C.J. Varela stepped up to the mound with the bases loaded as the Oklahoma State baseball team held a two-run lead in the top of the fourth.
Varela, a junior from Katy, Texas, was making his first appearance of the season for the Cowboys.
Arkansas-Little Rock’s Miguel Soto went pitch-for-pitch with Valera, fouling off four pitches in his at-bat.
As the count went to 3-2, Valera stared down Soto.
With baserunners ready to dash home, Varela struck Soto out looking to end the tense inning.
Valera and the Cowboys’ pitching performance held off the Trojans in an 8-3 victory on opening day.