Oklahoma State University Athletics
Max Hewitt
2019 Cowboy Baseball: The Infield
January 29, 2019 | Cowboy Baseball
The start of the 2019 baseball season is just over two weeks away, with Oklahoma State opening play at UT Rio Grande Valley on Feb. 15.
OSU is coming off a 31-26-1 season in which the Cowboys finished second in the Big 12 Conference and earned an NCAA Regional berth for the sixth consecutive year under head coach Josh Holliday.
With the '19 season right around the corner, we're breaking down the OSU roster by position, starting with the Cowboy infield, where Holliday says the formula for earning playing time begins with the glove.
"It starts with defense – the guys that catch the ball and exchange the ball and think through game situations the best will get the first look. And then off of that, building into a good offensive formula with the players that you have," Holliday said.
The Returners
Christian Funk, Senior, 6-1, 199, L/R
Max Hewitt, Junior, 6-0, 182, L/R
Dylan Gardner, Sophomore, 5-8, 165, L/R
Jake Taylor, Sophomore, 6-0, 205, R/R
The Newcomers
Alix Garcia, Junior, 6-2, 228, R/R
Andrew Navigato, Junior, 5-11, 188, R/R
Dayton Provost, Junior, 6-2, 205
Cross Factor, Sophomore, 6-0, 183, L/R
Adam Becker, Freshman, 6-4, 220, R/R
Ryan Gendron, Freshman, 6-4, 201, R/R
Hueston Morrill, Freshman, 5-10, 156, R/R
OSU is coming off a 31-26-1 season in which the Cowboys finished second in the Big 12 Conference and earned an NCAA Regional berth for the sixth consecutive year under head coach Josh Holliday.
With the '19 season right around the corner, we're breaking down the OSU roster by position, starting with the Cowboy infield, where Holliday says the formula for earning playing time begins with the glove.
"It starts with defense – the guys that catch the ball and exchange the ball and think through game situations the best will get the first look. And then off of that, building into a good offensive formula with the players that you have," Holliday said.
The Returners
Christian Funk, Senior, 6-1, 199, L/R
- Started 53 games at first base a year ago, his first season with the Cowboys
- Is expected to transition to third base this season
- 2018 Honorable Mention All-Big 12 Performer
- Hit .245 with seven home runs, 10 doubles and 33 RBIs last season
- Named to the NCAA DeLand Regional All-Tournament Team
Max Hewitt, Junior, 6-0, 182, L/R
- Played in 24 games with nine starts in his first season at OSU in 2018
- Works primarily at shortstop but can also play second base
- Started nine games a year ago – five at shortstop and four at second base
- Had six hits in 34 at-bats
Dylan Gardner, Sophomore, 5-8, 165, L/R
- Played in 25 games, starting six, as a freshman last season
- Primarily a second baseman
- Had three starts at second base and three at DH in 2018
- Went 6-for-38 with a double and seven RBIs
Jake Taylor, Sophomore, 6-0, 205, R/R
- Appeared in 26 games, including 20 as a starter, in his freshman campaign
- Is working at first base and can also play catcher
- Started 14 games at catcher and six at DH a year ago
- Hit .231 with a home run, four doubles and 11 RBIs
- Drafted in the 25th round of the 2017 Major League Baseball Draft out of Shawnee High School
The Newcomers
Alix Garcia, Junior, 6-2, 228, R/R
- Starred for two seasons at Central Arizona CC
- Earned all-conference and all-region honors both seasons
- Hit .368 with six home runs, 19 doubles, four triples and 66 RBIs in 56 games as a sophomore
- As a freshman batted .333 with three homers and 42 RBIs
Andrew Navigato, Junior, 5-11, 188, R/R
- Spent last two seasons at Cuesta CC
- Earned conference MVP honors as a sophomore after hitting .387 with six home runs and 52 RBIs in 41 games
- Also had 16 doubles and five triples a year ago
- Had 10 doubles and 16 stolen bases in 40 games as a freshman
Dayton Provost, Junior, 6-2, 205
- Hit .316 with seven doubles, 10 stolen bases and 31 RBIs as a sophomore at Ventura JC
- Began his career at UCLA, where he redshirted in 2016
Cross Factor, Sophomore, 6-0, 183, L/R
- Played at Cowley County CC as a freshman last season
- Hit. 374 in 50 games for the Tigers and was second on team with nine home runs and 60 RBIs
- Starred as a prep at Yukon High School, where he hit .440 with nine homers, 17 doubles and an .836 slugging percentage as a senior for the Millers
Adam Becker, Freshman, 6-4, 220, R/R
- Three-year starter and all-state selection at Midland Lee High School in Midland, Texas
- Led team with a .394 batting average and posted a .445 on-base percentage as a senior
- Hit .429 with four home runs as a junior
Ryan Gendron, Freshman, 6-4, 201, R/R
- Career .370 hitter in three seasons at Bishop Kelley High School
- Hit .459 with 17 extra-base hits and 39 RBIs as a senior to lead Comets to Class 5A state championship
- 2018 Ferguson Jenkins Award winner
- Was also an all-state performer in basketball
Hueston Morrill, Freshman, 5-10, 156, R/R
- Two-way standout at Suwannee High School in Live Oak, Fla.
- A career .291 hitter with 12 home runs, 44 RBIs and 25 stolen bases
- Also posted career 1.40 ERA and 153 strikeouts in 117 1/3 innings
- 2018 Perfect Game All-American
- Drafted in the 36th round of the 2018 Major League Baseball Draft
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