Oklahoma State Men’s Baseball Is Just Getting Started After Shriners Showdown Victory
Oklahoma State’s Cowboys earned their first win of the 2026 college baseball season today against the Vanderbilt Commodores. During the game, the Cowboys introduced a player who has the potential to be one of the most dangerous hitters in college baseball this year. Kollin Ritchie went three-for-six with two home runs and a career-high six RBIs against the Commodores, announcing himself as a powerhouse in the Cowboys' offense. When the Cowboys were in a high-leverage situation, Ritchie was able to perform when his team needed it most. This statement win sends a warning from the Cowboys for what to expect, and opposing teams should be concerned about what is coming.
Beyond Kollin Ritchie’s heroics at the plate, the bigger takeaway from the game this morning is what the Cowboys’ pitching staff is capable of. Ethan Lund tossed three and two-thirds no-hit innings with a career-best eight strikeouts in the first start of the year. Noah Welch followed with three and one-third strong innings of his own, and Stormy Rhodes helped close things out as the trio combined for thirteen strikeouts against a ranked opponent. This pitching staff limited Vanderbilt’s lineup to two hits, which has incredible postseason potential. As the 2026 NCAA college baseball season heats up, OSU’s arms could be its most underrated weapon.
In OSU’s promising performance today, Brock Thompson delivered an RBI single, Garrett Shull came through with two sacrifice flies, and Colin Brueggemann capped off the six-run sixth inning with a run-scoring single. The Cowboys showed they are capable of manufacturing runs in multiple ways, which will make them increasingly difficult to game plan against as the season unfolds. With a statement win over a ranked opponent in the books, OSU has the momentum and confidence to make some real noise in the 2026 college baseball season. The Cowboys head to Phoenix on Thursday to open a four-game series at Grand Canyon, a critical stretch that can further define the tone for their season. As star players like Kollin Ritchie chase individual honors and team championships, the Cowboys will continue to build impressive performances and entertaining games.
