Six-Run Fourth Inning Lifts Cowgirls to Victory

Saturday, February 14

Mobile, Ala.

1:30 PM

Oklahoma State University

1-5

Evansville

2-6

Oklahoma State

Evansville

February 15, 2015 | Cowgirl Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Box Score

MOBILE, Ala. – An offensive onslaught in the bottom of the fourth inning helped the Oklahoma State softball team defeat Butler, 9-5, on Saturday, and finish 2-2 at the Mardi Gras Invitational in Mobile, Ala.

Box Score - Game One
Box Score - Game Two

After falling to Evansville this morning, the victory over the Bulldogs gives the Cowgirls (2-5) their second doubleheader split in as many days. On Friday, Oklahoma State fought from behind to take down Lipscomb, 9-5, but lost a one-run battle to South Alabama in the nightcap.

“Overall, I think we came out tonight and gave a solid all-around team effort,” pitching coach Tracie Adix-Zins said. “It's always good to end the weekend a high note, and we'll look to take that added momentum into next weekend.”

The Cowgirls raced out to a hot start in the bottom of the first inning, as Shelby Davis led off with an infield single and advanced to third on two Butler errors. After Shianne Hughes went down swinging, Tiffany Mikkelson brought Davis home with a sacrifice fly to left, giving the junior her second RBI of the season. Two batters later, Oklahoma State took an early 2-0 on Danielle Riddle's double to right.

Leading up to the Cowgirls' big fourth inning, OSU starter Brandi Needham navigated her way out of multiple jams to keep the Butler offense scoreless. The Bulldogs managed to put runners on in each of the first three frames, but Needham's perfect fourth inning helped the Cowgirls gain momentum and break the game open shortly after.

Oklahoma State's six-run effort in the fourth began with Collins' third home run of the season and her second of the weekend. Four batters later, Randee O'Donnell knocked an RBI single into right, pushing the OSU lead to 4-0. Gessenia DeLaCruz's base-hit brought the top of the Cowgirl lineup to the plate, and with the bases loaded, Davis lined a sharp single into center, scoring O'Donnell and Darcy Taylor.

Hughes then brought Davis and DeLaCruz around to score on a triple down the right field line, capping off a massive inning for Cowgirls.

Butler eventually got on the scoreboard with four runs in the fifth and one in seventh, but it wouldn't be enough to faze Needham, who earned a complete-game victory and her second win of the season.

“Brandi started off well, gained some consistency and was able to get the job done,” Adix-Zins said. “She had one rough inning, but she bounced right back and shut them out in fifth. I really liked the way she battled tonight.”

Overall, the Cowgirls finished with nine hits, including a 2-4 performance from Davis and a 2-3 effort from Riddle. Oklahoma State's nine runs match a season-high, tying the team's nine-run outing against Lipscomb on Friday.

In the team's first game, the Cowgirls were forced to play from behind early on, as Evansville jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. The Purple Aces used a walk and two singles to put their first three runners on base, and brought three each of them around to score on Abbi Fahse's sacrifice fly and Mickaela Fleming's single to right.

It wouldn't take long for the Cowgirls to strike, as Oklahoma State responded with two runs of its own. With the bases loaded, Dre McKee and Davis drew back-to-back four-pitch walks, bringing home Riddle and Vanessa Shippy for the Cowgirls' first two scores of the game.

Despite struggling through the opening frame, OSU starter Meagan Lively kept the Purple Aces scoreless in the second and third innings, thanks in part to a gritty OSU defense. With two runners on in the second, Mikkelson located a high fly ball near the OSU dugout and was able lean over the railing, haul in the out and help the Cowgirls escape the inning.

In the fourth, Maddi Holcomb chased down a deep line drive off the bat of Hayli Scott and keep two Evansville baserunners at bay. However, the home side would extend its lead on the next at-bat after O'Donnell's throw to third sailed wide of Mikkelson and rolled into the OSU dugout, allowing two runs to advance and score.

After fighting for multiple leads against South Alabama last night, the Cowgirls again showed off their relentless fight by pounding out three runs over the next two innings. Oklahoma State got one in the fifth after Riddle and Collins led off the inning with back-to-back doubles, and scored twice in the sixth on Mikkelson's RBI single and Riddle's sacrifice fly.

Needing three runs to tie the game in seventh, OSU continued to put runners on base, as Davis and Mikkelson reached on a single and walk. Collins stepped up to the plate with a chance to tie the game, but was unable to pull continue the Oklahoma State comeback. Overall, the Cowgirls were able to draw ten walks and record five base-hits, but a 3-19 mark with runners in scoring position kept the Cowgirls from extending the game.

Offensively, Davis finished 3-4 with four stolen bases, while Riddle ended the day with two hits in three at-bats in addition to posting two RBIs and one run scored.

Next weekend, the Cowgirls will head to Palm Springs, Calif., to take on a loaded field at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic. Oklahoma State will open play on Friday, Feb. 20, with a doubleheader against Long Beach State and Florida State.