Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirls Softball Prepares For NCAA Regional
May 14, 2003 | Cowgirl Softball
After a five-year hiatus from postseason play Oklahoma State¹s 13th-ranked softball team makes its first appearance in a NCAA Regional since hosting the event in 1998. The Cowgirls travel west to Fullerton, Calif., as the No. 2 seed, taking on the seventh-seeded Boston University in the first round at 6:30 p.m. (CST) on Thursday.
If Oklahoma State wins it will meet the winner of the Oregon-Penn State contest at noon (CST) on Friday. A loss would pit the Cowgirls against the loser of the Oregon-Penn State game Friday at 2:30 p.m.
Oklahoma State¹s 37-13 mark is its best regular season finish since the 1998 season when the Cowgirls also entered the postseason with 37 wins but had 17 losses vs. 13 this year.
A LOOK BACK AT THE 1998 REGIONAL
Oklahoma State cruised through its regional in 1998, posting three shutouts on their home field to earn the trip to the Women¹s College World Series in Oklahoma City, Okla. The Cowgirls blanked Florida State, Southwest Missouri State and Stanford 4-0. OSU was the eighth-seed in the tournament and faced defending-national champion Arizona in the first round. The Cowgirls lost, 1-0, on a solo home run by the Wildcats. Oklahoma State returned and pulled off consecutive wins over UMass and Michigan, setting up a rematch with Arizona. The eventual-national runnersup won, 5-0, ending OSU¹s season at 42-19, the eighth 40-win season in school history.
OSU VS. THE REGION 6 FIELD
In its 26-year history, Oklahoma State has played four of the seven teams in the Fullerton regional; Cal State Fullerton, Oregon, San Diego State and Penn State. The Cowgirls have not faced any of the eight in postseason play.
OKLAHOMA STATE IN THE POLLS
The Cowgirls are currently ranked in both the NFCA Coaches and the ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 polls. The Cowgirls entered the NFCA poll for the first time the week of March 11th ranked 23rd after defeating Northwestern and Stanford to capture the title at the Speedline Invitational.The Cowgirls climbed to 16th after starting out conference play 6-0 and have inched to 13th after a third place finish at the Big 12 tournament. Oklahoma State is ranked 12th in the ESPN.com poll, its highest spot in the poll this year.
2003 SCHEDULE
The Cowgirls faced six opponents ranked in the NFCA preseason Top 25; Arizona, Nebraska, Washington, Oklahoma, Texas, and Texas A&M. In the most recently released NFCA poll, eight OSU opponents dot the list, including three of the top five. Three other members of Oklahoma State¹s regional; Cal State Fullerton, Oregon and Louisiana Lafayette are ranked in the NFCA poll.
HOME RUN DERBY
For the second straight year Oklahoma State has set a new season home run record. The Cowgirls had three long balls in the Big 12 tournament to bump their season total to 45, besting last year¹s 44. Megan Carey hit two against Baylor and Ryan Realmuto hit sent the 45th ball of the year yard against Oklahoma. Jade Lindly (12) and Ryan Realmuto (11) broke the individual record in 2002, edging the former record (10). Carey leads the pack with eight this year and is knocking on the door but has a lot of work to do in the postseason to take over first place. Unlike last year, the Cowgirls big stick attack is balanced as Realmuto has six and three Cowgirls have five to their name.
NICHOLSON SOARS AT BIG 12
Stephanie Nicholson led the Cowgirls at the plate with a .462 batting average in four games at the Big 12 Tournament. The leadoff hitter recorded two of OSU¹s three stolen bases and struck out just one time. She had two doubles but her most memorable was definitely the game-winning shot against Nebraska. With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Nicholson hit a shot to the center field wall that brought Stephanie Hodges in from first base to end the game.
SENIOR LEADERSHIP
Oklahoma State¹s top three hitters are seniors. Ryan Realmuto leads the team with a .298 average, a team-leading 11 doubles and .378 on-base percentage. Brooke Siebel comes in second at .295 with three doubles and three home runs after missing a large chuck of the season due to injury. Lauren Bay is right on Siebel¹s tail with a .294 average, 10 doubles and five long balls.
CAL STATE FULLERTON REGIONAL TICKETS
Tickets for the NCAA Regional in Fullerton, Calif., Thursday-Sunday, May 15-18, at the Titan Softball Complex can be purchased via phone or at the event. All-session general admission tickets are $36 for adults and $24 for students and youth. Single session prices are $12 for adults and $8 for students and youth. Tickets can be purchased at complex ticket booth or ordered by contacting the ticket office at (714) 278-2783 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. (PST).
