STILLWATER, Okla. — Arkansas will face one of college baseball's top pitchers tonight at the NCAA regional.
Oklahoma State left-hander Michael Freeman has a 1.05 ERA in 14 starts this season, which is the lowest among starters in the NCAA. The senior has a 10-2 record and has thrown four complete games.
As his 6-foot-8, 235-pound frame would suggest, Freeman has a strong arm and is averaging close to seven strikeouts per game. He combined to strike out 16 batters against national seeds Illinois and TCU.
Freeman has good command, issuing 25 walks in 102 2/3 innings on the mound. Opponents have scored only 12 earned runs off of him this season and hit one home run.
He was named Big 12 pitcher of the year and a second-team all-American by Louisville Slugger.
The season has been a stark contrast to his junior one when Freeman threw only 14 2/3 innings. He changed his pitching motion to a side-arm delivery last summer.
"He continues to be a great story," Oklahoma State coach Josh Holliday told The Oklahoman last week. "I would have a hard time thinking there's one better that's all-encompassing, not only on the field, but off the field, where he's a great student and personally how hard he's worked to become the pitcher that he is."
Arkansas Connections
Oklahoma State has two players with ties to Arkansas.
Designated hitter Conor Costello played 20 games for the Razorbacks in 2012, starting twice. He was used a pinch-runner in Arkansas' game against Kent State at the College World Series that season.
Costello transferred to Oklahoma State after his freshman season. He is batting .239 this season with 6 home runs and 35 RBIs. He also has a 2.13 ERA in 25 1/3 innings as a relief pitcher.
Infielder David Petrino attended high school at Shiloh Christian in Springdale. Petrino is batting .257 and has 9 RBIs in his first season with the Cowboys.