Oklahoma State Cowboys
Overall Rank: #25
Conference Rank: #3 Big 12
Oklahoma State reached the College World Series for the 20th time in school history. The Cowboys had a tough road to even make it that far, but they made easy work of the Clemson Regional and beat South Carolina 5-1 and 3-1 in the Super Regional. The Cowboys did not lose a game in the NCAA Tournament until Arizona managed to beat them twice with a trip to the championship series on the line. That was a disappointing way for the Cowboys to end their season, but Coach Josh Holliday has this program moving in the right direction and this is a group that has the potential to return to Omaha.
2016: 43-22, 16-8
2016 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Josh Holliday
Key Departed Players:
Thomas Hatch, 2.14 ERA, 130.1 IP, 112 SO
J.R. Davis, .347 BA, 1 HR, 32 RBI
Donnie Walton, .337 BA, 3 HR, 44 RBI
Corey Hassel, .282 BA, 6 HR, 39 RBI
Key Returning Players:
Tyler Buffett, P, 2.81 ERA, 83.1 IP, 76 SO, 9 SV
Trey Cobb, P, 3.09 ERA, 81.2 IP, 100 SO, 6 SV
Jensen Elliott, P, 3.50 ERA, 87.1 IP, 71 SO
Garrett Benge, IF, .292 BA, 4 HR, 40 RBI
Dustin Williams, .218 BA, 14 HR, 42 RBI
Projection:
In order to get back to Omaha, Oklahoma State will have to continue to get great pitching. Tyler Buffett, Trey Cobb and Jensen Elliott are a superb trio to build around, but this team will certainly miss ace Thomas Hatch. In an impressive 130.1 innings of work, Hatch struck out 112 batters and sported a 2.14 ERA. The bigger concern will likely be on offense where the Cowboys have a lot of talent to replace. Garrett Benge drove in 40 runs last season and should emerge as one of the more consistent hitters on the team. First baseman Dustin Williams may not be consistent, but he is a threat to hit a homerun every time he is at the plate. As a junior last season Williams belted 14 homeruns with 42 RBIs. Oklahoma State must find some players who can consistently get on base. Without J.R. Davis and Donnie Walton, the power hitters may not have the opportunity to drive in so many runs in 2017.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Baseball Tournament
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