Preview: Oklahoma State at Missouri State

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (Interstat) — Two surging regional foes will meet Tuesday when the Oklahoma State Cowboys visit the Missouri State Bears in a midweek nonconference baseball matchup at Hammons Field.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CDT on March 24.

The Cowboys (16-8) enter having won two of three against Baylor over the weekend, including a 13-6 victory Sunday. Oklahoma State has won five of its last seven games overall.

Missouri State (15-7) is also coming off a series win, taking two of three from Middle Tennessee. The Bears rallied for a 10-9 win Sunday.

A player to watch for Oklahoma State is catcher Campbell Smithwick. He is coming off a strong weekend, going 3 for 8 with a home run and three RBIs in the final two games against Baylor. For the season, he has shown consistent power in the middle of the Cowboys’ lineup.

Missouri State will likely rely on right-hander Brock Lucas out of the bullpen. Lucas has been a frequent high-leverage option, making four relief appearances in the last month. He earned the win Sunday against Middle Tennessee, allowing one run over 3 1/3 innings.

The teams met earlier this month in Stillwater, with Oklahoma State claiming an 8-7 victory on March 3. Tuesday’s game serves as the return leg of that home-and-home series.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, Missouri State is projected to win a close one, 7-6.

Oklahoma State begins a three-game series at BYU on Thursday. Missouri State opens a three-game set at Dallas Baptist on Friday.