Semifinal Showdown in Surprise
The Oklahoma State Cowboys entered the Big 12 Tournament semifinals with a 37‑20 record, only to see their season slip away in a 9‑2 loss to the top‑seeded Kansas Jayhawks.
Kansas struck first, building a 2‑0 lead in the opening inning with back‑to‑back RBI singles that put early pressure on the Cowboys.
Oklahoma State answered in the sixth frame when Avery Ortiz drove in a run with an RBI double, snapping the shutout and adding a much‑needed point to the board.
The momentum shifted again in the bottom of the eighth, when Kansas erupted for six runs, highlighted by Tyson LeBlanc’s two‑out grand slam that sealed a 9‑2 victory.
Despite the defeat, the Cowboys remain on the bubble for an at‑large bid to the NCAA Tournament, a prospect that has kept their fans hopeful heading into the selection show.
Key contributors for Oklahoma State included Ortiz and Aidan Meola, each collecting two hits, while pitcher Ethan Lund struck out eight batters before surrendering three runs over six innings. The lineup also featured Brock Thompson and Mason Cook, who provided defensive support throughout the game.