Oklahoma State baseball rewind: Nolan Schubart's record day caps Cowboys' huge week at plate
STILLWATER — More than a month ago, Oklahoma State freshman Nolan Schubart delivered a walk-off hit to clinch a series victory over Texas.
It was and remains the biggest moment of his debut season.
But Sunday’s performance in the Cowboys’ 20-7 demolition of East Tennessee State was one for the record books.
Schubart, a 6-foot-5 outfielder, homered three times. Two were grand slams. He drove in half of OSU’s runs. He walked twice.
Not a bad day at the ballpark.
And that pretty much sums up the week for the surging Cowboys.
They capped off non-conference play with a three-game sweep of East Tennessee State at O’Brate Stadium and have won 10 of their last 11 games.
The only loss came last Tuesday at Oral Roberts.
But with two weeks remaining in the regular season, the Cowboys have regained their mojo. They also remain in the Big 12 title hunt with huge series against Kansas State and OU looming.
First, here is a look back at last week:
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Oklahoma State
Overall record: 33-14, 11-7 Big 12 (tied for second)
Last week: 3-1 (lost to Oral Roberts 9-7, beat East Tennessee State 7-4, 17-7, 20-7 (7))
This week: vs. Kansas State 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday
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Top Oklahoma State player last week
Roc Riggio, 2B: After missing the two-game series at Michigan, the Cowboys’ fiery second baseman returned in a big way. He homered twice at Oral Roberts. He homered Friday and Sunday against East Tennessee State. He also walked three times Saturday. For the week, Riggio went 8 for 15 with 10 RBIs, 10 runs and four walks.
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Oklahoma State player on the rise
Nolan Schubart, LF: Entering Sunday, Schubart had homered just once since March 26. So, Sunday’s outburst was a welcome sight. The three homers and 10 RBIs tied single-game OSU records. The two grand slams tied a Big 12 single-game record. Schubart is now up to a dozen homers and 51 RBIs, both top 10 in the conference. His RBI total is tied with Riggio to lead the Cowboys.
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Stat to know
2: Game lead for West Virginia over OSU and Kansas State in the Big 12 standings entering the final two weeks of the regular season. The Mountaineers hold the tiebreaker over the Cowboys, should the teams end the season in a tie. Each team has six Big 12 games remaining.
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Nolan McLean returns
Not only did the Cowboys continue their hot streak, they welcomed back their two-way star.
Nolan McLean returned to the lineup Friday for the first time since April 1 when he suffered a knee injury running into the wall. He doubled in OSU’s first run and was 1 for 4.
He then pitched three strong innings of relief on Saturday, striking out five and allowing three runs — one earned — and five hits. He hit two batters. It was his first outing on the mound since March 24.
On Sunday, McLean was the designated hitter again, but went 0 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.
Really, the results weren’t too important.
It was just crucial to get him back on the field for the stretch run. He’s the most dangerous hitter in the lineup, which is already deep.
And he’s got the most electric arm out of the bullpen, giving the Cowboys a true closer when he’s ready. That will allow others to fall back into more settled roles to strengthen the bullpen.
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Chase Adkison continues to shine with bat
The Cowboys have a new clean-up hitter.
Veteran catcher Chase Adkison has batted fourth the past seven games he’s played. And for a guy who a year ago batted just .240 and had an on-base plus slugging percentage of less than .700, it could seem odd.
But Adkison has come a long, long way at the plate in his breakout season.
Adkison is 7 for 23 with 10 runs, eight RBIs, a double, grand slam and seven walks since moving to cleanup on April 23 at Kansas.
He’s raised his average to .319 with a slugging percentage of .482. He also has a .423 on-base percentage. That’s an OPS of .905.
Also, don’t overlook Adkison’s stellar play behind the plate and his durability.
That all-round game has elevated Adkison to a new level.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State baseball are on a roll down stretch with Nolan Schubart
