Oklahoma State sweeps Houston; wins 2nd place in Big 12 tournament | The 12 big sports

HOUSTON — On Saturday morning, Josh Holliday’s message to his team was simple.

Take care of business. Control what can be controlled. And win baseball games.

“That’s all we talked about,” Holliday said. “We didn’t talk about anything else.”

That’s exactly what his team did.

No. 19 Oklahoma State swept a doubleheader against Houston on Saturday at Schroeder Park, recording victories of 20-3 and 9-2, respectively, earning a series sweep of the Cougars to end the regular season. With that, the Cowboys (36-16, 19-9 Big 12) clinched the No. 2 seed in the Big 12 Tournament, which begins Tuesday at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

But what was billed as a routine regular-season finale turned out in the worst possible way. Originally scheduled for a three-game series from Thursday to Saturday, recurring threats of bad weather and heavy rain postponed the games twice. Ultimately, one was canceled. And sometimes Holliday’s group wondered if games would even be played.

“Our series was delayed two days,” Holliday said. “There’s a lot of uncertainty in a time like this.”

They didn’t hesitate.

Left-hander Sam Garcia pitched seven innings, striking out seven to etch his name in the OSU baseball record book as the program’s 17th pitcher to surpass 100 strikeouts in a single season. Garcia allowed just three hits, four walks and two earned runs.

But it wasn’t the only highlight of the day.

Less than two hours later, right-hander Brian Holiday moved to 18th, while posting a career-high 14 strikeouts against the Cougars (26-28, 7-21 Big 12). Holiday recorded his 10th quality start of the season, allowing six hits, one walk and two earned runs.

“Just another great outing, or another outing from these guys,” Holliday said. “They are special. We have a special weapon tandem.

Although an excellent collective pitching effort highlighted the day for OSU, the offense extended its streak by nine or more runs in a game to four games.

The group launched four home runs in the two games, but showed an offensive effort that didn’t rely solely on the long ball. That day, Holliday’s group recorded a total of 21 hits.

“We looked really good offensively in the lineup,” Holliday said. “Several guys had great (offensive) days. Several guys score runs and take walks.

“Just an outstanding overall team effort in that regard, in my opinion.”

In the end, OSU took care of business.

While the Cowboys finished second in the conference standings based on their conference winning percentage rule (.678), OSU earned a first-round bye in the Big 12 tournament. Holliday expressed concern after the game regarding the short rest that he and pitching coach Rob Walton will need to take into account when formulating a pitching plan for the following week. However, the extra day off is helpful.

But for now, Holliday can take comfort in knowing that both units are in the final stretch of the regular season. To reach the point he wants and has remained adamant, a late-season push is vital. And the Cowboys could be in their infancy.

“It was just a tremendous performance from our kids from start to finish,” Holliday said. “It was 18 of the toughest rounds I’ve ever had to endure (as a coach), because of the humidity and the heat.

“But overall it was a great outing from our excellent. And it happened at the right time.

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