Four Thoughts on Oklahoma State’s 8-3 Win Over Oklahoma in the Big 12 Baseball Tournament
Friday is elimination day for the Big 12 Conference Baseball tournament. We have completed two full days of Big 12 action as we are finally getting down to the last six teams.
For the second game on Friday, it was a rivalry matchup between Oklahoma State and Oklahoma. The Cowboys started the tournament with a loss to the Sooners before beating West Virginia on Thursday.
After Oklahoma’s opening win over Oklahoma State, they ended up falling to Texas Tech on Thursday night in a wild game. With each team having one loss, it was win or go home and the Cowboys were able to survive and advance. Here are my four thoughts on Oklahoma State’s 8-3 win over Oklahoma.
1. Ben Abram Was Lights Out
Believe it or not, Oklahoma State pitcher Ben Abram was once a Sooner. Abram spent four seasons in Norman before making the move to Stillwater. As crazy as that sounds, it was also pretty crazy to see him out on the mound against his former team.
Despite having some early struggles, Ben Abram has gotten better throughout the year. On Friday night, he got the chance to show the country what he can do, and he certainly delivered. Ben pitched six full innings and gave up just a single run.
That is pretty impressive not only due to the pressure of playing against his former team but to do it on a big stage like this. We all know that the Cowboys have the offense to compete with anyone in the country but if they can get pitching performances like this then they will be in good hands come postseason time.
2. Oklahoma State’s Offense Caught Fire
It’s no secret that Oklahoma State has not only one of the best offenses in the Big 12 but in the entire country. From top to bottom, their lineup is tough for any pitcher to face. Unfortunately for Oklahoma, they found out the hard way as the Cowboys scored eight runs on Friday night. David Mendham got the party started in the second inning with a three-run blast before Roc Riggio and Carson Benge brought in two more runs.
Riggio would add another RBI in the sixth inning and David Mendham knocked in his fourth run of the game in the seventh. Between the great pitching and the offensive firepower in this one, there was no way Oklahoma State was losing this game.
3. Is Oklahoma in Trouble?
While the Sooners were able to win a game in the Big 12 tournament, they were one of many teams on the postseason bubble. Coming into Friday, D1Baseball.com had Oklahoma as one of the last four teams in the tournament. Obviously, the Texas Tech loss on Thursday night hurt but this loss to Oklahoma State may end up being a backbreaker for the Sooners.
They now leave their fate in hands of the selection committee and with a bubble that is likely to tighten up over the weekend, I am not very confident that the Sooners will make the postseason come Monday.
4. Will Oklahoma State Host a Regional?
With Texas and West Virginia out of the picture, Oklahoma State is now the Big 12’s only hope to host a regional. Now with two wins in the tournament, the Cowboys are one of those fringe hosting teams according to D1baseball.com. As of now, the Cowboys are favored to host a regional and the further they go in this tournament the more likely they will be playing in Stillwater next weekend.
