The Oklahoma State Cowboys welcome the Oklahoma Sooners to O’Brate Stadium in the annual renewal of the Bedlam Series.
Ninety years ago, the University of Oklahoma stepped onto the field to take on Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College in a game of baseball. Over the ensuing nine decades, these two teams have played 359 times, with the men from Stillwater holding an 189-160 edge in the rivalry.
Oklahoma Faces OSU in Rivalry Game
This rivalry is one of proximity and family. High school teammates stand across from each other. Families celebrate holidays while wearing either crimson and cream or orange and black. Although the two programs no longer share a conference, the enmity remains eternally strong.
Last year, according to OSU faithful, feels like a lifetime ago.
Can Oklahoma State Compete with Oklahoma?
In the midst of a mediocre-at-best season (16-17), the Cowboys need good fortune. Everything that could possibly go sideways already has. The offense continues to sputter. With a .261 average, the team simply cannot generate anything positive. Furthermore, the Cowboys have struck out a Big 12-leading 355 times.
Swinging at bad pitches. Allowing opponents to escape innings with runners on base. Ironically, Baseball America held high hopes for the Pokes earlier this season, stating:
“With Texas and Oklahoma now in the SEC, Oklahoma State enters 2025 as somewhat of a standalone favorite in the Big 12, even with eight players from its nationally seeded 2024 squad now in pro ball.
“The Cowboys returned their most productive offensive player from a year ago, corner outfielder and first baseman Nolan Schubart, as well as three other players who hit at least 10 home runs in 2024: catcher Ian Daugherty, first baseman Colin Brueggemann and third baseman Aidan Meola.
“Freshmen Brock Thompson and Garrett Shull were both highly regarded coming out of the high school ranks and are expected to contribute immediately as the Cowboys’ starting shortstop and designated hitter, respectively.”
Unfortunately, most of this hasn’t panned out. Meanwhile, Colin Brueggemann is enjoying a solid season to this point. With a .307 average, he provides pop from the left side. However, the senior is currently stuck in a 3-for-18 slump. OSU needs Brueggemann to snap out of it today if they want to send their hated rivals back to Norman with a loss.
Oklahoma Has the Momentum
Meanwhile, the Sooners bring the 12th-best team to the field, according to Baseball America. First and foremost, the Sooners aim to turn this game into a track meet.
They’ve stolen 82 bases in 99 attempts, signaling a clear desire to shorten their trip around the basepaths through relentless aggression.
OSU must contain Treu Gambill. The junior from Alpine, Utah, is far and away OU’s most dangerous hitter.
Granted, he doesn’t have earth-shattering power (one home run), but he refuses to chase bad pitches—drawing 29 walks against just 12 strikeouts. Gambill makes strong contact and uses the entire field to stress defenses.
Bottom Line for Oklahoma State vs. Oklahoma
Oklahoma State needs to win this game for a multitude of reasons. First, they need to start stringing together wins. To paraphrase Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra: it’s getting late early for the Cowboys.
If they want to gain momentum for the Big 12 Tournament, winning needs to start tonight. Lastly, from a chemistry and psychological perspective, they need to defeat the Sooners. Beating their in-state forever foe at home can help erase some of the poor play that’s haunted this team.
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On the other hand, Oklahoma sees this as a business trip. This game is merely a detour on the way to playing for an SEC championship. With their eyes cast ahead, the Sooners can’t afford to look past the Pokes. Either way, Baseball Bedlam should bring out the best in both teams.
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