Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
.png&width=60&height=60&type=webp)
Kansas
Cowgirl Softball Sweeps Jayhawks In Conference Opener
March 21, 2001 | Cowgirl Softball
March 21, 2001
STILLWATER, Okla. - Oklahoma State's Cowgirl softball team opened Big 12 Conference action with a pair of victories over the Kansas Jayhawks, 1-0 and 2-1, here Wednesday afternoon at Cowgirl Stadium. Sophomore pitcher Lauren Bay picked up both wins to up her record to 8-4 this season.
In the first game of the doubleheader, Bay threw a one-hit shutout, strikeout out five Jayhawk hitters in seven innings of work. KU hurler Kara Pierce threw a nice game as well, scattering four hits while striking out six Cowgirls.
OSU scored the only run of the game in the bottom of the fifth when, with two outs, Jenny Kipp hit a bloop single to centerfield and then advanced to second on a balk by Pierce. Kipp scored on a base hit by senior Amanda Hayes. It was her team-leading 19th RBI of the season.
In the second game of the twinbill, Kansas scored its first run of the day in the third when Christi Musser led off with a single, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Leah Hansen, and scored on a base hit by her twin sister, Shelly Musser. Cowgirl starter Kara Wentworth was pulled after facing all three batters in the third for Bay, who came in and struck out the side.
Oklahoma State tied the score in the fourth when Ryan Realmuto hit a long home run over the left centerfield fence, her second of the season.
Bay, along with some fine defensive plays by the Cowgirls, held the Jayhawks scoreless. In the seventh, OSU senior Lezli Leathers led off with a double down the rightfield line. The next batter, Casey O'Neill laid down a sacrifice bunt, and was safe when Leathers was safe at third on the fielder's choice. After a strikeout by Danielle Thomas, the Jayhawks decided to intentionally walk Kipp.
On the first pitch-out, Pierce, who had come on in relief in the sixth, threw way over catcher Leah Tabb. Leathers was safe just ahead of Tabb's tag at home for the win.
Oklahoma State (17-10 overall, 2-0 Big 12) will host the Texas Tech Red Raiders in a pair of games this weekend. The first is scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m.,with the second set for 1 p.m. Sunday. Kansas falls to 12-15 overall and 0-2 in conference action.
