Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirl Softball Opens Fall Slate
September 23, 2013 | Cowgirl Softball
Sept. 23, 2013
STILLWATER - Oklahoma State's Cowgirl softball team will open its fall exhibition schedule this Wednesday, Sept. 25, when the Cowgirls take on Independence Community College in a doubleheader beginning at 5 p.m. at Cowgirl Stadium.
The Cowgirls return 10 players from last year's 30-26 team, including senior Tarah Ettinger, who was named first-team All-Midwest Region and All-Big 12 Second Team.
Also returning for the Cowgirls is senior pitcher Simone Freeman who looks to build upon her 12-7 record and 2.70 earned run average from last season. Senior Ari Morrison will also return to her spot at second base. Morrison was second on the 2013 team in batting average (.323) after missing a part of the season due to a knee injury.
This will be the first chance for fans to get a look at the 2013-14 Cowgirl squad, which includes eight newcomers. Freshmen Meagan Lively, Peyton Walker and Whitney Whitehorn will work to replace the spot vacated by Kat Espinosa. Lively, a Monroe, La., native, was the 2012 Louisiana Pitcher of the Year.
Whitehorn compiled a 22-3 record with a 0.90 earned run average as a senior with 14 shutouts and two no-hitters. Walker finished her career at Hammon High School with a 109-18 record in the circle, striking out 1,100 batters in her four-year career.
Also making their Cowgirl debut will be freshmen Miranda Cavin, Madisyn Long and Madison Ellis, as well as transfers Danielle Riddle (Arkansas) and Michaela Patton (Savannah State). Patton started 46 games as a freshman and batted .329 with 42 runs scored and 22 RBIs.
Along with Wednesday's double header, the Cowgirls will face Connors State in a doubleheader on Wednesday, Oct. 2, starting at 5 p.m. at the Cowgirl Softball Complex. They will then hit the road and take on Tulsa in a doubleheader on Saturday, Oct. 12, beginning at noon. OSU will wrap up its fall slate on Saturday, Oct. 20, when the Cowgirls travel to Fayetteville, Ark., to take on the Razorbacks in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.
