Cowboy Baseball Victorious In Home Opener With 7-4 Win Over Central Michigan

Oklahoma State opened its weekend series against Central Michigan with a 7-4 win Friday in the Cowboys' home opener at O'Brate Stadium.

With the win, the Cowboys improved to 5-4, while Central Michigan fell to 3-7.

Offensively, Colin Brueggemann led the way for the Pokes, going 2-for-2 with two home runs and three RBIs, while Jaxson Crull picked up two hits and an RBI, including a homer. Freshman Avery Ortiz also drove in his first-career run in the win.

Evan O'Toole recorded the win in relief as he worked two innings and struck out three while allowing a pair of runs. Gabe Davis earned a save for the Cowboys, going three shutout innings and tying his career high with seven strikeouts.

Sam Garcia started the game on the mound and posted a season-high eight strikeouts in four innings. The southpaw allowed two runs on six hits while walking just one.



OSU took an early 1-0 lead as Crull hit a leadoff home run into the bullpen in right field, and Brueggemann opened the second inning with a solo home run. Later in the second, Ian Daugherty collected an RBI single to give the Cowboys a 3-0 lead. 

Garcia struck out three consecutive batters in a scoreless third, and Brueggemann blasted another home run in the bottom of the inning, this one a two-run shot to right field, to extend the lead to 5-0. 

The Chippewas responded with a single run in consecutive innings and rallied for two more in the sixth to cut their deficit to 6-4.

But Daugherty recorded his second RBI single of the game to extend the lead back to three in the seventh, and Davis continued his dominance over the final two innings to seal the win.

The two teams return to action Saturday at 1 p.m., with Sunday's series finale also set for a 1 p.m. first pitch.