Don't Let One Weekend Overshadow What Kollin Ritchie Accomplished

The final image of Oklahoma State baseball's 2026 season wasn't Kollin Ritchie circling the bases after another home run.

It was the Cowboys walking off the field in Tuscaloosa after an extra-inning loss to Alabama, their season over one win short of forcing a winner-take-all game.

That's unfortunate.

Because one disappointing weekend shouldn't overshadow one of the greatest individual seasons in Oklahoma State baseball history.

Ritchie was recently named a First Team ABCA/Rawlings All-American, becoming the first Cowboy to earn First Team honors since Justin Campbell in 2022 and just the 28th player in program history to receive the recognition.

That list isn't just elite.

It's Oklahoma State baseball royalty.

Ritchie's 31 home runs were the second-most in a single season in school history, trailing only Pete Incaviglia's NCAA-record 48 in 1985. He also finished his career eighth all-time in program history in home runs and established himself as one of the nation's most feared hitters, earning recognition as a Golden Spikes Award semifinalist.

Those are numbers worthy of being mentioned alongside some of the greatest players to ever wear the Orange and Black.

Incaviglia set the standard for power.

Robin Ventura became a national champion and remains the owner of the NCAA's record 58-game hitting streak.

Josh Holliday was an All-American before eventually returning to Stillwater as the current head coach and helping continue the tradition of excellence.

Justin Campbell became one of the best pitchers in the country and the last Cowboy to earn First Team All-American honors before Ritchie.

That's the company Ritchie now keeps.

And that's why his season deserves more appreciation than it may receive because of how the year ended.

The regional loss to Alabama hurt. The missed opportunities with the bases loaded throughout the weekend will sting for a while.

But baseball seasons are six-month journeys, not two-game snapshots.

Without Ritchie's power and production, Oklahoma State doesn't win 39 games. It doesn't finish among the top teams in the Big 12. It doesn't make another NCAA Tournament.

Whether Ritchie returns for one more season or hears his name called in the MLB Draft, Cowboy fans shouldn't wait years to appreciate what they just witnessed.

Because seasons like this don't come around often.

And when your name starts appearing alongside Pete Incaviglia, Robin Ventura, Josh Holliday and Justin Campbell, you're no longer talking about a great season.

You're talking about Oklahoma State baseball royalty. Ritchie is there.