Photo OSU Athletics Greg Bullard
PHOENIX, Ariz. – The No. 8 Oklahoma State Cowboys avoided a sweep at the hands of the No. 14 Arizona State Sun Devils with a 9-8 win on Sunday at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. The Cowboys offense sent six runs across in the third inning and held on for a narrow one-run win to avoid an 0-3 start to the season.
The Oklahoma State third inning was paced by a pair of two-run hits by sophomore bats with the first being a two RBI single by first baseman Dustin Williams and the second a two-run double by left fielder Ryan Sluder as the Cowboys led 6-0. Sun Devils’ starter Darin Gillies (Sr., RHP) was knocked from the game lasting 2.1 innings with five earned runs allowed.
The Devils would strike back as junior catcher R.J. Ybarra hit a one out solo homer in the fourth that started a three-run rally. An RBI infield single by David Greer (So., 3B) and another run on a fielder’s choice by Zach Cerbo (So., C) cut the lead in half to 6-3.
The Cowboys extended the lead to 8-3 on a two-run blast by sophomore third baseman Kevin Bradley in the fifth but the Devils got the runs back in the home half of the frame on a two-run double to the gap by senior left fielder Jake Peevyhouse to cut the lead to 8-5. RBIs from game two hero Jordan Aboites (Jr. 2B) and Trever Allen (RSr., RF) to cut the lead to 8-5.
Junior designated hitter Conor Costello got his first hit and RBI of the series in the sixth for what would be the winning run to give the Pokes a 9-5 advantage. In the bottom of the sixth, game two hero Jordan Aboites (Jer., 2B) and Trever Allen (RSr., RF) each added an RBI to cut the lead to 9-7.
Game one hero Colby Woodmansee (So., SS) hit a solo shot in the seventh to cut the Devil’s deficit to a run at 9-8. Arizona State’s eighth inning rally attempts was cut short as Oklahoma State reliever Remey Reed (So., RHP) induced Aboites into a double play ball to empty the bases.
The Cowboys managed to salvage a win in the series with the help of starter Michael Freeman (Sr., LHP) who threw 4.2 innings allowing four runs in the no decision.
