It was a rough first game of the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional for Oklahoma State as the No. 2 seed Cowboys were beat by USC Upstate 8-5.
It marked the first-ever NCAA tournament win for the Spartans as the 19th ranked Pokes dropped to 37-21 overall on the season.
Starting pitcher Ethan Lund earned the loss on Friday as he gave up five runs, four of them earned, on just two hits with four walks, two wild pitches and three strikeouts in just 2.2 innings of work.
It wasn’t the worst offensive game the Pokes have had this season, but it certainly wasn’t the best. They combined for nine hits and were walked seven times, two of which were hit by a pitch, but struck out 10 times.
"We had multiple shots throughout the game to turn the board and didn't quite deliver when we needed to," Cowboys head coach Josh Holliday said. "We'll have to rest quickly and come back tomorrow and play well to extend our opportunity in the tournament."
Garrett Shull went 2-for-3 from the plate with one RBI and two walks. Remo Indomenico went 2-for-5, which included a home run and a team-high three RBIs. Evan Saunders had the fifth RBI for the Pokes.
Stormy Rhodes came into the game in relief and gave the Pokes a real chance as he went 6 1/3 innings with six strikeouts and gave up three runs, two of which were earned, on four hits.
The Pokes will face the loser of Alabama/Alabama State Saturday at 1 p.m. CT.
