Oklahoma State Cowboys baseball is the NCAA Division I varsity intercollegiate baseball team of Oklahoma State University, based in Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States. The team competes in the Big 12 Conference. The Cowboys' current head coach is Josh Holliday.
Oklahoma State is a historically elite program, with the fourth-best win percentage, 13th-most wins, eighth-most College World Series wins, sixth-most College World Series appearances, and third-most NCAA tournament appearances in college baseball history, as of February 19, 2025. The program has accumulated a better all-time win percentage and more wins, regular season conference championships, conference tournament championships, All-Americans, NCAA Tournament appearances, NCAA Tournament wins, College World Series appearances, College World Series Finals appearances, College World Series wins, and College Baseball Hall of Famers than any school in the state of Oklahoma. Oklahoma State has won 26 conference championships and 22 conference tournament championships as of the end of the 2025 season. The Cowboys have also earned 50 NCAA Tournament bids and have played in 20 College World Series, including a still-standing NCAA record seven straight CWS appearances from 1981 to 1987.
The Cowboys have four players/coaches in the College Baseball Hall of Fame: Gary Ward (who coached the program to 16 consecutive conference titles from 1981 to 1996), Tom Borland (1955 College World Series Most Outstanding Player), Pete Incaviglia (the all time home run king in college baseball history), and Robin Ventura (holder of an NCAA record 58-game hitting streak and widely regarded as the greatest hitter in college baseball history).
Oklahoma State won the national championship in 1959, led by star pitcher Joel Horlen, who would later author the 12th no-hitter in Chicago White Sox history in 1967.
The 1954 Oklahoma State baseball team was the first squad to make the College World Series. The team entered the postseason after winning the Missouri Valley Conference with an 8âÂÂ1 conference record, before going on to defeat Texas in the District VI Playoff to punch the program's first ticket to Omaha. In the College World Series, the Cowboys were knocked off by Rollins before defeating Lafayette and Arizona for the first CWS wins in program history. Oklahoma State would be eliminated after a 7âÂÂ3 loss to Missouri, who would go on to win the national championship.
The 1955 Oklahoma State baseball team was one of the strongest in school history, going a perfect 22âÂÂ0 in the regular season and claiming another Missouri Valley conference title. In the postseason, the Cowboys would punch their second ticket to Omaha with a 6âÂÂ2 win over rival Oklahoma in the District V Playoff. Oklahoma State would begin their College World Series run by defeating Springfield in their opening game, before losing to Western Michigan. The Cowboys would rebound with a pair of wins over Colgate and Arizona before being eliminated by Wake Forest, who would also go on to win the national championship.
The 1959 Oklahoma State baseball team entered the season with low expectations. Only four players, left fielder Don Soergel and pitchers Joel Horlen, Roy Peterson and Dick Soergel, were on the roster from the previous season. The preseason prospectus for 1959 read, "The baseball outlook for coach Toby Greene's 16th edition of Cowboy baseball is quite questionable. Despite the return of key members from last year's pitching staff, it's hard to consider the Pokes much of a threat with graduation, grades and the pros robbing the veteran OSU mentor of all but one of his starters." Despite the inexperience, the team compiled a 27âÂÂ5 overall record with a 17âÂÂ3 conference record, winning the Big Eight conference title before beating Bradley in the District V Playoff to clinch their third College World Series appearance.
Oklahoma State opened the 1959 College World Series with a 10âÂÂ2 victory over Western Michigan behind a Joel Horlen five-hitter. The Cowboys had to rally for three runs in the seventh in their next contest against Penn State, but would hang on to win a close game, 8âÂÂ6. Oklahoma State would lose to Arizona in the following game by a score of 5âÂÂ3, as Soergel lost his first career game in twelve decisions. In the losers bracket, the Cowboys found themselves down 3âÂÂ2 in the ninth in a rematch against Penn State, but scraped across two runs to earn the 4âÂÂ3 victory and eliminate the Nittany Lions. A Fresno State victory over Arizona that night left three teams with one loss each. Arizona won the coin toss and became the odd man out as Oklahoma State and Fresno State met for the chance to play the Wildcats for the national championship. The Cowboys beat the Bulldogs 4âÂÂ0 to advance to the championship game.
In the championship game, Jim Dobson, who was voted the Most Valuable Player, opened the Oklahoma State scoring with a towering home run over the left-field fence in the fourth inning. Arizona picked up single runs in the fourth and fifth to take a 2âÂÂ1 lead. Bancroft tied the score with a solo home run in the top of the sixth, but the Wildcats added a run of their own in the bottom of the sixth to lead 3âÂÂ2. It was another sophomore, Bruce Andrew, who sparked the game-winning three-run rally in the top of the seventh, giving the Cowboys a two-run lead. Soergel shut out the Wildcats in the final three innings and Oklahoma State defeated Arizona 5âÂÂ3, clinching their first NCAA Baseball National Championship.
