Frank Anderson always knew the early portion of this season would involve much on-the-job training.
And already, 17 Cowboys have made their career debut.
Time to see what's been learned.
It's go time for the Pokes, figuratively and literally, with this weekend's trip to Missouri marking their entry into Big 12 play as well as a stretch of three conference road series over the next four weeks.
At 12-9 overall, Oklahoma State has some work to do in building an NCAA Tournament resume. The feeling around the program remains optimistic, with a belief that they have the pieces to contend in the conference.
Proof, however, remains to be seen.
?We've got a lot of new guys,? said junior left-hander Andrew Heaney, who has done his part with a 4-1 record and league-leading 0.92 earned run average. ?And we've got a lot more options in the field and in the lineup, so I think they've been kind of juggling it around, trying to find a lineup that works for us.
?Some of the guys aren't quite settled in.?
The competition, however, won't wait. Training time must conclude, with a focus toward forming a reliable and manageable group of players.
Heaney said he believes this unofficial second season will help accomplish just that.
?Not that people didn't have intensity and weren't ready to play before,? he said, ?but it's tough sometimes when you have guys who are trying new spots and trying new things and trying to get settled in.
?Once the Big 12 rolls around, they understand they have to lock in and it's time to go. I think the intensity level will pick up and we'll get more consistent on a daily basis.?
Heaney, a legitimate ace and the early front-runner for Big 12 Pitcher of the Year, realizes what he can do to help on Friday nights, setting a tone for the weekend.
Beyond Heaney, the Cowboys must be better at moving runners and producing clutch hits, coming through with runners in scoring position.
Interestingly, OSU veterans, who were counted on to hold things together while the newcomers got adjusted, have yet to find their hitting stroke. Catcher Jared Womack is hitting just .241, while third baseman Mark Ginther is batting .313, yet has just eight runs batted in.
Second baseman Robbie Rea, a junior college All-American, leads the Cowboys with 21 RBIs and carries a .333 average. Freshman right fielder Zach Fish, who's creating much buzz as OSU's next big thing, has four home runs and 19 RBIs.
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