Oklahoma State baseball: Cowboys sweep Kansas State in Big 12 series opener

Oklahoma State started Big 12 play on a good note by sweeping Kansas State this weekend at Allie P. Reynolds in Stillwater. It’s the first series sweep this season for the Cowboys, who improved to 15-7 this season.

Friday (March 22) - Game 1: Oklahoma State 11, Kansas State 4

The Wildcats struck first as Zach Kokoska hit a solo home run down the right field line in the second inning. K-State’s lead didn’t last long, however, as Trevor Boone drove in Andrew Navigato in the third. Colin Simpson walked in the fourth to bring in Christian Funk for a 2-1 OSU lead. The Cowboys then tacked on nine more runs.

Bryce Carter had four RBIs on two hits and scored a run. Simpson displayed patience at the plate with three walks.

On the mound, Jensen Elliott allowed three runs on six hits and struck out three in 6 ¹⁄₃ innings to improve to 3-0. Peyton Battenfield was charged with the Wildcats’ other run.

Saturday (March 23) - Game 2: Oklahoma State 5, Kansas State 4

The Cowboys fell behind a run in the top of the sixth after Will Brennan hit a sacrifice bunt for an RBI. The Pokes tied it up in the bottom of half of the inning when Christian Funk hit a sacrifice fly for Carson McCusker to score. Designated hitter Jake Taylor followed with a sacrifice fly of his own in the eighth to bring in Noah Sifrit for the winning run.

Simpson had a good afternoon with two RBIs on two hits in his three at-bats.

On the mound, starter Joe Lienhard allowed three runs on six hits, walked four and struck out five in five innings of work. Ben Leeper threw 1 ²⁄₃ innings in relief and held K-State to two hits while striking out two for the win.

Sunday (March 24) - Game 3: Oklahoma State 8, Kansas State 4

The Wildcats jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first, but it wouldn’t last long as McCusker hit an RBI single to score Andrew Navigato in the bottom of the inning. The Wildcats scored two more runs for a 4-1 lead in the second, but from the Pokes answered at the plate. Jake Taylor hit a solo home run to right field and Hueston Morrill drove in a run to cut the deficit to 4-3 after the second.

Navigato sent two runners across the plate in the fourth to give OSU the lead then Simpson hit a two-run home run to make it 7-4 Cowboys. Jake Taylor clubbed his second home run of the day in the seventh for the 8-4 final score.

On the mound, Parker Scott earned the win with one inning of relief work. He allowed one hit, walked one and had one strikeout. Starter Brett Standlee exited after giving up four runs on eight hits and striking out one in three innings.

Who’s next?

The Cowboys look to continue their winning ways when they host Bedlam rival Oklahoma on Tuesday night in Stillwater. OSU is riding a seven-game series win streak dating back to March 21, 2017.

First pitch for Tuesday’s game is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. and the game will be televised on Fox Sports Oklahoma.