raising legitimate questions about the program’s direction.
The Cowboys now turn their attention the upcoming week.
They travel to face Dallas Baptist on Tuesday, March 31, in a non-conference midweek contest before returning home for a three game series against Cincinnati.
With conference play tightening, the Cowboys must string together wins and, for Holliday’s sake, quiet the hot seat noise.