OKLAHOMA STATE
The Pokes went 41-20 last season, with a 15-9 conference record for head coach Josh Holiday. That was enough to help them finish second in the Big 12 in regular season play. They made it all the way to the championship game in the Big 12 tournament, where they lost to TCU 12-5.
The Cowboys have four returning players who appeared in over 40 games and maintained a batting average over .300. Nolan Schubart will arguably be the best bat returning for the 2024 season, as last year he ended with a batting average of .338, while also hitting 17 homers and driving in 74 runs, which was the most on the team. Also, watch for OF/RHP Carson Benge to lead the team in several hitting categories. ,The Cowboys return five starters and 16 letterwinners from a year ago. Also returning to the lineup are 2023 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year Tyler Wulfert and Colin Brueggemann, both of whom were All-Big 12 Second Team performers last season.
They bring back a bit of experience in the pitching department as well. There are 124 innings of experience returning to the Pokes in 2024, and that is not including the haul of transfers they brought in this offseason.
High School signees include:
Charlie Carter, Little Rock (Ark.) Christian HS, C
Xavier Casserilla, Seminole State, INF
Max Galvin, Miami Dade (Fla.) Junior College, OF
Brian Holiday, Central Florida Junior College, RHP
Cole Johnson, Lake Travis (Texas) HS, 1B/OF
Blake Julius, Mansfield Legacy (Texas) HS, RHP
Max Knight, Bixby, LHP
Donovan LaSalle, Barbe (La.) HS, OF/INF
Austin Lemon, Heritage Hall, OF
Avery Ortiz, Tulsa Union, INF
Kyler Proctor, Silo, INF
Kollin Ritchie, Atoka, INF
Weston Rouse, Fort Gibson, LHP
Addison Smith, Liberty (Mo.) HS, INF
Tate Smith, Eaton (Colo.) HS, RHP
The Cowboys have four returning players who appeared in over 40 games and maintained a batting average over .300. Nolan Schubart will arguably be the best bat returning for the 2024 season, as last year he ended with a batting average of .338, while also hitting 17 homers and driving in 74 runs, which was the most on the team.
Transfers include:.
Aaron Weber from Oklahoma Sooners- Weber made 19 appearances last spring with uneven results. He had a 9.50 ERA with 22 strikeouts and 13 walks.
Bryson Hudgen from McNeese State- He allowed just five earned runs and posted a 2.81 ERA while throwing 16 innings over five starts. He struck out 11 and walked three while allowing a .246 opponents’ batting average.
Sam Garcia LHP from High Point- Garcia had a 1.94 ERA in 16 games, including eight starts, which was second in the conference. He led the conference with just 13 walks. His 0.98 WHIP was second in the Big South and ranked 19th nationally. Garcia helps fill a huge need for the Cowboys’ rotation. He could slot in for a weekend spot or bounce around as needed.
Lane Forsythe shortstop Mississippi State- He spent the past three seasons with the Bulldogs and started 130 of 145 games. His best season was his freshman year when he started 58 games at shortstop and was named to the College World Series All-Tournament team as Mississippi State won the national championship. Last season, he batted .248 with two home runs, 14 RBIs and four stolen bases. Known primarily for his glove, Forsythe could help solidify the middle of the infield.
Robert Cranz RHP from Wichita State- A 6-foot-3 reliever, Cranz had a strong sophomore season with the Shockers. In 19 appearances he was 1-3 with a 3.98 ERA and a save. He allowed 29 hits and struck out 43 while walking just 12 in 31 2/3 innings.
