Oklahoma State University Athletics
Softball Hosts Border War
April 05, 2004 | Cowgirl Softball
Oklahoma State hosts the annual Border War with Arkansas and Tulsa on Wednesday for OSU's final non-conference games of the season. Arkansas and Tulsa take the field at 3 p.m., followed by Arkansas and OSU at 5 p.m. The Cowgirls close out the day at 7 p.m. against Tulsa.
Arkansas holds a 2-0 lead in the all-time series with the Cowgirls, posting 3-0 shutouts in 2001 and 2002. Oklahoma State leads the series with Tulsa 18-4. The Cowgirls had won five straight against the Golden Hurricane until dropping a 3-2 decision last week in Tulsa.
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 87-55 record as a head coach into the Border War.
SCOUTING ARKANSAS
Arkansas is 12-21 on the year and is riding a five-game losing streak. The Lady Razorbacks are led by Rachel LeMaster with a .308 batting average. Blaire Perry comes in second with a .263 average and team-high 12 stolen bases. Heather Schlichtm is the go-to pitcher on Arkansas' staff with a 10-14 record and 1.63 ERA. Schlichtm has thrown 150 innings and holds opposing batters to a .189 average. Sarah Topham fills the backup role with a 2.81 ERA and 2-7 record in 69.2 innings. Valanna Lyons has seen limited action, making six appearances and tossing 10.2 innings for a 5.91 ERA.
SCOUTING TULSA
Tulsa is 26-12 on the year and has won four of its last five contests. Holly Reynolds has relied on the small ball so far, leading the Golden Hurricane with a .350 batting average without sending any for extra bases. Reynolds also leads the squad with 12 steals. Heather Hiar comes in a close second with a .346 average and team-high 12 doubles and three triples. Tulsa has four pitchers on staff, each with an ERA under 1.50. Maren Genow has seen the most action, tossing 80.1 innings en route to a 1.48 ERA and 11-3 start. Julie Fennell (5-2, 63.1 IP) has the lowest ERA at 0.99. Ami Day (6-6, 66.1 IP, 1.48 ERA) and Lindsey Dyer (4-1, 38.2 IP, 1.09 ERA) round out the foursome.
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 and a link for live audio will be available online for all home events. Selected home games will be broadcast via a live video feed on the web site as part of the MVP package.
BORDER WAR PROMOTIONS
*Strikeouts for Cancer - Join the Oklahoma State softball team in its fundraiser to help benefit the American Cancer Society. Donations will be accepted during all three games. Fans that make a donation will receive an OSU seat cushion!
*Business Card Night - $2 admission with a business card
*50-cent Brats & Grillaronis - available at the concession stand during the OSU games (limited to first 100 fans)
