RECAP: OSU knocks off Clemson 12-2

The Oklahoma State Cowboys baseball team is one step closer to advancing to the super regional, after a 12-2 rout of the host team Clemson.

Garrett Benge got things going early for the Pokes with an RBI single to put OSU up 1-0. Conor Costello scored Donnie Walton shortly after, and the Cowboys took a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the first.

The two runs scored in the first inning were all Tyler Buffett needed.

The sophomore from New Mexico put on a pitching clinic, and shut down a Clemson team that scored 24 runs in the previous game. Buffett went seven innings strong and allowed only one run, while striking out six.

In the top of of the second, Corey Hassel smoked a two-out RBI double to put up the Pokes up 3-0. But the Cowboys were only getting started that inning.

Oklahoma State was able to get Clemson starting pitcher Clate Schmidt out of the game after a mere 1 ⅓ innings, after a six run inning extended the lead to 8-0.

The Tigers were able to get a run back in the bottom of the third, but by then the game was decided.

The two teams were scorless for the next few innings, but the Oklahoma State offense came back alive in the seventh, scoring three more runs. The Cowboys made it 12-1 in the bottom of the eight, and the Cowboys secured their ticket to the regional final as Garrett Williams closed it out.

Oklahoma State belted out 17 hits in Saturday’s win, and has allowed only two runs in 18 innings of regional baseball.

The Cowboys will await the winner of Western Carolina and Clemson today at 11 a.m. With a win, the Pokes will be headed to their second super regional in three years. With a loss, Oklahoma State will play a winner-take-all game on Monday.

The Cowboys play the winner of Western Carolina and Clemson tonight at 6 p.m.