Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirls Host Huskers
April 30, 2010 | Cowgirl Softball
April 30, 2010
#11 Oklahoma State Cowgirls
(41-11 overall, 10-4 Big 12)
vs
Nebraska Huskers
(28-23 overall, 6-8 Big 12)
Cowgirl Stadium • Stillwater, Okla.
Saturday, May 1, 2 p.m. • Sunday, May 2, 12 p.m.
Radio • KSPI 780 AM
Game Notes vs. Nebraska in PDF Format 
On Tap
Oklahoma State begins its final homestand of the regular season this weekend as the Cowgirls host the Nebraska Huskers. OSU has four game remaining, starting at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The Cowgirls and Nebraska will play at noon on Sunday.
About the Cowgirls
Oklahoma State is 41-11 overall this season and 10-4 in Big 12 play. The Cowgirls are currently in third place in the Big 12 Conference. OSU is ranked No. 11 in the latest NFCA Coaches poll & USA Softball/ESPN poll. The Cowgirls are 12th in the Ultimate College Softball poll. Three losses this season have come against the top-two teams in the country (Washington and Michigan). The Cowgirls' 41-10 record is the best mark through 51 games since 1994 when Oklahoma State was also 41-10. OSU is just one of four teams with 40 or more wins entering the next-to-last week of the regular season.
At the Plate
The Cowgirls are led by junior third baseman Mariah Gearhart who is batting .381 with 45 runs scored. Sophomore first baseman Julie Ward has a .341 batting average and a .681 slugging percentage with nine home runs and 20 doubles. She is third in the Big 12 with 49 RBIs and has three grand slams on the season. Five different Cowgirls have at least 40 hits this season and six different players have scored at least 20 runs. Five different Cowgirls have a .400 or better slugging percentage at the plate this season.
In the Circle
Oklahoma State's pitching staff is led by senior Anna Whiddon who is 20-6 overall this season. She has a 2.28 earned run average in 160 innings pitched. She has 14 complete games, five shutouts, six saves and is averaging more than 7.5 strikeouts per seven innings. Freshman Kat Espinosa is 18-4 this season with a 1.56 earned run average, 24 starts, 12 complete games and six shutouts this season. This marks the first time since 1994 that two different Cowgirl hurlers have each recorded 15 or more victories. Kim Ward and Amy Day each had 20 wins that season.
On Radio
All remaining Cowgirl softball games will be broadcast over the airwaves by Stillwater Radio, either on KGFY 105.5 FM or KSPI 780 AM. Bill Van Ness, as he has done for the past nine seasons, handles the play-by-play duties. This weekend's games will be aired on KSPI 780 AM, as will next weekend's contests. All postseason games will be broadcast as well.
Series History vs Nebraska
Oklahoma State is 46-42 all-time against Nebraska, including a 14-8 mark in games played in Stillwater. The Cowgirls have won three of the last four, including a sweep of the Huskers two years ago in Stillwater. Oklahoma State is 17-13 in shutouts in the series and 8-5 in extra-inning contests. The Cowgirls are 12-7 vs. the Huskers as a ranked team.
Up Next
Oklahoma State will take a week off for finals next week before hosting Texas A&M (37-13 overall, 8-6 Big 12). The Cowgirls and Aggies will play at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 8, and 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 9. That game will also be Senior Day, celebrating the careers of five Cowgirl seniors.
Looking Forward to the Big 12 Championship
If the season ended today, Oklahoma State would serve as the No. 3 seed in the Big 12 Championship and play No. 6 Texas Tech at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 15, on the alternate field at ASA/Hall of Fame Stadium.
