'I Wanted to Give Everything I Can' — Pesca's Transformation Sets Tone for OSU Baseball

Bronx native sacrifices old habits, lives in weight room to prepare for pivotal senior campaign

Daniel Allen

Feb 12, 2026 - 4 min read

Oklahoma State right-hander Mario Pesca delivers a pitch during the Cowboys' game against Kansas on March 30, 2025, in Lawrence, Kansas. The 6-foot-8 pitcher lost more than 30 pounds during the offseason, transforming his body and elevating his game ahead of his senior season. Pesca will start Saturday against Oklahoma at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. – Photo Courtesy OSU Athletics

'I Wanted to Give Everything I Can' — Pesca's Transformation Sets Tone for OSU Baseball — Oklahoma State right-hander Mario Pesca delivers a pitch during the Cowboys' game against Kansas on March 30, 2025, in Lawrence, Kansas. The 6-foot-8 pitcher lost more than 30 pounds during the offseason, transforming his body and elevating his game ahead of his senior season. Pesca will start Saturday against Oklahoma at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. – Photo Courtesy OSU Athletics

Mario Pesca walked into the O’Brate Stadium team meeting room, donning a new physique and a new mentality.

The new mentality? Stone-cold focus on the task at hand. Maintaining feasible pitch execution and durability to help OSU attain new heights for the upcoming season.

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