Bailey heats up as the Cowboy baseball team defeats Wichita State

This season has been a struggle at the plate for Hunter Bailey.

Bailey, OSU's junior shortstop, has a batting average of .186, but against Wichita State on Tuesday he broke out of his slump.

"It was good to see him break out," said coach Frank Anderson. "Especially against a quality team like Wichita State. I thought he swung the bat well, and he swung with confidence."

He helped the No. 15 Cowboys defeat the Shockers 5-3.

Nico Rosthenhausler, senior left fielder, said Bailey contributes significantly on defense.

"He can get those balls that most guys can't," he said.

Rosthenhausler also says Bailey's batting average is deceiving.

"You look at his batting average, and you might ask why he's in the lineup," he said. "Well, it's because we know what he can do. He has the potential to do great things like pull one off the wall or pull one up the middle."

Bailey batted a season high, with three hits, including a double in the bottom of the third inning.

Rosthenhausler said he was excited to see Bailey finally get some hits.

"He's been hitting the ball well the last couple of weeks, but he will come into the dugout and say, ‘Man, that guy made a diving catch, and another guy made a top 10 play,'" he said. "It's frustrating for someone like him who just makes play after play up the middle, and then when he comes up and delivers a good hit, somebody is there to rob him."

OSU (28-9) scored early in the first inning on a single by senior third baseman Mark Ginther. The Cowboys also scored in the fifth and sixth innings while holding Wichita State (23-17) scoreless until the seventh inning.

Ahead by three runs, the Cowboys let their lead slip away.

Wichita State scored two runs in the top of the seventh and its senior first baseman, Preston Springer, tied the game at 3 with a home run over the right field fence.

In the bottom of the eighth Rosthenhausler connected with a double to right field batting in OSU's fourth run.

Junior right fielder Devin Shines' RBI single sealed the victory for OSU.

"Everybody is here to do their job," Rosthenhausler said. "We're just a bonded team, and there is no panic.