Alan Cole
| For The Oklahoman
ATHENS, GA. — One run short.
Oklahoma State baseball pulled off one ninth-inning rally to extend its season on Sunday at the NCAA Athens Regional, but could not turn the trick twice as Duke squeaked out a 3-2 win to complete the regional sweep and eliminate the Cowboys.
The loss confirms this as the fifth year in a row Oklahoma State (30-25) has lost in a regional, although the Cowboys went down with a fight. After losing Saturday, Josh Holliday’s squad beat Binghamton on Saturday, scored four runs in the ninth inning to stun No. 7-seeded Georgia in Sunday’s early game and had a 2-0 lead over Duke (40-19) in the nightcap, but could not hold on.
The Blue Devils scored three runs in the eighth to take their first lead of the game. AJ Gracia started the rally with a solo home run, and after putting two more runners on base with one out, Holliday brought in Friday starting pitcher Mario Pesca out of the bullpen for the jam.
Pesca retired the first batter he faced, but Duke designated hitter Sam Harris laced a two-out, two-strike two-run single into the gap in right center to flip the score.
Oklahoma State appeared to get the tying run on base with two outs in the ninth when designated hitter Garrett Shull struck out on a pitch in the dirt that got past catcher Macon Winslow. Shull beat the throw to first base, which got behind first baseman Jayke Hyde. Second baseman Jake Berger then tagged Shull as he ran back to the bags.
But after a review, it was deemed that Shull was an illegal runner due to touching the green bag in foul territory, which Hyde had his foot on to make the play. According to the rules, on a dropped third strike, the fielder can choose which bag to use, forcing the runner to choose the opposite. Shull never touched the white base.
That ruling ended the game and the Cowboys’ season.
Freshman starting pitcher Noah Wech was the unsung hero of the losing effort. In just his second-career start, he threw six shutout innings with just five hits allowed, five strikeouts and no walks.
Watch Oklahoma State vs Georgia baseball live with Fubo
Oklahoma State baseball vs Duke live score updates in NCAA Tournament
What time is OSU baseball vs Georgia today?Date: Sunday, June 1Time: 5:06 p.m. CT
The Oklahoma State vs Georgia game starts at 11 a.m. CT Sunday from Foley Field in Athens, Georgia.
What channel is Oklahoma State vs Duke on today?
The Oklahoma State vs Duke NCAA baseball regional championship game will be streamed on ESPN+.
NCAA Athens Regional schedule
All times are Central
Friday, May 30Saturday, May 31Sunday, June 1Game 5: Oklahoma State 11, No. 7 Georgia 9Game 6: Duke vs. Oklahoma State, 5 p.m. (ESPN+)Monday, June 2 (if necessary)
Game 7: Game 6 winner vs. Game 6 loser, TBD (TBD)
Oklahoma State vs Duke baseball highlights in NCAA Tournament
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