Good morning. It’s the first day of June and we’re already thinking about the fall. Oklahoma State football has four kickoff times announced for the upcoming season—including just the second Friday night kickoff in Stillwater since 1940.

Now, what have into today’s Brew?

🥎 Keys to the game vs. FSU
🏈 First time, looooooooong time
🤠 And so much more!

🎧 OSU MAX PODCASTS

Oklahoma State is back in postseason action and the Diamond Pokes are ready to roll.

The Cowgirls are back in the Women's College World Series for the fourth straight tournament. The Cowboys are hosting another NCAA Regional. It’s all good news in Stillwater—and Deion Imade and Clint Chelf break it all down in this week's episode of the Old Pokes Show.

Big 12 Newcomer of the Year Tyler Wulfert joins the show this week to talk about his road to OSU and hear his thoughts on this weekend's Stillwater Regional. Plus the guys name their Old Pokes Players of the Week.

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 Chop Down. Oklahoma State softball is gearing up for a familiar postseason opponent tonight in Florida State—with history in these two teams’ recent matchups holding significant weight.

In 2019, OSU knocked off the defending national champion Seminoles at the Tallahassee Super Regional to reach its first WCWS since 2011. Two years later, in the second round of the winner's bracket, it was Florida State who ended the Cowgirls' season early. A season ago, the Cowgirls lost a pair of one-run games in Tallahassee. And most recently, Oklahoma State took two of three from the Seminoles in a showcase non-conference series in Stillwater.

Where do the Pokes match up well against the Seminoles, and what will be the keys to tonight’s game?

🛑 Limit Free Bases

Florida State leads the ACC in three categories—walks (3.9 per game), extra base hits (2.1 per game), and stolen bases (2.0 per game). Oklahoma State’s .978 fielding percentage will be put to the test in keeping Seminole batters, who are hitting .312 as a team, from getting into scoring position.

⌛ Get Their Bullpen Out Early

Both of these teams are boasting stellar aces on the mound, but Florida State only has one pitcher on their roster who has pitched a complete game this season in Kathryn Sandercock. The Seminoles use their bullpen wisely, having secured an ACC-leading 18 saves this season, but it’s almost certain we’ll see multiple pitchers each game. Stringing together long innings early could force Florida State to go to their bullpen earlier than they’d like, and mean an advantage for Oklahoma State.

💪 Play Seven Innings

It sounds cliche, but the Pokes’ best chance of victory tonight comes if they keep it close through all seven innings. Why? Florida State has nine losses on the season, and six of them have come in one-run defeats. In fact, their only blowout defeat of the season came earlier in the season in Stillwater.

🔼 Three Cheers. Speaking of Oklahoma State softball—Rachel Becker, Kelly Maxwell, and Tallen Edwards all earned D1Softball All-American honors. The trio elevates OSU softball's All-American selection total to 49.

Rachel Becker is a first team All-Big 12 and first team NFCA All-Region honoree who has been one of most consistent offensive weapons in the country in her first year at Oklahoma State and the final year of her collegiate career.

Kelly Maxwell is on her second consecutive year earning All-America honors from D1Softball, after being named to its All-America first team in 2022.

Tallen Edwards represents Oklahoma State's first freshman All-American selection since Kenny Gajewski became head coach. The freshman outfielder made the most out of her decision to forego her senior year at Southmoore High School in Moore, Oklahoma, enrolling early at Oklahoma State and earning the starting role in left field for the Cowgirls.

🤔 COWBOY TRIVIA

First time, looooooooong time. We mentioned above that Oklahoma State football would have a Friday night kickoff in Stillwater for just the second time since 1940.

This season, it’s against Kansas State.

Who was the opponent the only other time the Cowboys played at home on Friday night?

Think you got it? Scroll on down to the bottom of this email for the answer!

🎥 OSU MAX

“It caught everyone really off-guard. For the first time, all these things you’re hearing about on the news are landing right here.”

Drew Blake likely wouldn’t be pitching at Oklahoma State if it wasn’t for Coach Josh Holliday’s lifelong friendship with his father, Randy. So when Randy suddenly contracted COVID, and it became serious enough that he needed a double lung transplant, it deeply impacted this program from the top down.

Watch Hometown Hero: A Randy Blake Story on OSU Max and learn more about this story of hope, resilience, and a team coming together for something bigger than baseball.

📬 STICK WITH US

Did someone send you the Cowboy Brew? Subscribe here and get it in your inbox every weekday morning just in time for your first cup of coffee!

📅 THE WEEK AHEAD

Thursday 6/1:

🥎 Softball vs. Florida State @ 6:00pm CT at NCAA Women’s College World Series on ESPN | Live Video | Live Audio

Friday 6/2:

⚾️ Baseball vs. Oral Roberts @ 6:00pm CT at NCAA Regionals | Live Audio

Saturday 6/3:

⚾️ Baseball vs. Dallas Baptist/Washington @ TBD at NCAA Regionals | Live Audio

Sunday 6/4:

⚾️ Baseball vs. TBD at NCAA Regionals

🎉 TRIVIA ANSWER

Answer: Kansas!

Oklahoma State’s only Friday night kickoff in Stillwater before this season came on October 26, 1956 when the Jayhawks rolled into town.

Have a great Thursday, y’all.