I don’t think that’s what Ken said. I believe he meant that HAD Oliver NOT been suspended, he would have been saved for the second game to face WSU, contrary to the popular notion that the ACE pitches the opener.

To Darren,

You are right. There are bigger fish to fry. Dare I say, “we’re going to need a bigger boat.”

You seem to be an expert on every thing WSU and OSU related….You mentioned OSU throwing Oliver in their first game of the regional. Clearly if you knew anything, you would know he was ALREADY SUSPENDED! It just wasn’t public knowledge yet. Now get out of your parents’ basement and do something with your life!

My main concern is this statement, “I’m just a silly female who was under the impression that it was against NCAA rules to have an AGENT while still a college athlete.” Maybe the NCAA/OSU does have a valid argument that Baratta played a larger role than what is defined as an “advisor” by NCAA rules, but I think both organizations need to look around them. They are fighting a battle against a small guppy when there are much bigger fish to be tackling.

With all due respect, you’re still talking “likely scenarios” like you’re an actual psychic. I’m still waiting on those winning lottery numbers, by the way. I do seem to recall that in not one of the games where the two teams faced each other was there a blowout.
You downplay McKeever’s motivation, but you and I both know that inspiration can be manufactured. Look at Florida State, for example. They milked their shortstop’s injury (caused by a bad throw by the second baseman which forced the SS into the slide) and the team used it as a rallying point thereafter. And, yes, it’s true that our starting pitchers didn’t have their “A” game in the final two games in Florida. But, you are talking ifs, ands and maybes, because you DON’T KNOW any more than I do how it would have played out had Oliver been on the mound. Don’t fret. I’m just a silly female who was under the impression that it was against NCAA rules to have an AGENT while still a college athlete. But, I could be wrong…and I’m sure you’ll tell me if I am. Does that make me a psychic too?

The more likely scenario had Oliver pitched was OSU would have been in the cat bird seat with your Shockers needing to win two games in a row rather than OSU needing two wins in a row. In that likely scenario it would have been Wichita State needing to get deeper down into its pitching staff.

I am well aware of McKeever. I saw him participate in fall drills at OSU. OSU gave him every chance to make the club. Just because he had this supposed mission had no relevance to the scenario that would have played out had Oliver been available to pitch.

In fact it was obvious the Shockers during the regular season had a pitcher on a mission who was recruited by OSU but ended up being the losing pitcher while trying to close out the regular season game the Shockers lost to OSU.

Again, be thankful your Shockers were fortunate enough to not have to face what would have been the best pitcher in the Stillwater regional. Many people thought OSU would pitch Oliver in the first game against Western Kentucky but OSU had already decided to pitch Lyons against Western Kentucky before Oliver was suspended and then Oliver against Wichita State.

You are right and I stand corrected about the regular season game. But, as long as we are discussing hypotheticals, don’t forget to “factor in” Clinton McKeever, whose grand slam sent a message to the team who cut him the year before. That young man was on a mission that I’m not sure even Oliver could have prevented. That’s the problem with speculation; no one knows what would have happened. Oliver could have had a bad night, as all pitchers do occasionally. Personally, I wish he could have been there so we wouldn’t have to listen to the “what ifs.” Yes, OSU may have won that game with Andy, but they still would have had to play the Shox again without him, and McKeever would still be there with something to prove. Anyway, I’m sure things will work out for Oliver. The cream always rises to the top.

Please at least realize that you are wrong about regular season play. OSU defeated Wichita State during the regular season.

I think it made a huge difference in the outcome of the regional that Oliver couldn’t pitch. OSU was forced to start a catcher who had previously pitched two innings all year before being asked to pitch. OSU also was forced to bring in a right fielder to try and close the game. There was a very good reason Oliver was OSU’s Friday night starter the whole season and almost everyone would agree would have been the most talented pitcher appearing in the Stillwater regional had he pitched.

Just be thankful Oliver did not pitch in the regional which certainly has to be factored into Wichita State’s good fortune. I personally think if Oliver would have been available the outcome of the regionals would have been the same as what happened during the regular season.

Darren simply stated that OSU was hoping to have him on the bump to help OSU advanced to Omaha.
He never said it was a lock. While congrats to the Shockers, I don’t think anybody can argue with Oliver pitching in the regional would have completely changed the way teams approached the regional stillwater.

Wally