OSU preview
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Published: February 22, 2008
•Coach: Frank Anderson, fifth season (155-90)
•Last year: 42-21;
Big 12 - 16-11, third place.
•Glad he's back: Jordy Mercer handles two of
OSU's pivotal roles: Shortstop and closer. Mercer, who spent the summer playing for Team
USA, batted .299 with five home runs, despite missing the first two months following knee surgery. He also won three games with three saves on the mound.
•Most missed: 2B
Tyler Mach clubbed 16 home runs, led the club with 81 RBIs and delivered clutch hits with regularity. Mach signed with the Phillies as a fourth-round draft pick.
•Major addition: 3B
Matt Hague comes to the Cowboys as a senior transfer from the
University of Washington, where he hit .353 with 13 home runs and 49 RBIs a year ago. As a sophomore, Hague was an All-American and All-
Pac-10. He was drafted in the 11th round by
Cleveland in the June draft.
•On the spot: LHP Andy Oliver, a touted recruit a year ago, started strong but struggled late, although he still finished 6-1.
Oliver rebounded during a summer stint in the
Cape Cod League. The Cowboys are hoping he puts a full season together as a sophomore.
•X-factor: Matt Gardner, a seven-game winner in 2006, missed much of last season due to arm woes. Gardner is back from surgery and feeling good. If he returns to his '06 form, Gardner would provide a major boost to the rotation.
•Must-see home series: Texas A&M, March 21-23.
•Touch 'em all: The Cowboys, one of the nation's elite offensive teams a year ago, figure to hit again. If Gardner and Oliver provide punch at the top of the rotation and the rest of the staff fills in around them, OSU may be ready to take the step from Super Regional to
Omaha.
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