Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
Oklahoma
Cowboys Secure Outright Big 12 Championship
May 16, 2014 | Cowboy Baseball
May 16, 2014
Box Score - Photos
TULSA, Okla. – Oklahoma State's fifth walk-off win of the season, a 2-1 triumph over Bedlam-rival Oklahoma, crowned the No. 6 Cowboys the outright 2014 Big 12 Conference champions Friday night at ONEOK Field.
Craig McConaughy scored the winning run from second after OU second baseman Kolbey Carpenter made an error following an infield single by Saulyer Saxon.
The win was the 12th in a row for the Cowboys, matching OSU's longest winning streak ever as a member of the Big 12, as they improved to 41-13 overall and 18-5 in league play. The Pokes won 12 games in a row in 2008 and 1998, with their longest streak prior to that coming as members of the Big Eight when they won 15 straight in 1996.
With the victory, coach Josh Holliday's ballclub also secured its seventh consecutive Big 12 series win of the year, something the Cowboys have never done. OSU's previous longest Big 12 series winning streaks of six came in 2006 and 2008. The Pokes did win eight series in row during a two-year span (final six in 2006, first two in 2007).
“I'm really proud of our kids and everyone associated with our program, the people that work every single day to serve this program and do the things necessary for it to be great again – and that starts with the players,” said Holliday, who has now won conference titles as a player and coach for the Cowboys. “It's good for Oklahoma State, it's why I came back. I'm really proud and happy for them, but we have other things we need to continue to stay focused on doing.
“This is a moment that we'll never forget, but I hope it's just one of several for this group. I think all of us in our uniform can take this and cherish it.”
The first memorable moment for the Cowboys Friday night came via Donnie Walton, who delivered a solo home run in the bottom of the third inning. Walton's third blast of the year cleared the wall in right field and gave OSU a 1-0 lead.
From there, OSU rode the right arm of freshman Tyler Buffett, who had a career night on the mound for the Cowboys.
Buffett tossed seven scoreless innings, allowing just four hits and racking up a career-high six strikeouts, besting his previous high of five set in his collegiate debut on Feb. 18 against Alcorn State. The seven innings also marked a career-long outing, topping a 5 2/3 inning effort against Kansas on April 19.
After failing to score off Buffett, the Sooners (27-27, 7-16) finally got on the scoreboard in the eighth. Vince Wheeland came out of the OSU bullpen and surrendered a leadoff infield single to Carpenter, who then advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and a balk.
Up next, OU got another infield single to put runners on the corners with one out, and Colt Bickerstaff delivered a sacrifice fly to bring home the tying run before another fly out ended the inning.
The score remained tied at 1-1 entering the ninth, and in the top of the inning, Saxon showcased his defensive skills, making a great diving catch in center field to end a perfect frame for Wheeland.
Leading off the bottom of the ninth, McConaughy was hit by a pitch, then advanced to second when pinch hitter Aaron Cornell laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt.
That brought Saxon to the plate, and after falling behind in the count 1-2, the senior sent a chopper up the middle. Carpenter got a glove on it but then dropped the ball, allowing McConaughy to race home with the winning run.
“I was in a hole with two strikes and just trying to put the ball in play and make something good happen, and it happened,” Saxon said.
Saxon finished with two of OSU's five hits in the contest as the Cowboys improved to 11-0 in one-run games this season.
OSU will play for its fourth Big 12 series sweep of the season Saturday when the teams conclude the regular season at 7 p.m.
