Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirl Softball Hosts Texas A&M
April 19, 2004 | Cowgirl Softball
OKLAHOMA STATE (25-22, 5-6)
Wednesday, April 21 • 5 p.m. (DH)
Stillwater, Okla. • Cowgirl Stadium
Gametracker: www.okstate.com
Radio: KGFY 105.5 FM or www.okstate.com
ON TAP
After four games on the road, Oklahoma State returns to Cowgirl Stadium to host Texas A&M for a doubleheader beginning at 5 p.m. on Wednesday. It will be the fourth consecutive doubleheader for the Cowgirls in conference action.
At 5-6 in Big 12 action, the Cowgirls are in a tie for fifth with Oklahoma. Oklahoma State has games remaining against Texas, Oklahoma and Baylor. Texas A&M is in sole possession of second, one game behind Nebraska, and has Missouri, Nebraska and Texas remaining on the schedule.
Last year the Aggies swept the Cowgirls in College Station, 7-5 and 3-0. Former Cowgirl and pitching ace Lauren Bay struggled in the series, leaving the first contest after one inning and lasting five innings in the second game.
Texas A&M leads the series with Oklahoma State 31-21 and has won three straight against the Cowgirls. The series was lopsided in A&M's favor in the seventies and eighties but the Cowgirls hold a narrow 16-12 advantage since 1990.
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. Rebenar joined the Cowgirl softball program in 1980 after serving as a pitching coach at UCLA for one season. After filling the assistant coach role for 22 seasons, Rebenar was named the head coach in 2001. 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. Rebenar brings a 93-60 record as a head coach into Wednesday's doubleheader with Texas A&M.
SCOUTING TEXAS A&M
Texas A&M is 28-16 on the year and riding an eight-game winning streak. Sharonda McDonald leads the Aggies with a .323 batting average. McDonald makes the most of her time on the bases, stealing a league-leading 36 bases. In 50 hits McDonald has sent just two for extra bases, both triples. Jana James comes in second with a .311 average and leads the squad with 24 RBI. A&M has hit 27 home runs as a team. Nine different players have contributed to the long ball race, led by Nicole Robinson with six. Jessica Kapchinski leads the pitching staff with a 1.17 ERA and 13-5 record in 107.1 innings. Lindsay Wilhelmson and Jill Weynand fill the reserve roles. Wilhelmson is 5-3 on the year with a 2.34 ERA in 77.2 innings. Weynand has a 2.62 ERA and 7-5 record in 72.0 innings. Christina Smith rounds out the group with a 0.86 ERA and 3-3 record in 40.2 innings of work.
Series snapshot
longest winning streak: seven by Texas A&M
largest margin: OSU won 11-3 in 1996; Texas A&M won 8-1 in 1982 and 7-0 in 2000
1-run games: A&M leads 13-10
2-run games: A&M leads 8-3
5+run games: series tied 2-2
LOOKING AHEAD
The Cowgirls hit the road this weekend for a two-game series at Texas. Sunday's game in Austin will be televised by CSTV. OSU will be looking for revenge when the second round of Bedlam hits the field next Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Norman.
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 and selected contests will be broadcast via a live video feed on the MVP portion of the web site.
