Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboy Baseball Concludes Fall Practice
October 20, 2006 | Cowboy Baseball
“The series was very competitive and a good chance for us to put those guys in some tough situations and see how they would respond,” OSU head coach Frank Anderson said. “Our veteran players led the way, and some of the newcomers stepped up and showed us some encouraging things.
“There were a lot of positives to build on, and we're looking forward to getting started up again in January.”
Offensively, the Black club was led by juniors Matt Mangini and Corey Brown. Brown, a third-team All-America selection by Baseball America last season, had a pair of home runs and five RBIs in the series, while Mangini, a transfer from North Carolina State, had a homer and four RBIs.
On the mound, freshman Andy Oliver had a strong series for the Black squad. In two appearances, the southpaw from Vermilion, Ohio recorded six strikeouts in six innings of work and allowed just one run. Fellow freshman Aerik Taylor also took the mound twice, and the righthander struck out six and did not allow a run in 5.1 innings. Senior Josh Fritsche pitched five innings of two-hit, no-run ball in his only appearance.
For the Orange squad, senior All-American and reigning Big 12 Conference Player of the Year Tyler Mach homered twice and drove in five runs during the series. Junior first baseman Rebel Ridling had a double, homer and two RBIs, while senior left fielder Ty Wright drove in three runs.
Senior Oliver Odle had a strong outing in his only appearance on the mound for the Orange club as the righty struck out four and allowed just two hits in five scoreless innings.
In 2007, the Cowboys will return 20 players, including six position starters, from a 2006 club that went 41-20, finished second in the Big 12 Conference standings and was a No. 1 Regional seed in the NCAA Tournament. A trio of All-Americans, as well as the conference player of the year and four all-conference performers, highlight the OSU roster and are joined by a strong recruiting class of 16 players (10 freshmen) that has been ranked in the top 10 nationally.
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