Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirls Open Big 12 Play
March 25, 2011 | Cowgirl Softball
March 25, 2011
Game Notes vs. Iowa State in PDF Format 
Stillwater, Okla. -- Oklahoma State's 18th-ranked softball team travels to Ames, Iowa, this weekend to take on the Iowa State Cyclones as both teams open Big 12 Conference action. Saturday's game is scheduled for 2 pm while Sunday's game will begin at noon.
Oklahoma State is 27-6 this season and on a seven-game winning streak. The Cowgirls defeated North Texas 9-5 in their last outing. OSU is 52-16 all-time against the Cyclones, including a 14-4 mark in Ames.
The Cowgirls are led by seniors Alysia Hamilton and Mariah Gearhart. Hamilton, OSU's starting second baseman, is batting .422 this season with 29 runs scored and 24 runs batted in. Gearhart, the starting third baseman, is hitting .409 with 36 runs scored and is 25 of 26 on stolen bases.
In the circle, sophomore Kat Espinosa is 14-2 this season with a 1.81 earned run average and four shutouts. Freshman Simone Freeman is 7-4 with a 1.69 ERA.
As a team, Oklahoma State is averaging six runs per game while allowing just two per contest. The Cowgirls are 27-1 when outhitting their opponents and 21-1 when scoring first this season. OSU's defense has turned 12 double plays this season, leading the Big 12 Conference.
