Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirl Softball Begins Conference Play
March 20, 2009 | Cowgirl Softball
Cowgirls Host Jayhawks
Oklahoma State hosts the Kansas Jayhawks this weekend to open Big 12 play. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. OSU leads 60-43 in the all-time series, including a 19-14 record in Stillwater. Last season the teams split the series in Lawrence.
About Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State is 23-6 overall this season following a 9-1 run-rule victory over Northern Iowa in Stillwater on Thursday night. The Cowgirls are on a five-game winning streak and have won 18 of their last 20. As a team, OSU is batting .289 on the season and averaging nearly 4.8 runs per game. The Cowgirl pitching staff has compiled a 1.55 earned run average (second in the Big 12) and 13 shutouts.
At the Plate
Oklahoma State has six different players batting .300 or better at the plate, including three hitting at a .340 clip or better. Sophomore Alysia Hamilton is batting .367 with 33 hits and a team-high, as well as Big 12-high, 36 runs batted in. Sophomore Mariah Gearhart is batting .354 with 29 hits and a team-high 29 runs scored (third in the Big 12). She also leads the conference in stolen bases being successful on 21-of-22 stolen-base attempts and is tied for first in the Big 12 for three triples. Junior Megan Castle is hitting .342 with 25 hits in 73 at-bats. As a squad, OSU has 28 doubles, seven triples and 15 home runs, including five by freshman Julie Ward. The Cowgirls have a .405 slugging percentage and a .382 on-base percentage. OSU has been successful on 37-of-42 stolen bases.
In the Circle
Oklahoma State's pitching staff has compiled a 1.55 earned run average, led by junior Anna Whiddon's 1.33 ERA. The Cowgirl right-hander is 11-4 this season with 17 starts, nine complete games and seven shutouts. She also has 92 strikeouts in 94.2 innings pitched. Sophomore Sarah Odom has a 10-1 record and a 1.88 ERA. The lefty has 11 starts, four complete games and two shutouts. She also has 66 strikeouts and just 19 walks in 70.2 innings pitched.
About the Jayhawks
Kansas is 10-14 on the season including wins over then-No. 7 Arizona, No. 9 Northwestern and No. 9 California. The Jayhawks are batting .241 as a team and are being led by senior Val Chapple's .362. Chapple has 24 hits including four doubles, a triple and two home runs. The KU pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.06 led by junior Sarah Vertelka's 2.75 ERA. Senior Val George has a record of 7-7, an ERA of 2.80, 83 strikeouts and 28 walks in 80.0 innings pitched
Improvement
Oklahoma State is 23-6 this season, including a season-opening victory over Stanford, which is currently ranked fourth nationally. The Cowgirls' 23-6 mark is tied for the best record through 28 games in the last 10 seasons. Only in 2003 did OSU fare as well through the first 28 contests.
Freshmen Impact
Three Cowgirl freshmen are having a significant impact on the season. Centerfielder Kelsey Anchors is batting .321 going 18-for-56 at the plate. Julie Ward has five home runs, three doubles and 20 RBIs. Starting shortstop Chelsea Garcia has nine RBIs and has recorded 27 put outs and 54 assists in the field.
Cowgirls in the Record Books
Several Cowgirls are moving up in the record books. Mariah Gearhart holds the career record for hit by pitches with 29. She holds the season record from last season with 16 and currently has 13. She is also third in career stolen bases with 45. Anna Whiddon is moving up in the career records for appearances (eighth with 81), starts (tied for 10th with 58), complete games (13th with 28), strikeouts (12th with 270) and saves (tied for third with five.)
