Published: May 07, 2008 12:56 am            

Cowboys may be primed for a run

Frank Anderson’s Oklahoma State University baseball team is in the midst of one of its best seasons in about a decade. And it should pay off when the NCAA tournament sites are announced later this month.

The Cowboys, 35-12 overall, are ranked as high as eighth in the national polls. Based on its resume, OSU should host an NCAA regional for the first time since 1997, barring a late-season collapse.

OSU’s No. 8 ranking in this week’s USA Today ESPN coaches poll matches its highest ranking since 1999, the last time the Cowboys ventured to the College World Series.

The Cowboys appear to have a team capable of making a run to Omaha. Fresh off a 12-game winning streak, OSU features an offense that leads the Big 12 in batting average (.326), home runs (61), RBIs (363), runs (386) and slugging percentage (.521).

Their .326 team batting average would be the Cowboys’ best since they finished the 1997 season with a .328 average.

OSU’s pitching also has been strong. Enid native Matt Peck is part of a Cowboys staff that has a team ERA of 3.83. Should that hold up, it would be OSU’s lowest since 1974.

Peck has a 2-1 record and a 2.91 ERA in 34 innings.

The Cowboys are an astounding 28-0 when leading after six innings.

The Cowboys’ postseason journey could begin and end at home at Allie P. Reynolds Stadium. At least, it should.

A No. 8 ranking means OSU is on the edge of a top-eight national seed. The Cowboys had a No. 5 RPI ranking, which would seem favorable.

Should they garner a top-eight seed and continue to win in the postseason, the Cowboys would be in line to host NCAA regionals and super regionals.

OSU has a 13-6 record against ranked teams and eight wins against top 10 foes.

The Cowboys have won two of three against Big 12 powers Texas A&M, Nebraska and Missouri. Yet, the Aggies and Huskers are ranked ahead of OSU.

Go figure.

The Cowboys travel to Houston tonight to face No. 5-ranked Rice. A win against a traditionally strong Owls program would be a big feather in the Cowboys’ hat. And it might help sway the NCAA tournament committee in their favor.

The NCAA selection committee will announce its 64-team field later this month. OSU figures to be a contender for the CWS, no matter where it plays.

But, with a 23-3 record in Stillwater, the Cowboys’ road to Omaha sure would seem a lot smoother.



Hein is a News & Eagle sports writer.