Four Cowboy players were named to the College World Series All-Tournament team, including third baseman and MVP Dobson. Also selected were Bruce Andrew at second base, Connie McIlvoy in the outfield and Horlen at pitcher.
The 1960 Oklahoma State baseball team went 15âÂÂ5 in the regular season, winning another Big Eight title and receiving an automatic bid to the College World Series for the fourth time through the District V region. In Omaha, the Cowboys opened their tournament with a loss to Arizona. In the loser's bracket, Oklahoma State pitcher Jim Wixson would toss the second no-hitter in College World Series history, and the Cowboys eliminated North Carolina in a shutout victory. Oklahoma State would go on to defeat Boston College in another shutout victory but would ultimately lose to Minnesota, who would again go on to win the national championship.
The 1961 Oklahoma State baseball team was once again undoubtedly one of the best in the country, going 22âÂÂ1 in the regular season and cruising to another Big Eight title before sweeping Northern Iowa in the District V Playoff to clinch the program's fifth College World Series trip. In Omaha, the Cowboys would open the tournament with close wins over Duke and Syracuse before falling to USC. Needing a win against Syracuse to earn a rematch against USC in the national championship, Oklahoma State shut out the Orangemen and were into the national championship game. The Trojans would win again in the rematch however, holding the Cowboys to just four hits and no runs and handing Oklahoma State their first national runnerâÂÂup finish.
The 1966 Oklahoma State baseball team wasn't quite as dominant as in years past, but still managed a 16âÂÂ9 regular season record and Big Eight title. In the District V Playoff, the Cowboys would beat Saint Louis twice in close games to punch their ticket to Omaha for the sixth time. In the College World Series, Oklahoma State would drop their opening game to Ohio State to fall into the losers bracket. Needing three straight wins to make it back to the national championship game, the Cowboys would use dominant pitching to eliminate North Carolina, Texas and St. John's. Despite losing in the first game of the tournament, Oklahoma State had managed to stave off elimination three times and earned themselves a rematch against Ohio State for the national title. The Buckeyes would dominate in the title game however, blowing out the Cowboys 8âÂÂ2 and handing Oklahoma State their second-straight national runnerâÂÂup finish.
The 1967 Oklahoma State baseball team went just 13âÂÂ7 in the regular season, but performed well in conference play, going 12âÂÂ3 and winning the Big Eight title. In the District V Playoff, the Cowboys would win a very competitive series against Cincinnati, and were on their way to the College World Series for the seventh time. However, it would be a short appearance in Omaha for the Cowboys, falling to eventual national champion Arizona State in the opening game before then being eliminated by Rider in a close loss.
The 1968 Oklahoma State baseball team improved to an 18âÂÂ7 regular season record and cruised to another dominant performance in conference play and Big Eight title. The Cowboys were once again matched up with Bradley in the District V Playoff, and just as they did in 1959, Oklahoma State swept them to earn their eighth College World Series appearance. In Omaha, the Cowboys would open their tournament run with a win over Texas. In the winner's bracket, Oklahoma State would lose in a close game to eventual national champion USC and were then eliminated by Southern Illinois in a blowout loss.
The 1981 Oklahoma State baseball team was the first of seven straight Cowboy teams to make the College World Series, a record still held today. The team posted an impressive 43âÂÂ14 regular season record and won the Big Eight tournament title over Nebraska. In the Midwest Regional, Oklahoma State defeated Southern Illinois once and Oral Roberts twice to clinch the program's ninth College World Series appearance. In the College World Series, the Cowboys opened with a ten-inning victory over South Carolina, followed by a dominant win over Miami and a 13-inning victory over Arizona State to reach the national semifinals. Despite a loss to Texas in 15 innings, the Cowboys won a coin toss and clinched their spot in the national championship game. In the title game, it was Arizona State getting revenge on the Cowboys, defeating Oklahoma State 7âÂÂ4 and handing the Cowboys their third national runnerâÂÂup finish.
The 1982 Oklahoma State baseball team won 50 games in the regular season, going 50âÂÂ14 en route to winning both the Big Eight regular season and tournament titles. In the Midwest Regional, the Cowboys would again sweep the competition, defeating Minnesota once and Middle Tennessee twice to earn the program's 10th Omaha appearance. In the College World Series, Oklahoma State would suffer a blowout loss to Texas to open the tournament before rebounding with a win over South Carolina to stave off elimination. The Cowboys would then lose again in blowout fashion to Wichita State, ending their season.
