Cowboys score 11 runs in first 3 innings to beat Niagara 19-7 in regionals

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — Nolan Schubart hit two home runs, Oklahoma State scored 11 times in the first three innings, and the Cowboys beat Niagara 19-7 on Friday night in the Stillwater Regional.

The Cowboys (41-17) seeded 11th nationally, will play Florida (29-27) in the winners’ bracket on Saturday, while Niagara (38-16) faces Nebraska (39-21) in an elimination game.

Schubart’s two-run homer off Niagara starting pitcher Preston Prince in the bottom of the second and Ian Daugherty’s two-run gave the Cowboys a 7-0 lead, after a three-run first. The Cowboys added four runs off three singles in the third inning and led 11-1. Zach Ehrhard homered for the Cowboys in the eighth.

Evan O’Toole (2-0) pitched the last four innings in relief for the Cowboys, striking out four for the win.

Nick Groves and Rees Kozar combined for five RBIs for Niagara.

It’s the Cowboys’ 49th appearance in the tournament, tied for third all time with Miami (Fla.), behind Florida State (60) and Texas (63).