Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
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Kansas
Cowgirls Clinch Series With Kansas
April 21, 2013 | Cowgirl Softball
April 21, 2013
Final Stats
STILLWATER - The Oklahoma State softball team won the rubber match and the series with Kansas, defeating the Jayhawks 3-1 here this afternoon at Cowgirl Stadium, thanks to timely hits from freshmen Erika Campbell, Dre McKee and Tiffany Mikkelson.
The Cowgirls scored first in the bottom of the initial inning when senior Tamara Brown scored on a sacrifice fly by senior Samantha Chrisman to give OSU a 1-0 lead. It was the Cowgirls' first manufactured run of the series as the 10 runs in the previous two games all came on home runs.
Kansas tied the game in the top of the fourth inning when Chanin Naudin scored on a base hit by Chaley Brickey.
It didn't take OSU long to regain the lead in the bottom half of the frame. With one out in the inning and Mikkelson on first, Campbell lined into what would have been an inning-ending double play. However, it was ruled that pitcher Kelsey Kessler threw and illegal pitch and the inning continued. Later in Campbell's at-bat, she hit an RBI double to left center, scoring Mikkelson.
Two batters later, McKee came on as a pinch hitter and connected on her first career hit and RBI, a double to right center, scoring freshman Shianne Hughes, who was pinch running for Campbell. This gave the Cowgirls a 3-1 lead.
Kansas (27-13, 4-5 Big 12) battled hard in the top of the seventh inning. With runners on first and second and nobody out, Ashley Newman laid down a sacrifice bunt, advancing the runners. However, she was called out on runner's interference for being inside the foul line when she was hit in the helmet on the attempted putout. The throw went into rightfield and would have scored two runs had it stood. With the bases loaded and one out, Espinosa got the next two batters to pop up, ending the game and giving OSU the 3-1 victory.
Oklahoma State had just four hits, but two were doubles by McKee and Campbell. The other two were base hits by Brown and Mikkelson.
Senior Kat Espinosa (15-14) threw a complete game and picked up the win for the Cowgirls, allowing one run on six hits and striking out two.
The Cowgirls (26-21, 4-8) return the diamond Wednesday evening when they take on No. 22 Tulsa at the Cowgirl Softball Complex at 7 p.m.
