Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State Hosts North Texas in Home Opener
February 20, 2007 | Cowgirl Softball
Oklahoma State's softball team will play the University of North Texas in its home opener on Tuesday at 3 p.m. at Cowgirl Stadium. OSU is 5-5 on the season and coming off of a 2-3 weekend at the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic in Las Vegas. The Cowgirls had wins over Utah and No. 9 UCLA over the weekend. North Texas comes in with a 3-7 record and losers of four straight, including twice to No. 10 Texas. UNT went 1-4 in the Texas Classic over the weekend. It defeated Texas A&M-CC in the opener, but lost to the Islanders in the third-pplace game. The Mean Green does boast wins over Colorado State and Sam Houston State. OSU owns a 4-2 advantage over UNT all-time, but the last three scheduled meetings between the two schools have all been postponed due to weather, including last Wednesday. The two teams split a pair of games in 2005. All the action can be followed live via the web at www.okstate.com.
What to Watch For
Senior Shanel Scott is just one hit shy of becoming the second Cowgirl with 200 career hits. She went 4-for-7 in her first two games at the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic, but went hitless the rest of the weekend to remain at 199. Senior Courtney Totte needs just three RBIs to become the second Cowgirl with 100 RBIs for a career. Totte had seven RBIs last weekend at the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic and she currently leads the team with nine RBIs. Pitcher Jessica Hoppock set the school record with her 105th career start against Utah. She is creeping towrads the top in several other categories and should set records in appearances, innings and complete games.
Cowgirls Put it Together
Oklahoma State showed what it was capable of against UCLA. The Cowgirls did not commit an error on defense and allowed just one double, while OSU hit four doubles and two home runs. The result was an 8-1 victory over the ninth-ranked Bruins. The eight runs scored were a season high and seven hits were the third highest total this season. It also marked the first time this season that OSU failed to commit an error.
Kitchens Ends Drought
Senior Lauren Kitchens came off of a season in which she led the team in hitting with a .336 average and was named first team All-Big 12, but she got off to a slow start in her final collegiate season. Kitchens started in a 1-for-21 slump, but she broke out of it in a big way. Kitchens homered and doubled to lead OSU to an 8-1 upset over No. 9 UCLA.
Wieligman Juggles the Lineup
Head coach Rich Wieligman has been trying to find a combination that works the best on the field. He may have found it by sliding Lauren Kitchens to second base and inserting freshman Megan Castle into the lineup in left field. That lineup went 2-1 last weekend with wins over NCAA Tournament teams Utah and No. 9 UCLA. Against UCLA, Kitchens broke a 1-for-21 slump with a home run and a double, while hitting ninth in the lineup. Castle, a transfer from Arizona, has just two hits on the season but those hits are a home run and a double.