If Oklahoma State wins it will meet the winner of the Oregon-Penn State contest at noon (CST) on Friday. A loss would pit the Cowgirls against the loser of the Oregon-Penn State game Friday at 2:30 p.m.
Oklahoma State¹s 37-13 mark is its best regular season finish since the 1998 season when the Cowgirls also entered the postseason with 37 wins but had 17 losses vs. 13 this year.
A LOOK BACK AT THE 1998 REGIONAL
Oklahoma State cruised through its regional in 1998, posting three shutouts on their home field to earn the trip to the Women¹s College World Series in Oklahoma City, Okla. The Cowgirls blanked Florida State, Southwest Missouri State and Stanford 4-0. OSU was the eighth-seed in the tournament and faced defending-national champion Arizona in the first round. The Cowgirls lost, 1-0, on a solo home run by the Wildcats. Oklahoma State returned and pulled off consecutive wins over UMass and Michigan, setting up a rematch with Arizona. The eventual-national runnersup won, 5-0, ending OSU¹s season at 42-19, the eighth 40-win season in school history.
OSU VS. THE REGION 6 FIELD
In its 26-year history, Oklahoma State has played four of the seven teams in the Fullerton regional; Cal State Fullerton, Oregon, San Diego State and Penn State. The Cowgirls have not faced any of the eight in postseason play.
OKLAHOMA STATE IN THE POLLS
The Cowgirls are currently ranked in both the NFCA Coaches and the ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 polls. The Cowgirls entered the NFCA poll for the first time the week of March 11th ranked 23rd after defeating Northwestern and Stanford to capture the title at the Speedline Invitational.The Cowgirls climbed to 16th after starting out conference play 6-0 and have inched to 13th after a third place finish at the Big 12 tournament. Oklahoma State is ranked 12th in the ESPN.com poll, its highest spot in the poll this year.
2003 SCHEDULE
The Cowgirls faced six opponents ranked in the NFCA preseason Top 25; Arizona, Nebraska, Washington, Oklahoma, Texas, and Texas A&M. In the most recently released NFCA poll, eight OSU opponents dot the list, including three of the top five. Three other members of Oklahoma State¹s regional; Cal State Fullerton, Oregon and Louisiana Lafayette are ranked in the NFCA poll.
HOME RUN DERBY
For the second straight year Oklahoma State has set a new season home run record. The Cowgirls had three long balls in the Big 12 tournament to bump their season total to 45, besting last year¹s 44. Megan Carey hit two against Baylor and Ryan Realmuto hit sent the 45th ball of the year yard against Oklahoma. Jade Lindly (12) and Ryan Realmuto (11) broke the individual record in 2002, edging the former record (10). Carey leads the pack with eight this year and is knocking on the door but has a lot of work to do in the postseason to take over first place. Unlike last year, the Cowgirls big stick attack is balanced as Realmuto has six and three Cowgirls have five to their name.
NICHOLSON SOARS AT BIG 12
Stephanie Nicholson led the Cowgirls at the plate with a .462 batting average in four games at the Big 12 Tournament. The leadoff hitter recorded two of OSU¹s three stolen bases and struck out just one time. She had two doubles but her most memorable was definitely the game-winning shot against Nebraska. With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Nicholson hit a shot to the center field wall that brought Stephanie Hodges in from first base to end the game.
SENIOR LEADERSHIP
Oklahoma State¹s top three hitters are seniors. Ryan Realmuto leads the team with a .298 average, a team-leading 11 doubles and .378 on-base percentage. Brooke Siebel comes in second at .295 with three doubles and three home runs after missing a large chuck of the season due to injury. Lauren Bay is right on Siebel¹s tail with a .294 average, 10 doubles and five long balls.
CAL STATE FULLERTON REGIONAL TICKETS
Tickets for the NCAA Regional in Fullerton, Calif., Thursday-Sunday, May 15-18, at the Titan Softball Complex can be purchased via phone or at the event. All-session general admission tickets are $36 for adults and $24 for students and youth. Single session prices are $12 for adults and $8 for students and youth. Tickets can be purchased at complex ticket booth or ordered by contacting the ticket office at (714) 278-2783 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. (PST).
Friday, June 05
Friday, May 29
Wednesday, May 27
Monday, May 18
