Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State University
Iowa State
Cowgirls Sweep Cyclones in Double Header, Win Series
April 05, 2014 | Cowgirl Softball
April 5, 2014
STILLWATER, Okla. - The Oklahoma State softball team snapped a five-game losing streak took the series and by sweeping Iowa State in a doubleheader Saturday afternoon. The Cowgirls won game one 11-0 in five innings, and defeated ISU 7-6 in nine innings in the nightcap.
The Cowgirls (21-16, 2-5 Big 12) wasted no time getting the offense going. In the bottom of the first inning, OSU scored three runs on three hits. The Cowgirls extended the lead to 7-0 in the bottom of the second in an inning that was highlighted by Ari Morrison's three-run home run off the scoreboard in right field. That home run was her first since hitting one April 6, 2013, at Iowa State.
OSU added three more runs in the bottom of the third when Shelby Davis singled to rightfield, scoring Dre McKee and Shianne Hughes. Later in the inning, Shannon Kaufman scored on a wild pitch to extend the OSU lead to 10-0. The Cowgirls added one more run in the bottom of the fourth to make the score 11-0, and the game was called due to run-rule after Iowa State failed to score in the top of the fifth.
In the circle, Simone Freeman started and dominated the Cyclone hitters, allowing just one hit while striking out four in three innings. Freshman Peyton Walker entered the game in the top of the fourth inning and allowed just two hits with a strikeout in two innings.
Offensively, the Cowgirls had 10 hits. Davis led the team with a 3-for-3 effort with two runs scored and two runs batted in. Kaufman went 2-for-3 with two runs scored. In the second contest, Iowa State (18-17, 1-5) jumped on board first, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning off starter Meagan Lively. Walker entered the game with the bases loaded and nobody out. After forcing a flyout, the third run of the inning scored on a fielder's choice. On what appeared to be a wild pitch, Sara Rice was picked off first base to end the frame.
The Cowgirls battled back and cut the Cyclones lead to one in the bottom of the first when Danielle Riddle hit a two-run home run to leftfield. OSU took a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the third when Riddle hit a double to centerfield, scoring Morrison and Davis and recording her fourth RBI of the game.
In the top of the fifth inning, ISU tied the game at 4-4 and in the bottom of the inning, OSU retook the lead when Tarah Ettinger doubled down the leftfield line, scoring Michaela Patton.
The Cyclones took a 6-5 lead on a two-run home run by Lexi Slater. The Cowgirls refused to quit, and in the bottom of the seventh inning with two outs, Ettinger popped the ball up in front of the ISU second baseman, whom lost the ball in the sun and it dropped in the infield, scoring Riddle from second base to tie the game at 6-6 and send it into extra innings.
The Cowgirls walked-off in the bottom of the ninth inning when Madison Ellis singled to rightfield, scoring Mikkelson from second and giving OSU the 7-6 victory.
Walker had her most productive game of the season and threw five solid innings, allowing one run on five hits while striking out two. Freeman (16-9) replaced Walker in the sixth inning and picked up her 16th win of the season.
At the plate, the Cowgirls had 13 hits. Riddle led the team in the game by going 4-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs scored. Ettinger was 2-for-3 with two RBIs.
Morrison was 2-for-5 with two runs scored and Davis went 2-for-4 with one run scored, extending her hitting streak to 12 games. She also had five stolen bases on the day, moving her into third place on the OSU single-season steals list with 33.
The Cowgirls return to action on Wednesday, April 9, when they host North Texas at Cowgirl Stadium. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. General admission tickets for all Cowgirl Softball home games are $5 and can be purchased either by phone at (877) 255-4678 or at the OSU Athletic Ticket office on the northeast corner of Gallagher-Iba Arena. If fans can't make it to the game, they can listen to all three games on KGFY (105.5 FM) or follow the Cowgirls via Twitter @CowgirlSB for news, updates and much more.
