Oklahoma State's Gabe Weidenaar, left, is congratulated in the Cowboys' dugout after hitting a home run during the first inning against Texas Christian at Lupton Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, on Friday, March 2, 2012. Oklahoma State won, 4-3. (Max Faulkner/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT)No. 18 ASU baseball opens its season at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Phoenix Municipal Stadium against reigning Big 12 Conference champion No. 12 Oklahoma State. The State Press enlisted the help of assistant sports editor Nathan Ruiz of Oklahoma State's student publication, The Daily O'Collegian, to break down the upcoming series:
The State Press: It seems like there's an intense non-conference rivalry brewing here, and that this series almost has a regional playoff type of feel to it. Does a series like this carry with it a different sense of importance, and do you get a sense that coach Josh Holliday gears up for ASU a little differently?
Nathan Ruiz: I think Josh Holliday understands the importance of a strong non-conference schedule. Last season, the Cowboys won the Big 12 regular season title and were the runner-ups in the Big 12 tournament, and they basically ended up being the 16 seed with their regional paired with that of No. 1 national seed Oregon State. I think Holliday is trying to amp up his team's non-conference schedule, especially with this ASU series being followed by the Big 12/Pac-12 Challenge. Holliday said he wanted to start the season with this stretch to give him an idea of where his team's at.
I think even if this series meant anything more to Holliday, he wouldn't talk about it. He's all about one game, one series at a time. Even if a rivalry is forming between OSU and ASU, I don't think Holliday would want his players to approach these games any differently than they would others.
SP: Both teams have two solid starting pitchers. Brett Lilek vs. Jon Perrin and Ryan Kellogg vs. Tyler Buffett will make for a pair of outstanding match-ups. There's less certainty for ASU for the Sunday spot, however. Is Tyler Nurdin most likely to be the third starter for OSU going forward, and what can fans expect to see from him who haven't watched him pitch?
NR: I think Tyler Nurdin's the guy, at least to start off the season. He was great for the Cowboys in 2013, being named a Big 12 Honorable Mention with a 1.89 ERA. He couldn't repeat that last season, and his command was mainly the reason why. He walked 39 guys in 52 1/3 innings, and a majority of his starts ended in the first few innings. If he's around the zone, he's a crafty lefty who's not going to overpower guys but can get outs. If he can pitch like he did in 2013, the Cowboys' rotation is going to arguably be their greatest strength.
SP: Who's the biggest sleeper on the Cowboys roster that could have a breakout year for Oklahoma State in 2015?
NR: Garrett Williams. As Baseball America's preseason Big 12 Freshman of the Year last season, he wasn't necessarily disappointing, but he didn't live up to those expectations. He served as OSU's midweek starter for the majority of season before becoming a late-inning weapon for Holliday in the postseason. Like Nurdin, he struggled with his command, but he also brings more velocity to the table. If Nurdin struggles as the Sunday starter, Williams might get the first chance to replace him. He also could contribute with the bat, as well. His first hit as a Cowboy was a pinch-hit two-run home run. It wouldn't surprise me to see him as a two-way player down the road.
SP: Holliday said in his press conference that they'd have a pretty good idea of where his team is at after this series. Both OSU and ASU exited the postseason earlier than they expected to, so is a road test like this going to be a good gauge for what the rest of the season holds?
NR: I think it'll give Holliday an idea of where his team is at right now, but probably not the remainder of the season. At this time last year, Perrin and Buffett were both relievers. A lot is going to change for this team between now and the postseason, so it'll be hard for Holliday to use this series to predict the rest of the season. At the same time, I think it'll give him an opportunity to see some of his new arms and bats in competition, while also seeing the improvements his returners made in the offseason.
SP: And finally, what's your series prediction?
NR: The Sun Devils take two of three. I just think their pitching proves too much for the Cowboys this early in the season. However, OSU is a scrappy team with a knack for coming back, so it wouldn't surprise me to see the opposite result.
You can follow Nathan Ruiz on Twitter @NathanSRuiz
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Oklahoma State's Donnie Walton throws to first base in the sixth inning against Texas Christian at Lupton Stadium in Fort Worth. OSU won, 4-1. (Bob Haynes/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT)Reach the reporter at smodrich@asu.edu or on Twitter @StefanJModrich.
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