Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirl Softball Set For 2005 Season
January 21, 2005 | Cowgirl Softball
The Cowgirls have a solid lineup returning in 2005, including their top four hitters and three All-Big 12 selections.
In addition seven newcomers; three freshman and four transfers, join the Cowgirl softball program.
“We are excited about our class this year,” stated fourth-year head coach Margaret Rebenar. “Top to bottom they showed some great things in the fall and our expectations are for all seven to play a role of some sort this spring. Based on who is returning and our recruiting class we will be highly respected.”
Pitchers
Pitching should be a strength for the Cowgirls in 2005. All-Big 12 performer Jessica Hoppock returns to lead the group after tossing an OSU season record 307 innings during her freshman campaign. Hoppock was a rock for the Cowgirls last spring, appearing in all but three of OSU's contests and making 37 starts.
The Cowgirls added a talented newcomer, Marjorie Johnson, to their staff for the 2005 season. If her performance during the fall is any indication, the freshman should be fun to watch. Johnson did not give up a run while allowing just eight hits in 34 innings in the fall.
Randi Cook and Kristen Neil also return after seeing limited action during their first seasons at Oklahoma State but both are expected to play a larger role this spring.
“Jessica had a good year last spring. She gained a lot of experience and brings maturity to the mound,” said Rebenar. “With Kristen and Randi returning and Marjorie joining our program we have a great staff in terms of diversity and what we can do. There is a good contrast between all four.”
Catchers
Behind the plate, All-Big 12 catcher Courtney Totte returns for her sophomore season at OSU and looks to be a strong point for the Cowgirls. Totte played with poise and maturity during her first season while starting all but one contest.
Newcomers Chelsea Caraway and Tara Jeffery will serve as Totte's back-ups but the coaching staff anticipates that Totte will carry the load and that both Caraway and Jeffery will see the bulk of their time in other positions.
“Courtney has a head for the game and caught all of our pitchers except Marjorie last spring,” stated Rebenar. “She got experience with Marjorie in the fall and we know we can count on her.”
Infield
Oklahoma State returns an experience infield, losing just one starter from last year's squad. In addition to increased depth at all positions, the Cowgirls have numerous players with the ability to play a variety of positions on any given day.
Jennie Killman started 24 games at first base last year and the coaching staff expects her to take over during her sophomore season. Palomar Junior college transfer Dominique Van Nortwick will be battling Killman for playing time and brings a strong stick to the table.
After serving as a back-up for two seasons, Ashleigh Tweed is expected to take over at second base.
“Ashleigh has been working hard and waiting for her time to step in,” stated Rebenar “Calli Behmer graduated last year and the position is now Ashleigh's to lose.”
The most experienced player in the infield will be Stephanie Nicholson. The senior has started 106 games, missing just three games during her two seasons at OSU. In addition to bringing solid defensive play to the field, Nicholson is a force offensively, leading the Cowgirls with 27 RBI last spring.
“We expect great things from Stephanie this year,” said Rebenar. “She brings a lot of experience and leadership to the field. Offensively she is very intelligent and we expect her to play a major role this year.”
Sophomore Lauren Kitchens, who started 15 games at second and third last spring, and freshmen Tara Jeffery and Rachel Johnson are expected to serve as back-ups for the middle infield positions.
There will once again be a battle for playing time at third base. Shianne Cruce returns with 30 starts under her belt but Chelsea Caraway, a transfer from Santa Ana College, is expected to challenge for time.
Outfield
The Cowgirls return two of their three starting outfielders from one year ago. Shanel Scott started every game in center and Megan Carey started 34 in left field.
Scott also led the Cowgirls at the plate last spring, scoring a team-high 34 runs and stole 23 bases, good enough for second in the record books.
Carey, an All-Big 12 honoree in 2004, has played in 154 games at Oklahoma State and ranks in the top 10 for career home runs and runs batted in.
After starting 35 games in the infield in 2004, junior Lacy Darity is expected to shift to the outfield, a place where she started seven games as a freshman.
“It is imperative that we keep Shanel and Megan healthy this spring,” said Rebenar. “Lacy will see the bulk of her time in the outfield this year. From a defensive standpoint she is very quick and can run down a lot of balls. Our lineup is not locked, ultimately a lot will be decided by who is hitting well on a given day.”
A pair of transfers, Ashlyn Watson and Rikki Walker, will be pushing for time on the grass. Both gained considerable experience at the junior college level.
Schedule
The Cowgirl coaching staff once again put together an aggressive travel schedule in hopes of further preparing the team for the postseason.
“We increased our strength of schedule on purpose this year due to having greater depth,” stated Rebenar. “We have the guns to go out and compete against the top teams, make a name for ourselves and move into postseason play.”
The Cowgirls kick off the season with tournaments in Las Vegas, Nev., and Palm Springs, Calif. OSU will also participate in the Tulsa Festival and the Speedline Invitational in Clearwater, Fla.
The Cowgirls will face 13 teams that made the NCAA Tournament in 2004 year and three WCWS qualifiers, UCLA, Washington and Oklahoma.
OSU will have a home and home series with Wichita State and North Texas. A total of 16 home dates appear on the 2005 schedule.
Also on tap is the annual Border War with Arkansas and Tulsa, hosted by Arkansas on March 29.
“Top to bottom nothing is new or different in the Big 12,” commented Rebenar. “All 10 teams are good and it will be a battle this spring.”
OSU will host Missouri, Kansas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Texas at Cowgirl Stadium in conference action.
The Cowgirls will visit Baylor, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Iowa State and defending Big 12 champion Nebraska on the road.
OSU closes out the regular season at home against Texas and then has 10 days to prepare for the Big 12 Tournament.
The conference tournament will once again be held at Don E. Porter Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City May 11-15.
The road to the Women's College World Series grows a little longer in 2005 as an extra round has been added to the postseason.
Sixty-four teams will be selected for the tournament, followed by eight-team regionals and a two-team super regional round, both held at campus sites. The postseason culminates with the WCWS at Hall of Fame Stadium June 1-7.
