Cowboys Open Big 12 Play with 9th Win in a Row
STILLWATER – Justin Campbell and Chase Adkison propelled No. 4 Oklahoma State to a 4-2 win over Kansas in its Big 12 Conference opener Friday night at O'Brate Stadium. The win was the ninth in a row for the Cowboys, who improved to 16-6 overall. KU fell to 8-12.
Campbell continued his brilliance on the mound, tossing a complete game and striking out nine to improve to 3-1. The right-hander allowed just three hits and a walk in the 110-pitch effort.
Adkison helped his pitcher with a three-run home run that marked his fourth round tripper in the last five games. Nolan McLean drove in OSU's other run with a double, while David Mendham had two of the Cowboys' five hits.
The Jayhawks took the game's initial lead in the second inning when, after a two-out single, Caleb Upshaw hit a two-run home run into the seats in left-center field.
Adkison quickly answered for the Cowboys in the bottom of the frame. After Brett Brown was hit by a pitch and Mendham singled to open the inning, the catcher roped a one-out home run just inside the left-field foul pole to put Oklahoma State on top, 3-2.
OSU added the game's final run in the fifth when Jake Thompson drew a two-out walk before McLean ripped a double into the left-center gap to bring Thompson all the way around to score, doubling the Cowboys' lead.
Over the final seven innings, Campbell allowed only one hit – a leadoff single in the sixth – and struck out six. He retired the side in order in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings.
The two teams return to action Saturday at 6 p.m.