Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirls Head to Palm Springs for Tournament
February 24, 2010 | Cowgirl Softball
Feb. 24, 2010
STILLWATER, Okla. — The Oklahoma State softball team will face another road test this weekend as they will play five talented teams including No. 1 Washington and No. 13 California in the Cathedral City Classic. The Cowgirls are 6-4 on the season and are coming of a tough 1-4 weekend in Louisiana. OSU won their game against Virginia, but fell twice to No. 4 Michigan and No. 19 LSU.
As a team, the Cowgirls are batting .263 and are led by junior Mariah Gearhart with a .438 batting average, 14 hits and five stolen bases. Sophomore Julie Ward has been the heavy hitter for OSU with an .829 slugging percentage, four home runs, five doubles and 18 runs batted in, which ties her for most in the Big 12.
The pitching staff is being led by freshman Kat Espinosa with a 2-1 record and a 1.96 earned run average. She has thrown 25 innings, allowed 20 hits for seven earned runs and struck out 24.
OSU will face two ranked opponents this weekend and the other three are just shy of the top 25 and receiving votes every week.
On Thursday, the Cowgirls will play Hawaii and BYU. Hawaii is 7-3 and is coming off two wins against San Diego and Cal-State Fullerton. Brigham Young is 9-1 and is also on a two-game winning streak after defeating Illinois-Chicago and Cal-State Fullerton.
On Friday, Oklahoma State will play one game against Cal-State Fullerton who is 2-8 on the year with three of their losses coming from top 25 teams.
On Saturday, OSU will face their top 25 competition for the weekend in No. 19 California and the defending national champions, No. 1 Washington.
California is 7-3 so far this season and are coming off a 4-1 win over No. 11 Georgia Tech. Washington is 7-1 this season and returning 2009 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, Danielle Lawrie.
Cathedral City Classic Schedule
Thursday
12:30 – vs. Hawaii
3:00 - vs. BYU
Friday
10:00 – vs. Cal State Fullerton
Saturday
7:30 – vs. California
10:30 – vs. Washington
(all times are central )
