What we've learned about OSU baseball ahead of Big 12 play
Ritchie looks the part, starting pitching rotation is surging while questions still linger within OSU's bullpen as the Cowboys open conference play against UCF
Nonconference play has concluded for Oklahoma State
The Cowboys wrapped up their non-Big 12 slate with a 12-4 record. Now, Big 12 play awaits them, starting Friday at 5 p.m. at John Euliano Ballpark in a road series against UCF.
“We’ve played some good games already this season against good teams,” coach Josh Holliday said. “Going into conference play, it’s an extension of what we’ve been preparing for.”
After an uninspiring 0-2 start to the season, being outscored 22-3 in that span, Holliday’s team has responded accordingly. The Cowboys have flashed elite offensive talent, showcased stellar pitching but have also left some areas of concern in the open. OSU is on the outside looking in with D1Baseball’s Top 25, but a handful of key series against upper-tier conference opponents await. So, plenty of opportunities exist for this group to crack the rankings.
Here is a look at what we’ve learned so far about OSU with conference play beginning this week.
OSU has the makings of an elite starting pitching rotation
With long-time pitching coach Rob Walton no longer calling pitches, uncertainty around OSU’s starting rotation lingered in the fall.
During the offseason, Holliday hired Blake Hawksworth from Oregon to replace Walton. He commended Hawksworth for his MLB experience and West Coast roots throughout fall camp. And so far, both have translated in-game.
OSU’s trio of starters — Barrett, sophomore southpaw Ethan Lund and veteran right-hander Mario Pesca — boasts a 2.7 ERA on average, and have combined for 90 strikeouts.
ADVERTISEMENT
A message from Visit Stillwater
Shop, dine, and play your way through Stillwater this March. From gravel road races and McKnight Center shows to browsing local shops, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
Barrett is a lanky 6-foot-5 prospect whose wipeout changeup is a heralded commodity within his arsenal. So far, he’s donning a 1.86 ERA, to go with 29 strikeouts through four starts. He exited his start against Gardner-Webb a week ago due to arm soreness and will likely to miss some time. However, he is expected to return within a reasonable time frame per D1Baseball’s Kendall Rogers.
Lund boasts a 1.74 ERA and ranks fifth in college baseball with 40 strikeouts and has flashed ace potential, while Pesca has settled in after a rough first two starts.
As OSU’s offense continues to find its identity and younger pieces within the bullpen develop, success from the Cowboys’ starting pitchers will be vital moving forward.
Cowboys appear less one-dimensional on offense than in recent years
Old habits often die hard, and the long ball has treated OSU well through 16 games.
The Cowboys’ 34 team home runs ranks atop the Big 12 and is tied for seventh nationally. But they haven’t been nearly as reliant on that element in comparison to a season ago.
Junior catcher Campbell Smithwick has been a prime example of that.
Holliday has joked about how Smithwick could “teach the class on two-out hitting.” But so far, that half-satirical sentiment might hold more truth than what meets the eye.
Smithwick transferred to OSU from Ole Miss over the offseason and has swiftly asserted himself as the team’s primary catcher. Largely due to his hitting ability. While he has only one home run this season and two extra-base hits, his .333 batting average highlights his hitting placement and ability to deliver in crucial situations. Case in point — his walk-off home run against Dallas Baptist on Tuesday.
OSU is averaging 8.3 runs per game with a .286 team batting average — seventh in the Big 12 — and 150 hits. At this point a season ago, the Cowboys averaged 8.1 runs per game and held a team batting average of .262.
Smithwick is only one of seven consistent lineup members to boast an average above .300. Which, if anything, shows how much deeper this year’s lineup is in contrast to last year’s.
Kollin Ritchie has looked the part
Kollin Ritchie carried immense MLB Draft buzz into his junior campaign following a stellar showing in last season’s Athens Regional.
He hasn’t missed a beat.
The 6-foot-2, 225-pound center fielder doesn’t fit the mold of a prototypical slugger. Yet, his stats do.
Ritchie’s 11 home runs is tied for third nationally with UCLA’s Will Gasparino. But he has complemented that with stellar hitting all around. Ritchie's .362 batting average leads the team, while his 31 RBI, 1.034 slugging percentage and 1.490 OPS rank atop the Big 12
And if anything, his hot start might be indicative that he won’t be slowing down any time soon.
“He has been part of some good offenses, and now he’s kind of the go-to guy in this offense,” Holliday said on Opening Weekend. “So, people are going to focus on him a little tighter. So, if he can learn how to take his walks, when he gets good pitches, he’ll make sure he doesn’t miss them.”
The bullpen is an area of concern
While OSU’s starting rotation has been a bright spot, the bullpen has its flaws.
The Cowboys don a 5.16 team ERA, which ranks 11th in the Big 12. A large portion of that elevated number stems from bullpen inefficiencies.
Of the 11 relievers to make an appearance on the mound, eight have ERAs above 4, and six above 5. Closer Noah Wech, sophomore righty Stormy Rhodes and freshman Drew Winslow are the lone arms donning ERAs below 3. While it would be premature to sound the alarms this early, the progression of the bullpen will be something to keep tabs of as the season goes on.
If the Cowboys hope to contend for a Big 12 title and beyond, prospect development will be vital. Otherwise, a miscue in high-leverage situations down the stretch could come costly.
Cowboys have a promising freshman nucleus
Holliday raved about his freshman pieces during the team’s media day in February. Fast-forward, we’ve seen why.
Each has established themselves in their own way. Sebastian Norman with his home run strength. Danny Wallace and Remo Indomenico with their hitting approaches. Deacon Pomeroy with a fine mixture of both. Terrance Bowen with his glove. And Ezra Essex with his speed on the base paths.
Third baseman Aidan Meola commended the team’s depth, calling it a “good problem to have.”
With injuries to key pieces already surfacing — second baseman Avery Ortiz and shortstop Brock Thompson — OSU’s depth has been tested. So far, it’s passed handily, largely due to production from the aforementioned prospects.
And it’s worth noting these freshmen will only progress throughout the season, and beyond. So, whether their time comes at some point in 2026 or Opening Weekend in 2027, they’ll be ready when their names are called for a full-time spot.
Members Discussion