Hudson Barrett, freshman trio lift Cowboys ast GCU 9-1 to even series

The Cowboys came out swinging, and didn’t let up.

After an uninspiring performance in the series opener Thursday, Oklahoma State responded with a 9-1 win against Grand Canyon on Friday at GCU Ballpark to even the series. Ace southpaw Hudson Barrett kept an explosive Lopes’ (2-3) offense at bay for six innings, and OSU’s bullpen did the rest over the latter three. OSU’s offense ignited with 12 hits and three home runs, settling a balanced team effort.

Now, with two more games remaining in the series, the Cowboys (2-3) will turn to Senior right-hander Mario Pesca in Game 3 of the series on Saturday at 3 p.m.

Here are three takeaways from the game.

Barrett slams the door

Barrett dazzled in his second start as a Cowboy, but not without early adversity.

In the bottom of the first, GCU loaded the bases with two outs off two singles and a fielding error. One costly pitch could have jolted momentum in the Lopes’ (2-3) favor. Instead, OSU’s ace left-hander collected himself and struck out GCU second baseman Troy Sanders on a nasty backdoor changeup to keep the contest scoreless and leave the bases juiced.

From that point on, it was smooth sailing for Barrett.

Oklahoma State starting pitcher Hudson Barrett (36) fires in a pitch in the third inning against Arkansas on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. – Photo by Luke Tolbert

After the second inning, his strikeout total sat at five. By the fourth, seven. It only grew from there.

Barrett finished the night with nine strikeouts, surrendering only four hits, one walk and no earned runs through six innings of work and 94 total pitches. And in proper fashion, Barrett finalized his outing in the bottom of the sixth, stranding two more GCU runners in scoring position. He emphatically pounded his chest, let out a euphoric roar and pranced toward the visitor’s dugout as a herd of teammates greeted him.

His steady mixture of sinker and his wipeout changeup stifled a potent GCU lineup. It also showed why OSU coach Josh Holliday commended Barrett during the team’s media day and boasted about his decision to transfer to OSU from UC-Santa Barbara in the offseason.

If the Cowboys hope to contend in the Big 12 race and make a postseason run this season, Barrett will need to be at his best. And if anything, Friday could be an indication that might be the case.

Your local lumber source for any project.
Stillwater Building Center carries lumber and panels at 4521 S. Perkins Rd, just south of Stillwater on Highway 177. Convenient location, expert help.
📞 405-372-5959

Plan Your Project

Freshman trio lead the charge offensively

Veteran prospects contributed to OSU’s offensive onslaught. But the freshmen led the charge, as three first-year prospects tallied their first collegiate hits.

In the top of the third, freshman designated hitter Sebastian Norman recorded his first collegiate home run and gave OSU its first lead of the weekend, unloading on a hanging slider from GCU ace Garrett Ahern for a lead-off solo blast. That gave the Cowboys an advantage they wouldn’t relinquish.

Terrance Bowen ignited a loud fourth inning with a bases-loaded, RBI-single — his first collegiate hit — to give OSU a 2-0 lead. Two at-bats later, Remo Indomenico launched a pitch from Ahern down the right field line for a 2-RBI, bases-clearing triple — also his first collegiate hit — to make it 5-0. Junior center fielder Kollin Ritchie finalized a five-run offensive frame with an RBI-single up the middle to break things open.

The Cowboys logged three more runs in the sixth off back-to-back homers from Ritchie and senior third baseman Aidan Meola to conclude their scoring.

Throughout the offseason, Holliday boasted about his team’s “deep” freshman class. Case in point — Friday.

The freshman trio of Norman, Bowen and Indomenico combined for five of OSU’s 12 hits on the night. They sparked an offensive onslaught against Ahern, who boasted immense MLB Draft buzz heading into the season, chasing him after only four innings. Perhaps most importantly, it exposed GCU’s bullpen prematurely, allowing OSU to tally on insurance runs and cruise to a pivotal series-tying victory.

And for the cherry on top, freshman Ezra Essex — normally used as a pinch-runner — also recorded his first collegiate hit on a single to left field in the top of the ninth.

Shop SWO, Win a $250 American Airlines Gift Card!

Celebrate America’s 250th birthday the Stillwater way this Presidents' Day week, by shopping local, dining out, and supporting our community for a chance to win big.

ENTER TO WIN

Injury bug strikes OSU again

Peril struck the Cowboys in the bottom of the first.

With two outs, sophomore shortstop Brock Thompson made a sliding grab-and-throw to first. He winced as he rose from the outfield grass staring at his right hand. Shortly after, play stopped as Holliday sprinted out of the OSU dugout to check on him.

Evan Saunders, a transfer from Iowa Western Community College, replaced Thompson at shortstop in the second inning. He made a handful of impressive plays defensively, including a diving snag of a line drive in the bottom of the seventh to end the frame and strand two GCU runners in scoring position.

But holistically, uncertainty lingers around the Cowboys' middle infield.

Oklahoma State sophomore second baseman Brock Thompson (1) walks back toward the visitor's dugout after striking out on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Thompson departed OSU's game against Grand Canyon on Friday due to injury. – Photo by Luke Tolbert

The Cowboys are already without junior starting second baseman Avery Ortiz for the foreseeable future after he exited play late in OSU’s second game of the season against Oklahoma last weekend. Now, Thompson’s status is unknown.

His exit wasn’t detrimental on Friday, but it might be down the road. Not only because of his savvy defensive ability, but primarily due to his hot bat. Heading into Friday’s contest, Thompson led the Cowboys with a .333 batting average through four games.

Fortunately for OSU, Saunders was a standout hitter at Iowa Western. He posted a .382 career batting average through two seasons, including a .408 clip a year ago, to go with 12 RBIs. Time and live game reps will allow him to find his groove offensively.

That's the glass half-full perspective.

Injuries gashed the Cowboys a season ago. They hindered a lineup that on paper was loaded offensively, and put a damper on any opportunity to establish continuity and consistency from key pieces. OSU fans, players and coaches can only hope this won't be a parallel reflection of what transpired a season ago.

Glass half-empty.

Thompson was a headliner for the Cowboys' lineup heading into the season. And OSU being without him for extensive time would be costly in the long run.