OSU Baseball Rankings in Key Statistical Categories

Pitching

The Pokes have found the majority of their success on the mound. The Pokes lead the Big 12 in ERA (2.20) and are tied with Kansas State for the league lead in strikeouts (208). Starters Thomas Hatch, Jensen Elliott and recent starter Trey Cobb have been incredible. Hatch is fourth in the Big 12 with a 1.70 ERA. Elliott is ninth with a 2.05 ERA and Cobb is right behind him in eighth with a 2.15 ERA. Cobb is also tied for sixth in the league in strikeouts (tied with teammate Tyler Buffett at 35) and retired 13 via strikeout in a start against Michigan.

In relief, Tyler Buffett has been nearly un-hittable. Buffett is second in the league with his 1.27 ERA and tops the entire league in opponents' batting average (.167). His 35.1 innings pitched are eighth and his four wins are tied for second. He is also tied for second in the Big 12 in saves with three.

Blake Battenfield is another name that has been crucial in relief for the Pokes. Battenfield holds a 0.53 ERA but does not qualify for ranking because his 17.0 innings pitched don't meet the minimum of 1.0 IP per game. The only achilles heal for the Pokes' staff has been the amount of walks they have allowed (102). They are second to last in that category.

Batting

The Pokes have not been overly impressive with the bats this year as they sit dead last in the Big 12 with a .246 batting average and have the most strikeouts by a wide margin. Their 207 strikeouts are 19 more than Texas, who is second worst. However, the Pokes lead the league in home runs with 19, which is in large part due to Dustin Williams' seven big flies. Those seven home runs lead the Big 12 as well.

Donnie Walton has been OSU's best hitter so far batting .330, which is tied for ninth in the Big 12. His 29 hits also rank seventh in the league. Corey Hassel has also ranked highly in a couple of categories. Hassel is second in the league in doubles (10) and third in runs (23). Along with leading the league in home runs, Dustin Williams is fourth in the league in RBI (22) and total bases (47). Garrett Benge cracked the top 10 in slugging percentage with his mark of .531.

Base running and fielding

The Pokes are second in the league in stolen bases with 35 but they have been terribly inefficient. They are 35 for 51 and their 16 caught-stealings lead the entire league. Donnie Walton and Corey Hassel are both fourth in the Big 12 with seven stolen bases. OSU is third in the Big 12 in fielding percentage and have found a way to get big outs with runners on base. Their 27 double plays turned is second best in the league.

Be sure to watch the Cowboys in the opener of their series on Tuesday at home against Arkansas at 6 p.m.