The 1983 Oklahoma State baseball team produced another successful regular season, going 40âÂÂ13 and winning both the Big Eight regular season and tournament titles over rival Oklahoma. In the Midwest Regional, the Cowboys were given matchups against Wichita State and Oral Roberts, both teams that Oklahoma State had faced in the regular season. The Cowboys took care of business, beating the Shockers once and the Golden Eagles twice to earn the program's 11th College World Series appearance. In the College World Series, Oklahoma State opened by winning a close game against Stanford to enter the winners bracket. The Cowboys would lose a one-run game against eventual national champion Texas before dropping another one-run contest at the hands of Arizona State, eliminating the Cowboys.
The 1984 Oklahoma State baseball team won more games than any other team in program history, going 61âÂÂ15 in total. The Cowboys once again swept the Big Eight regular season and tournament titles, heading into the Midwest Regional with a 54âÂÂ12 record. Despite easily defeating Grambling State in the opening game, the Cowboys were upset by Oklahoma City to push them to the edge of elimination. Oklahoma State would respond by shutting out Texas A&M and beating Oklahoma City twice in a row to book the program's 12th trip to Omaha. In the College World Series, the Cowboys picked up an opening round win against Maine before being defeated by Arizona State. Once again facing elimination, Oklahoma State won a close game against New Orleans before beating Texas in a high scoring contest. After the Longhorns won a coin flip to clinch a spot in the finals, the Cowboys were slotted against Cal State Fullerton with a trip to the title game on the line. The Titans would go on to blow out Oklahoma State, ending the Cowboys season en route to winning the national championship.
The 1985 Oklahoma State baseball team again won over 50 regular season games, going 51âÂÂ13âÂÂ1 and yet again claiming both the Big Eight regular season and tournament titles over runnerâÂÂup Oklahoma. In the Midwest Regional, the Cowboys took care of Minnesota easily before knocking off Wichita State twice to clinch the program's 13th trip to the College World Series. In Omaha, Oklahoma State suffered a blowout loss in the opening game to Mississippi State, sending the Cowboys to the edge of elimination. Oklahoma State survived the first elimination game, holding off South Carolina in a high scoring game before falling to eventual national champion Miami in a one-run contest and being eliminated.
The 1986 Oklahoma State baseball team went 46âÂÂ12 in the regular season, most notably going an absurd 29âÂÂ0 in the month of April en route to winning the Big Eight tournament title again over Oklahoma. In the Midwest Regional, the Cowboys cruised to two easy wins over Richmond and Appalachian State before knocking off Stanford twice to lock up the program's 14th trip to Omaha. In the College World Series, Miami would once again beat Oklahoma State, sending them to the losers bracket where they would stave off elimination twice. In the first game, the Cowboys pitched a shutout to eliminate Indiana State, before notching a comfortable win over Loyola Marymount in the second contest. With a trip to the national semifinals on the line, Oklahoma State lost in a one-run game to Florida State, ending their season.
The 1987 Oklahoma State baseball team finished the regular season at 47âÂÂ9, including a red-hot start of 43âÂÂ4. After yet again winning both the Big Eight regular season and tournament titles, the Cowboys entered the Mideast Regional at 51âÂÂ10. In the Mideast Regional, the Cowboys opened with wins over Western Carolina and NC State before falling to Texas A&M. Needing three wins to keep their season alive, Oklahoma State again beat Western Carolina before knocking off the Aggies twice in close games to send the Cowboys to the College World Series for the 15th time. In Omaha, Oklahoma State picked up where they left off, winning three straight games over Arizona State, LSU and Stanford to clinch a spot in the national semifinals. Despite a loss to Texas, Oklahoma State received a spot in the national championship game against Stanford. The Cowboys would be unable to beat the Cardinal again in the rematch, falling to Stanford 9âÂÂ5 and receiving the program's fourth national runnerâÂÂup finish.
The 1990 Oklahoma State baseball team dominated the rest of the conference, going 46âÂÂ16 overall and 18âÂÂ6 in the Big Eight en route to winning the Big Eight regular season title by five games before cruising to another tournament title. In the West II Regional, the Cowboys easily beat UC Santa Barbara and Washington State before knocking off Arizona State twice in Tempe to clinch the program's 16th College World Series appearance. In the College World Series, Oklahoma State continued their perfect postseason, demolishing Cal State Fullerton in the first game and outscoring LSU by 17 runs in the second and third games to once again clinch a spot in the national championship game. Despite the dominant postseason run up to that point, the Cowboys were unable to get over the last hurdle, falling to Georgia in a one-run game and receiving the program's fifth national runnerâÂÂup finish.
