After giving up West Virginia’s only pair of runs in the top of the fifth inning, Oklahoma State ace pitcher Tyler Buffett returned for the sixth and blew past the side on seven pitches.
On his final out of the frame, a swinging strikeout of Cole Austin, Buffett lowered his tensed arms, jolted in exuberance and gave a quick yell. He was in his rhythm in the complete-game 3-2 win.
Pace was Buffett’s key. He faced live batters for only 53 minutes of the three-hour game Friday. He averaged fewer than six minutes of meaningful pitches an inning.