Heading into the fifth inning, with a 4-0 lead, Oklahoma State head coach Josh Holiday spoke with ESPN. With the Cowboys in control of their title throwdown, the Cowboys head coach discussed their offensive success in the fourth inning against their heated rival, the Oklahoma Sooners.
“Much better. Early in the inning, Ian did a great job of getting aggressive and lining the ball left,” he said. “And then Brueggy (Brueggemann) smacking that ball off the wall; just safe under the tag, really put us in a good spot. Avery (Ortiz) made the inning work with the deep flyball to advance the runner to third… and obviously, a little bit of help there with the wild pitch. So, we’ll take it; we needed to do something.
Heading into the fifth inning, the two Oklahoma programs were engaged in a defensive battle, with the Cowboys holding a 1-0 lead. However, Oklahoma State’s timely hitting, plus a wild pitch, allowed them to score three runs in the inning, expanding their lead.
Holiday also briefly reviewed the Cowboys’ pitching, crediting his bullpen for its health and consistency. This has led to a successful season, with them all but guaranteed a spot in the NCAA baseball championship tournament. It also puts them in a position to take home the Big 12 conference tournament title.
With Oklahoma State still having more postseason baseball to play, regardless of the outcome of this game, Holiday highlighted the experience they are gaining will likely play a big role in their success in the championship tournament.
“Well, it’s super important,” continued Holiday. “Tommy’s getting a chance to start a game right here in a championship setting. He’s been a great length reliever for us all year. So most of his touches have been out of the bullpen for 40 or 50 pitches. And now here he is getting a chance to start a game and laying down 75-80 great pitches in a starting rotation opportunity— who knows what the next couple weeks might hold for our team. But one thing is for sure: he’ll be more prepared in case we need to start.”
Keeping in line with the consistency that Oklahoma State has displayed in their bullpen, reliever Tommy Molsky is getting the opportunity to expand his capability for the Cowboys for this postseason run and beyond. 4.1 innings of work, Molsky allowed just four hits, two earned runs, and one walk when facing 19 batters. He also had 8 strikeouts to his name while throwing 71 total pitches.
Holiday on facing Oklahoma in the championship game
Oklahoma versus Oklahoma State has been one of the biggest college rivalries regardless of what arena the two institutions faced off in. However, heading into this game, the Cowboy players were quick to note that this was just another game. But Josh knows otherwise and explains his team’s mindset despite playing the program’s biggest rival for possibly the last time as conference foes.
“I mean, it does, and we know that. But I think one of the things you’re trying to maintain is the focus on playing, just like you have been,” Holiday said. “They found a really good rhythm, a relaxation, if you will, where the environment is not impacting the way we play. And if we could just stay in that mode and play one pitch at a time we’ll be in good shape.”
This Big 12 championship matchup will be the final scheduled meeting for the two Oklahoma-based programs as Big 12 opponents. It is also the first time that they have met in the conference championship game. And although the Sooners are the higher-seeded team, the Cowboys on the season series lead this year, winning three out of their four matchups. And if Oklahoma State’s dominance continues, they will very well make it four out of five and in the year as tournament champions of the conference.
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