STILLWATER, Okla. –
The Oklahoma State baseball team is preparing to open the 2026 college baseball season on Friday. The Cowboys will take on Arkansas at 7 pm at Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX, as part of the Shriners Children’s College Showdown. OSU will also Oklahoma and Vanderbilt over the weekend in Arlington.
This will be Josh Holliday’s 14th season as head coach of the Cowboys. He met with the media to preview the 2026 season.
Oklahoma State head coach Josh Holliday
Opening Statement
“It’s hard to believe that we’re roughly a week away. I’m excited to get started. It’s been an awesome group to work with so far. I’m very thankful to have back some of the kids that are here, especially some of the veteran kids that we get to coach for four or five years.
“I’m also excited about our newcomers. I think we have 16 freshmen, eight or nine other newcomers, so we have 24, 25 new members of the team… They’ve been great to work with and we had a great first semester, and now we’re hustling, getting ready to go in the second semester.”
On hiring Blake Hawksworth as pitching coach
“Every time I asked about who was doing a good job, (Blake’s) name came back first every single time. When I researched him and talked to him, I thought he was the perfect fit. Passion to recruit, passion to coach, passion to teach, all the things that I think you need to have to be really effective.”
On Coach Hawksworth’s development with the team so far
“Blake did a great job in the fall getting to know each kid, understanding what makes them tick. He watched a lot of film to familiarize himself with their history… he’s got a good track record with his baseball journey. He’s learned from some tremendous people so he’s had a unique experience as a player and as a coach.”
On practices recently
“Our practice levels are up. Our competitiveness inside those practices is very good. We’re welcoming the newcomers. Those are just all good indicators for me that this team already has an idea that it’s going to take all of us to be successful.”
On Kollin Ritchie
“He understands what he needs to do every day. He understands his routine. His preparation is excellent. He’s had a really good spring so far. He’s committed to the process that it takes every single day. He’s strong. He’s in great shape.”
On this year’s transfer portal additions
“The three kids that we got via transfer are all impact guys for us. Hudson Barrett is a guy we knew could come in and pitch some meaningful innings right away, and he’s proven to be that guy. Campbell Smithwick behind the plate is a guy we knew had big game experience behind the plate and was an accomplished performer. TP Wentworth…When the opportunity to have TP join us opened, we were all over that. He’s a talented hitter and can help us on the mound.”
On Mario Pesca
“Mario is in amazing shape. I tip my cap to him. He made a commitment to be in the best shape of his life. He wanted his senior year here to be one in which he put it all on the table. He got his body in premier shape to allow his body to move. He’s been welcoming and open to learning and making his pitches better.”
On the development and depth of the roster
“The depth is huge. The development of players throughout your roster is always something you have to be really committed to doing, and it’s going to take everyone that is here. What we’re most determined to do is to get the most out of each other every single day.”
On Terrance Bowen
“Terrance is a talented player, a very good freshman from Atlanta. He’s a very nice hitter, versatile athlete, smooth game and hard worker. He’s only getting better every day, certainly as he gets stronger.”
On Garrett Shull
“Garrett Shull has been excellent all fall. He had a great summer. He’s played a little bit of everywhere, and what he’s done at multiple positions is impressive.”
On his time as head coach at OSU
“I don’t think I’ve had a bad day in 14 years since I’ve been back. I know I never had a bad one as a kid and never in the four years I got to play here. It’s a joy. You love something. You care about it. You work at it. You pour yourself into it.”
On Sebastian Norman
“Sebastian’s a true freshman, and he opens our eyes daily. Strong, powerful kid. He runs like a college middle linebacker. He’s skilled. He’s a graceful baseball player.”
On Brock Thompson
“I think he’s going to play well. I think Brock, like most guys, is growing in his confidence. When he’s playing well, there’s a simplicity and a confidence to his game and then the days it’s not there, we’ve got to clean up those gaps and make those days more consistent. Like all young players, it’s getting consistent.”