By Wendell Barnhouse | wendell@big12sports.com
Big12Sports.com Correspondent
There have some impressive firsts in Josh Holliday's second season as Oklahoma State's coach.
First regular season conference title since 1996 (and first as a member of the Big 12 Conference).
First 48-win season since 1994.
First home regional championship since 1993.
First time serving as a Super Regional host.
Oklahoma State went 3-0 hosting the Stillwater Regional to advance to within two victories of reaching the College World Series for the 19th time in school history. The Cowboys open Friday against UC Irvine in the first of a best-of-three series.
The Cowboys eliminated Cal State-Fullerton to advance and will face another Big West Conference team in the Super Regionals. The Anteaters ended the season on a six-game losing streak and was one of the last at-large teams to be selected. But they advanced by knocking off Oregon State, the overall No. 1 seed, on the Beavers' home field.
Oklahoma State's offense was potent and dominated at the plate against one of the nation's top pitching staffs to beat Cal State-Fullerton twice. But in the clinching victory, the Cowboys had to overcome an early 3-0 deficit.
"One thing about this team is that we're resilient," said Cowboy shortstop Donnie Walton, who was named the Stillwater Regional's Most Outstanding Player. "Even when we're down, we're calm and we can come back and make a run at it."
It was the 28th time that Holliday's team has rallied for a victory.
"The players picked each other up and did what teams do - they found ways to win," Holliday said. "I'm really proud of them. This is a tribute to them and our fans for helping us feel like we've arrived a little bit again.
"We're together. We get to keep playing. We get to keep wearing this uniform. Wherever they send us or whatever happens, we're going to embrace it, man. Because the alternative is not being together. And the alternative – whew – that's hard to think about."
Stillwater Super Regional hosted by Oklahoma State
UC Irvine (38-23) at Oklahoma State (48-16)
8:30 p.m. Friday (ESPNU)
9 p.m. Saturday (ESPNU)
8 p.m. Sunday* (ESPNU)
* - if necessary
Oklahoma State update: Junior right hander Jon Perrin (2-1, 2.95) is expected to start Game One. … The Cowboys hit .355 (best of any team in the regional round) and averaged nine runs a game. In two games against Cal State-Fullerton, which had the nation's top ERA going into the posts season, Oklahoma State hit ..363 and totaled 19 runs. … The Cowboys have won 19 of their last 22 games. Two of those losses came to teams (TCU and Texas) that are also in the Super Regionals. … Oklahoma State closer Brendan McCurry is one of five finalists for the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year. … The Cowboys are 25-8 at Allie P. Reynolds Stadium this season.
UC Irvine update: The Anteaters are making their eighth NCAA tournament appearance and reached the College World Series in 2007. … Connor Spencer is UC Irvine's top hitter with a .364 average, 15 doubles and 43 RBI. … Andrew Morales is the team's top pitcher with a 10-2 record and a 1.64 ERA. … Morales was the Big West Pitcher of the Year and a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes award. … UC Irvine is 21st nationally with a team ERA of 2.82. … UC Irvine coach Mike Gillespie, now in his seventh season at the school, has yet to take the Anteaters to the College World Series. In 20 seasons as USC's coach, the Trojans reached the CWS five times.