Oklahoma State University Athletics
Softball Prepares For Non-Conference Tilts
March 23, 2004 | Cowgirl Softball
Oklahoma State prepares for a pair of mid-week non-conference tilts before opening the conference slate this weekend. The Cowgirls host UMKC for a doubleheader at 3 p.m. on Tuesday and travel to Tulsa for a 6:30 p.m. contest on Wednesday.
The Cowgirls are 2-0 all-time against UMKC with both wins coming last year in Stillwater. OSU holds an 18-3 advantage in the series with Tulsa. Oklahoma State has won the last five meetings, including an 11-inning marathon last year in Stillwater that ended with the Cowgirls on top, 6-5.
HEAD COACH MARGARET REBENAR
Margaret Rebenar is in her 25th season season as a softball coach at Oklahoma State and third as a head coach. She brings a 85-52 record as a head coach into Tuesday's contest with UMKC. Rebenar led the 2003 Cowgirls to a second-place finish in the Big 12 regular season race and their first NCAA Regional appearance in five years. Under her guidance, 23 players have earned All-American status 29 times, including Olympians Michele Smith, Melanie Roche and Lauren Bay.
SCOUTING UMKC
UMKC is 2-12 on the year and has lost its last seven contests. The Kangaroos have registered wins against North Texas and Louisiana-Monroe. UMKC is led by Jaime McGrath with a .258 batting average and four RBI. The Kangaroos average .187 at the plate while their opponents are hitting at a .327 clip. Three pitchers are in the UMKC rotation; Tisha Abell, Veronica Weaver and Jenny Schade. Abell leads the trio with a 4.79 ERA and 1-4 record in 30.2 innings. Weaver has seen slightly more action, tossing 33.1 innings for a 1-5 start and 6.09 ERA. Schade rounds out the group with an 8.69 ERA in 19.1 innings.
SCOUTING TULSA
Tulsa is off to a 23-12 start but has lost four of its last six outings. The Golden Hurricane are hitting close to .300 as a team and have four players over that mark individually. Katie Torres averages .303 at the plate and leads the team in with six home runs and 23 RBI. Heather Hiar has bumped her average up to .328 thanks to a team-leading 10 doubles and three triples. Tulsa averages 1.6 stolen bases per game, paced by Holly Reynolds and Stacy Walkingstick with 10 each. The Golden Hurricane have four pitchers, each with an ERA under 1.75. Maren Genow has seen the most action, tossing 72.2 innings en route to a 1.64 ERA and 9-3 start. Julie Fennell (5-2, 59.0 IP) has the lowest ERA at 0.83. Ami Day (5-6, 59.1 IP, 1.65 ERA) and Lindsey Dyer (4-1, 38.2 IP, 1.09 ERA) round out the versatile staff.
COWGIRL SOFTBALL ON THE AIR
Oklahoma State's home conference games, as well as the OU game in Norman, the TU game in Tulsa and all postseason contests will be broadcast live on Stillwater Radio. Bill VanNess will provide the play-by-play for the sixth consecutive season. Any game starting prior to 5 p.m. will air on KSPI 780 AM. Any game starting at 5 p.m. or later will be broadcast on KGFY 105.5 FM.
COWGIRL SOFTBALL ON THE WEB
For the latest information on 2004 Cowgirl Softball visit the official web site of Oklahoma State Athletics at www.okstate.com. Live stats will be available online for all home events.
