Oklahoma State’s wild ride through the season has officially come to an end, as the Cowboys were edged out 3-2 by Duke in the Athens Regional Final. After a hard-fought victory earlier in the day over Georgia, OSU was unable to sustain that momentum for a chance at a Monday matchup, leaving fans with a bittersweet farewell to the campaign.
This season was anything but dull for the Cowboys. Despite the ups and downs, making it to the NCAA Tournament and reaching the Regional Final is no small feat. However, the team fell short of its goal: advancing to the Super Regionals for the first time since 2019.
Kollin Ritchie’s two-run homer in the fourth inning had the Cowboys in a strong position, as it kept them in front for most of the game. However, the momentum shifted when Duke responded with a solo home run followed by a clutch two-RBI single in the bottom of the eighth. In a flash, the Blue Devils turned a two-run deficit into a lead, leaving OSU with just one more chance to extend their season.
Entering the ninth inning without a runner on base, the Cowboys found themselves facing a heart-wrenching end. Throughout the contest, there were opportunities for OSU to pad their lead, but those chances slipped away—something that’s been a familiar narrative during this roller coaster season.
This NCAA Tournament run mirrored the Cowboys’ entire season. Consistency eluded them at times, yet they still delivered moments that fans can cherish despite the overall disappointment. One of those defining moments was simply qualifying for the NCAA Tournament after battling through much of the season with a losing record. Though the road to the Super Regionals looked grim from the outset in Athens, the Cowboys made the most of their time in Georgia.
Their tournament run kicked off with a tough loss against Duke that put them in elimination mode. Yet, the Cowboys responded admirably, showcasing their resilience by hitting seven home runs to stay alive against Binghamton.
To advance to a Super Regional, OSU needed to take down host team Georgia in addition to two more wins over Duke. While they ultimately fell short of that goal, the victory over Georgia remains a highlight—particularly their thrilling comeback in the bottom of the ninth, where two crucial two-run homers propelled them to an exhilarating win. Although the weekend could have unfolded differently, the Cowboys have plenty to hold their heads high about regarding both their regional performance and the season as a whole.
