Cowboys Fall In Extra Innings, Lose Series

Sunday, March 8

Stillwater, Okla.

12:00 PM

Oklahoma State University

8-6

Illinois

11-3-1

Illinois

Oklahoma State

March 08, 2015 | Cowboy Baseball

Box Score

March 8, 2015

Box ScorePhotos

STILLWATER, Okla. -- Oklahoma State came up short of securing its first series win of the 2015 season Sunday afternoon as the 10th-ranked Cowboys dropped a 4-2 decision in 10 innings to No. 27 Illinois at Allie P. Reynolds Stadium.

David Kerian's two-run home run in the top of the 10th inning was the difference as OSU fell to 8-5 on the season. Illinois improved to 11-3-1.

"It was a little bit of a struggle back and forth for both clubs," said OSU head coach Josh Holliday. "Mike (Freeman) pitched a good game, kept us in it, and our bullpen came in and did a good job of working in and out of some tough situations and keeping the game tight for us. We had chances offensively to do things and just as a club have not gotten to the point where we're capitalizing on some good pitches to hit.

"You feel good about a tie game at home. Those are normally games where the home team feels a sense of leverage, and it wasn't to be today... We didn't quite have the answer at the end. We need to get better for sure and do a better job of getting our players to their potential. We'll keep working our way towards it and hopefully arrive there sooner than later."

In a game that saw runs hard to come by, OSU took the game's initial lead in the second. Conor Costello, who had two of the Cowboys' six hits in the contest, led off the inning with a double, and a one-out single by Kevin Bradley put runners on the corners. After Mason O'Brien fouled out, Bryan Case delivered an RBI single to give the home team a 1-0 lead.

Illinois was not down long as they tied the game off OSU starter Mike Freeman in the third when, with two outs and a runner on third, Casey Fletcher sent a ground ball down the line that deflected off the first base bag and into right field for a run-scoring single.

Freeman, the reigning Big 12 Pitcher of the Week, had another strong outing, allowing just one run on five hits and racking up seven strikeouts, but the senior southpaw was relieved by Trey Cobb to open the sixth inning and the Fighting Illini took advantage.

After a pair of one-out singles and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases, Cobb struck out Will Krug. But the righty uncorked a wild pitch to the next batter to plate the go-ahead run. Following another walk that loaded the bases, Cobb was relieved by Alex Hackerott, who came on and got a three-pitch strikeout to help the Cowboys escape further damage.

OSU would answer in the bottom of the inning, however. Garrett McCain was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and following a sacrifice bunt by Tim Arakawa, Costello delivered an RBI single to tie the score at 2-2.

But that would be the last hit the Cowboys would get until the 10th inning, and while the OSU bullpen was also up to the task, the Fighting Illini got a pair of clutch hits in the final frame.

In the 10th, OSU closer Koda Glover came out of the bullpen and after retiring the first batter he faced gave up a single to Pat McInerney. Up next, Kerian stepped to the plate and deposited a Glover offering over the wall in left field for his second home run of the season.

The Cowboys would bring the tying run to the plate in their final at bat following a two-out single in the bottom of the 10th by Case, but pinch hitter Ryan Sluder grounded out to end the game.

Glover fell to 0-2 with the loss, while Illinois closer Tyler Jay picked up the win to improve to 3-0 after working three scoreless innings and allowing just one hit.

OSU returns to action Tuesday when they open a two-game midweek series against Alcorn State at Reynolds Stadium. First pitch in both the Tuesday and Wednesday games is set for 4 p.m.