Winning Pitcher: Bryce Osmond (4-1)
Losing Pitcher: Tristan Stevens (5-5)
BOX SCORE
QUICK SUMMARY
Oklahoma State has made a loud statement in Austin this weekend. After a 14-3 win on Saturday, the Cowboys have secured the series victory in this top ten matchup. The Pokes outhit Texas 11-6 and were led by Bryce Osmond on the mound. A year after going eight strong against the Horns in Stillwater, Osmond once again turned in a stellar performance against UT. Osmond has a sharp slider with great downward movement and that pitch was a big part of his 5.1 IP, 0 ER, 1 H outing on Saturday.
“They just came out and kicked our butts, it’s that simple,” said David Pierce after the game.
THE 6TH
Despite Texas not having a hit yet, this was still a close game entering the sixth. The game was not close entering the seventh. Tristan Stevens thought he had strike three to end the inning against Caeden Trenkle, but Mark Winters (home plate umpire) didn’t agree. After that inside pitch was called a ball, the train went flying off the tracks. Seven batters and four hits later, the top of the sixth ended and the Cowboys had taken the lead from 3-0 to 10-0. Out of all the meltdown innings for Texas this year, this one was the most crucial and most painful. All seven runs came with two down and any chance of winning this all-important series was no more.
THE ARMS
Tristan Stevens just can’t turn the corner. He has not pitched well for a majority of the season and on top of that, things are just not going his way. When he needs an out, a blooper falls for a hit. When he needs a call, the borderline pitch doesn’t go his way. An inability to keep the ball down, lack of feel, and a little bad luck have all contributed to this disappointing season for the veteran righty.
Speaking of pitchers who have been struggling for a while now, Travis Sthele had a disastrous outing in the sixth inning of game two. Early in the season Sthele would come in, get ahead in the count, and record the clutch outs. But over the past few months, Sthele’s command has eroded and his ERA has ballooned to 7.20. “Trying to pull the right guy out of the bullpen is a mystery right now,” claimed Pierce, who was clearly frustrated by another poor outing from the relievers.
TAKEAWAYS
The finale on Sunday is still a very important game, but losing this series in this fashion at home is a tremendous letdown. Texas is slipping down the Big 12 standings and a two seed is absolutely in the cards for this group come regional time. This team is overly reliant on the offense and it’s looking like that may not change. Oklahoma State has been better in every phase this weekend, but the performance gap on the mound is what has been the difference.
UP NEXT
Lucas Gordon will be on the bump as UT (31-15, 9-8) looks to avoid the sweep at 1 PM on Sunday.
Pitching matchup - Texas LHP Lucas Gordon (4-1, 3.00) vs. OSU RHP Victor Mederos (3-3, 6.55)
HookEm
Losing Pitcher: Tristan Stevens (5-5)
BOX SCORE
QUICK SUMMARY
Oklahoma State has made a loud statement in Austin this weekend. After a 14-3 win on Saturday, the Cowboys have secured the series victory in this top ten matchup. The Pokes outhit Texas 11-6 and were led by Bryce Osmond on the mound. A year after going eight strong against the Horns in Stillwater, Osmond once again turned in a stellar performance against UT. Osmond has a sharp slider with great downward movement and that pitch was a big part of his 5.1 IP, 0 ER, 1 H outing on Saturday.
“They just came out and kicked our butts, it’s that simple,” said David Pierce after the game.
THE 6TH
Despite Texas not having a hit yet, this was still a close game entering the sixth. The game was not close entering the seventh. Tristan Stevens thought he had strike three to end the inning against Caeden Trenkle, but Mark Winters (home plate umpire) didn’t agree. After that inside pitch was called a ball, the train went flying off the tracks. Seven batters and four hits later, the top of the sixth ended and the Cowboys had taken the lead from 3-0 to 10-0. Out of all the meltdown innings for Texas this year, this one was the most crucial and most painful. All seven runs came with two down and any chance of winning this all-important series was no more.
THE ARMS
Tristan Stevens just can’t turn the corner. He has not pitched well for a majority of the season and on top of that, things are just not going his way. When he needs an out, a blooper falls for a hit. When he needs a call, the borderline pitch doesn’t go his way. An inability to keep the ball down, lack of feel, and a little bad luck have all contributed to this disappointing season for the veteran righty.
Speaking of pitchers who have been struggling for a while now, Travis Sthele had a disastrous outing in the sixth inning of game two. Early in the season Sthele would come in, get ahead in the count, and record the clutch outs. But over the past few months, Sthele’s command has eroded and his ERA has ballooned to 7.20. “Trying to pull the right guy out of the bullpen is a mystery right now,” claimed Pierce, who was clearly frustrated by another poor outing from the relievers.
TAKEAWAYS
The finale on Sunday is still a very important game, but losing this series in this fashion at home is a tremendous letdown. Texas is slipping down the Big 12 standings and a two seed is absolutely in the cards for this group come regional time. This team is overly reliant on the offense and it’s looking like that may not change. Oklahoma State has been better in every phase this weekend, but the performance gap on the mound is what has been the difference.
UP NEXT
Lucas Gordon will be on the bump as UT (31-15, 9-8) looks to avoid the sweep at 1 PM on Sunday.
Pitching matchup - Texas LHP Lucas Gordon (4-1, 3.00) vs. OSU RHP Victor Mederos (3-3, 6.55)
HookEm