The 1993 Oklahoma State baseball team went 34âÂÂ13 in the regular season, winning the Big Eight regular season and tournament titles by the slimmest of margins over Kansas. In the Midwest Regional, the Cowboys began their postseason run by defeating UConn, Auburn and NC State before falling to Arizona. With a trip to Omaha on the line, Oklahoma State won by a single run in the rematch against the Wildcats, sending the Cowboys to the College World Series for the 17th time. In the College World Series, Oklahoma State suffered a one-run loss to Texas in the opening game before rebounding and winning a one-run contest against Arizona State to stay alive. The Cowboys would then get their revenge on the Longhorns, eliminating them in the rematch and clinching a spot in the national semifinals. Needing two wins against Wichita State to stay alive, the Cowboys failed to get even one, falling to the Shockers and being eliminated.
The 1996 Oklahoma State baseball team finished 37âÂÂ19 in the regular season with a 17âÂÂ9 conference record en route to winning the program's 16thâÂÂstraight Big Eight tournament title. In the Central II Regional, the Cowboys edged out Arkansas by a run before easily taking down Fresno State. Oklahoma State would then dominate USC in back-to-back games to clinch a spot in the College World Series for the 18th time in program history. The trip to Omaha was short however, as losses to Alabama and Clemson eliminated the Cowboys from the College World Series without a win for just the second time in program history.
The 1999 Oklahoma State baseball team went a respectable 41âÂÂ14 in the regular season with a 19âÂÂ9 record in the Big 12. In the Wichita Regional, the Cowboys earned the second seed but were quickly upset by third-seeded UCLA. One loss away from elimination, Oklahoma State notched a win over Oral Roberts before getting revenge on UCLA and eliminating the Bruins in the rematch. Needing two wins against Wichita State, the Cowboys delivered, beating the Shockers twice on their home field to send Oklahoma State to the Waco Super Regional. Facing Big 12 rival Baylor in Waco, the Cowboys won the opening game easily before falling in the second, setting up a third game. Oklahoma State would go on to defeat Baylor in the deciding contest, sending the Cowboys to Omaha for the 19th time. In the College World Series, it was once again an extremely early exit for Oklahoma State. Losses to Alabama and Rice quickly eliminated the Cowboys, who left Omaha without a win for just the third time in program history.
The 2016 Oklahoma State baseball team turned in a solid regular season, going 35âÂÂ18 with a 16âÂÂ8 conference record and receiving a 2 seed in the Clemson Regional. First meeting up with Nebraska, the Cowboys pitched a shutout in a dominant win over the Cornhuskers, sending them to a showdown with Clemson. The Cowboys would go on to manhandle the Tigers, beating them by a combined 17 runs over two games to send Oklahoma State to the Columbia Super Regional. Picking up where they left off, Oklahoma State would sweep South Carolina in two games to clinch the 20th College World Series appearance in program history. In Omaha, the Cowboys would win a pair of 1âÂÂ0 contests against UC Santa Barbara and Arizona to claim a spot in the national semifinals. Needing just one more win against Arizona to earn a berth in the national championship series, the Cowboys were unable to get it, falling to the Wildcats twice and being eliminated in heartbreaking fashion.
The Cowboys planned to open the new O'Brate Stadium, located one block northwest of the team's current home of Allie P. Reynolds Stadium, on March 20, 2020 for the Cowboys' Big 12 opener against TCU. The Cowboys played their first 11 of a planned 14 home games of the 2020 season at Reynolds Stadium. Named for major donor Cecil O'Brate, the new ballpark has a permanent capacity of 3,500 but is expandable to 8,000.
Reynolds Stadium is named after the former Oklahoma State player Allie Reynolds, who went on to play professionally for the Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees. The park, with a capacity of 3,821, opened in 1981 at a cost of $2.2 million.
Oklahoma State's series against Bedlam rival Oklahoma has featured more games played than any other OSU baseball series. As of the end of the 2021 season, the Cowboys lead the overall series with the Sooners 179âÂÂ155 and hold a 56âÂÂ40 lead in games played since the inception of the Big 12. Oklahoma State has dominated the rivalry in recent years, winning 23 of 30 contests since 2013, head coach Josh Holliday's first season.
The following Cowboys were given the following awards, as voted on by the American Baseball Coaches Association, Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball, the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, and Sporting News:
The Oklahoma State Cowboy baseball program has produced four National College Baseball Hall of Famers, who were inducted in the first three years of its existence. Oklahoma State baseball has its own Hall of Fame, in which players and coaches have been inducted.