Cowgirl Softball's Upset Bid Ended on Walk-Off Double

Sunday, February 8

Tucson, Ariz.

1:00 PM

Oklahoma State University

0-3

Arizona

3-0

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Oklahoma State	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	1	3	5	1
Arizona	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	2	4	7	2

February 08, 2015 | Cowgirl Softball

Box Score

Feb. 8, 2015

TUCSON, Ariz. - A thrilling eight-inning affair with the 12^th-ranked team in the country ended in a heartbreaking defeat for the Oklahoma State softball team on Sunday, as the Cowgirls fell to Arizona, 4-3, at Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium in Tucson, Ariz.

Box Score

After taking the lead in the top of the eighth on a misplayed ball by Arizona shortstop Kellie Fox, the Cowgirls' (0-3) upset hopes were dashed, as pinch hitter Ashleigh Hughes lined a two-run walk-off double off the leftfield fence.

“We started five freshmen today, and we were still able to hang with those guys,” head coach Rich Wieligman said. “You can't ask for anything more than that. This game can serve as a stepping stool for their development over the rest of their careers.”

Meagan Lively started in the circle for the first time this season, allowing two runs through 5.1 innings while striking out two. The sophomore from Monroe, La., battled through several jams, including a bases-loaded situation in the bottom of the second. After allowing a single and back-to-back walks, Lively forced a slow grounder to shortstop Randee O'Donnell, who fired to third for the force out.

Lively again came through in the following frame, when Arizona leftfielder Chelsea Suitos led off with a single and advanced to third on a throwing error from Dre McKee. With one out, Lively got Kellie Fox, Arizona's No. 3 hitter, to line out to short before forcing a pop out from clean-up hitter Chelsea Goodacre.

The Cowgirls created multiple scoring chances throughout the first half of the game, but finally broke through in the top of the fifth inning. O'Donnell, making the first start of her career, led off with a single to right. Maddi Holcomb, looking to move O'Donnell to second, laid down a bunt, and reached first when Trish Parks' throw to second arrived late. Two batters and two outs later, former Wildcat Darcy Taylor stepped to the plate and delivered a two-run single into center, giving the Cowgirls their first lead of the day.

However, Arizona would strike back in the bottom of the inning on Goodacre's two-out, two-run double down the right field line. Lively lasted through the fifth, and would eventually be replaced by Whitehorn in the bottom of the sixth.

After starting on Saturday, Whitehorn provided solid relief in Sunday's matchup, keeping the Wildcats scoreless for 2.1 innings before allowing the eventual game-winning hit. Offensively, Vanessa Shippy, Mallory Collins and Shianne Hughes added to the hits column for the Cowgirls, who finished the day with five base hits.

The Oklahoma State softball team will return to action next weekend at the Mardi Gras Invitational in Mobile, Ala. The tournament is set to begin on Feb. 13, with the Cowgirls' matchup against Lipscomb.