Cowboys Drop Series Finale

Sunday, March 6

Stillwater, Okla.

1:00:00 PM

Oklahoma State University

6-6

Indiana State

7-5

Indiana State

Oklahoma State

Tyler Buffett

March 06, 2016 | Cowboy Baseball

Box Score

STILLWATER, Okla. — Oklahoma State was shutout for the first time this season Sunday afternoon as the 22^nd-ranked Cowboys suffered a 2-0 loss to Indiana State in the series finale at Allie P. Reynolds Stadium.

The Cowboys managed just three hits — all singles — as they saw their four-game winning streak snapped and fell to 6-6 on the season.

Starter Michael Mertz took the loss as the right-hander allowed two runs on six hits in 4 2/3 innings. The junior did rack up seven strikeouts, the most by a Cowboy pitcher this season, but fell to 0-1 on the year.

Reliever Tyler Buffett continued to dominate on the hill as he relieved Mertz and tossed 3 1/3 scoreless frames, allowing only one hit and striking out five.

OSU's offense, however, could never get on track, with Sycamores' southpaw Justin Hill baffling the Cowboy lineup for 7 2/3 innings.

The Sycamores (7-5) plated the only run they would need in the third. After loading the bases following three-straight singles to open the inning, Mertz struck out Andy DeJesus. But a wild pitch brought home the game's first run before Mertz could get out of the inning with two more strikeouts.

ISU tacked on another run in the fifth as DeJesus doubled with two outs and then came around to score on a single by Kaden Moore to make the score 2-0.

After being held hitless over the first four innings, OSU finally broke through when Conor Costello singled to open the bottom of the fifth. But Dustin Williams flied out, and J.R. Davis grounded into a double play to thwart any chance of a Cowboy rally.

In the seventh, OSU brought the go-ahead run to the plate in the form of Williams after back-to-back two-out walks to Donnie Walton and Costello, but Williams once again flew out to end the threat.

In its final at bat, OSU brought the top of the order to the plate, and leadoff hitter Corey Hassel singled up the middle to open the bottom of the ninth. However, ISU's Jeremy McKinney struck out both Garrett McCain and Walton looking before Costello fouled out to end the game.

OSU returns to action Tuesday when it travels to Springfield, Mo., to take on Missouri State at 3 p.m.