Three Takeaways from OSU Baseball’s Sweep against Austin Peay

Josh Holliday’s Cowboys are up to 8-3 on the season after a sweep of Austin Peay this weekend.

Oklahoma State outscored Austin Peay 33-7. Here are three takeaways from the weekend. Honorable mentions go to David Mendham (6-for-12, five RBIs, six runs scored, one home run) and freshman Nolan Schubart (hitting .389 on the season).

Friday: Oklahoma State 19, Austin Peay 2 (seven innings)
Saturday: Oklahoma State 2, Austin Peay 1
Sunday: Oklahoma State 12, Austin Peay 4

1. McLean Dominates

Already a high-level MLB prospect, Nolan McLean seems to have taken his game to the next level this season.

Against Austin Peay this weekend, McLean went 6-for-9 at the dish with two home runs, six RBIs and seven runs scored. He also drew four walks this weekend and is up to a team-high 17 walks drawn this season to 12 season strikeouts.

Both of his round-trippers came in Sunday’s game, part of a six-home run day for OSU. His first went 422 feet to center. His second went 437 feet to left center.

another one🚀#OurStandard | @nolanmclean11 pic.twitter.com/PS8oUwEwWZ

— OSU Cowboy Baseball (@OSUBaseball) March 5, 2023

He also closed Saturday, making his fifth pitching appearance of the season where he got his fifth save of the year. In his five innings pitched this season, McLean has a 1.80 ERA, giving up two runs (one earned) off four hits while striking out three.

On the year, McLean is hitting .323 with 12 RBIs and 12 runs scored.

2. There Is Another

McLean is an elite two-way player for the Pokes, but as the great Yoda once said, “There is another.”

Carson Benge was supposed to factor into things last season before he was injured and missed the entire year, but early in his redshirt freshman season, he is showing why he was so highly regraded.

After starting Saturday’s game on the mound, Benge started at right field Sunday, where he also hit a pair of home runs. His first might still be in orbit, but according to OSU, it landed 466 feet from home plate.

3⃣ gives us our third 💣 of the day#OurStandard | @carsonbenge13 pic.twitter.com/CSYNzpEe2f

— OSU Cowboy Baseball (@OSUBaseball) March 5, 2023

In 25 at-bats this season, Benge is hitting .280 with two doubles, two home runs and seven RBIs.

In his first pitching appearance Saturday, he threw three innings, allowing no runs off three hits while walking one and striking out two.

Two-way players are fun, and OSU has two good ones.

3. Watts-Brown Has Another Solid Outing

Through three appearances this season, Big 12 Preseason Pitcher of the Year Juaron Watts-Brown has allowed only four runs while striking out 22.

He threw six innings Friday, allowing one run off three hits while walking two and striking out eight. On the season, the sophomore right-hander has a 2.25 ERA.