Oklahoma State opened its series against No. 16 Arizona State with a 13‑6 victory that left the crowd at the Phoenix ballpark buzzing.
A barrage of homers
The Cowboys unleashed a barrage of power, sending seven balls over the fence, including two‑bagger performances by Colin Brueggemann and Alex Conover.
Key performances
Brock Thompson continued his on‑base streak, extending it to 43 games, while Stormy Rhodes earned the win, improving to 3‑2 on the mound.
Early lead and response
Arizona State struck first in the second inning when Dominic Smaldino launched a solo homer, but the lead was short‑lived.
Fourth‑inning explosion
OSU answered in the third with a timely double by Thompson that put them ahead, and the momentum swung dramatically in the fourth when the Cowboys erupted for four consecutive homers, stretching the score to 8‑3.
Late‑game sealing
The offensive onslaught didn’t stop there; solo shots from Brueggemann and Conover in the ninth sealed the final margin.
Pitching nuances
Reliever Noah Wech surrendered a run in the seventh, and Arizona State added two more in the eighth, but the Cowboys’ bullpen held firm.
The series finale is scheduled for 3 p.m. CDT on Sunday, giving both teams a chance to adjust before the next showdown.