Not too many years ago, an Oklahoma State-Texas Tech baseball series would be a must-see event. As recently as this year or last year, 13 players from Texas Tech, including Josh Jung, and 11 from Oklahoma State, including Nolan McLean and Carson Benge, have played in Major League Baseball.
And who can forget Kurt Wilson’s three-run homer that lifted the Red Raiders past the Cowboys in a 2019 super regional and into their fourth College World Series?
Those were the days — for both programs. Now both teams are below .500 in the Big 12, going into a conference series this weekend at Dan Law Field/Rip Griffin Park. Oklahoma State (25-16, 8-10 and tied for 10th in the Big 12) is fighting for its postseason life. Barring making and winning the Big 12 tournament, Tech (22-19, 6-12 and tied for 12th in the Big 12) is going to miss the NCAA tournament for the third year in a row.
The two teams play at 1 p.m. Friday, April 24; 1 p.m. Saturday, April 25; and 1 p.m. Sunday, April 26.
Even events on the other side of the parking lot are stealing the spotlight from Tech-OSU. With George Strait concerts on Friday and Saturday at Jones AT&T Stadium, the baseball series opener is moved up from its usual Friday night slot and goes an hour earlier than normal on Saturday.
Tech, swept in a three-game conference series last weekend at Utah, run-ruled Tarleton State 13-3 in a Tuesday home game and beat Abilene Christian 9-1 in a Wednesday road game. In Tuesday’s game, Connor Shouse had a pair of two-run doubles. In Wednesday’s game, Matt Quintanar hit a three-run homer and a two-run single.
On Thursday, Tech right fielder/relief pitcher Jesse Rusinek was among 15 semifinalists named for the John Olerud Award, which goes to the nation’s top two-way player. Rusinek has been on the shelf this week with what Tech coach Tim Tadlock said was a stress reaction in his back. He came out of the Utah series finale, escorted by an athletic trainer, when it flared while pitching.
Tadlock said Rusinek had felt the discomfort since mid-February.
“It’s kind of day-to-day,” Tadlock said. “We’re waiting to hear from the doctor, a back doctor, to say, ‘This is how much time he needs to rest’ and kind of watch and see how he is day to day. We could get here tomorrow, and they say, ‘Hey, he can play.’ “
Oklahoma State ranks second in NCAA Division I in home runs with 89. Center fielder Kollin Ritchie (.292, 21 home runs, 56 RBIs) is fourth in Division I in homers. First baseman Colin Brueggemann (.259-11-43), third baseman Aidan Meola (.278-10-40), and shortstop Brock Thompson (.322-9-36) also hit for power.
Texas Tech baseball vs. Oklahoma State
∎ When: 1 p.m. Friday, April 24; 1 p.m. Saturday, April 25; 1 p.m. Sunday, April 26
∎ Where: Dan Law Field/Rip Griffin Park
∎ Records: Oklahoma State 25-16, 8-10 in the Big 12; Texas Tech 22-19, 6-12
∎ Rankings in USA TODAY Sports coaches poll/RPI: Oklahoma State unranked/45; Texas Tech unranked/108
How to watch Texas Tech baseball vs. Oklahoma State
∎ Online streaming: All games on ESPN+
Texas Tech baseball upcoming schedule
All times CDT. Home games in ALL CAPS. An asterisk (*) denotes Big 12 games.
∎ Friday, April 24: OKLAHOMA STATE*, 1 p.m.
∎ Saturday, April 25: OKLAHOMA STATE*, 1 p.m.
∎ Sunday, April 26: OKLAHOMA STATE*, 1 p.m.
∎ Tuesday, April 28: Oklahoma at Riders Field, Frisco, 6:35 p.m.
∎ Friday, May 1: at Baylor*, 6 p.m.
∎ Saturday, May 2: at Baylor*, 2 p.m.
∎ Sunday, May 3: at Baylor*, 1 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech baseball vs. Oklahoma State preview, how to watch Big 12 set
Reporting by Don Williams, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
