Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirls Begin Five-Game Road Trip in Utah
March 18, 2015 | Cowgirl Softball
March 18, 2015
STILLWATER, Okla. - The Oklahoma State softball team will take a five-game win streak into its weekend road trip, which consists of a doubleheader at Utah Valley and a three-game set at BYU. The Cowgirls will open the trip against the Wolverines on Thursday, and will conclude with a 2 p.m. matchup against the Cougars on Sunday. Each game can be followed live on okstate.com and on Twitter at @CowgirlSB. Friday and Saturday's games can be streamed live on BYUtv.
Game Notes
Last Time Out
On Tuesday, Oklahoma State recorded a walk-off win against Iowa and a shutout victory over Central Arkansas, helping the Cowgirls finish with a 9-2 record during their 11-game homestand. The doubleheader sweep improved also pushed the team over .500 for the first time this season, rounding the Cowgirls out at 14-13.
After fighting back from a 5-3 deficit to force a tie, Oklahoma State earned its first seven-inning walk-off victory against the Hawkeyes. The back-and-forth battle was clinched when Miranda Cavin slid safely at home after Michaela Patton's suicide squeeze, which came with one out in the bottom of the seventh. Brandi Needham earned the win after relieving Meagan Lively in the top of the seventh, and Shelby Davis finished with two hits, two runs scored and three stolen bases.
In the second half of the twin-bill, Needham's dominant performance in the circle led the Cowgirls to a 4-0 triumph over Central Arkansas. In her complete-game victory, Needham surrendered only three hits to the Bears and posted four strikeouts along the way. Offensively, Danielle Riddle's three-run double in the third proved to be the difference, while Needham earned her team-leading eighth win of the season in the Cowgirls' victory.
Scouting The Opponent
Team Information
Utah Valley Wolverines (11-16, 0-0)
Western Athletic Conference
2014 Record: 18-42
Starters Returning/Lost: 7/3
Newcomers: 13
Season Leaders
BA - Brianna Gatlin - .390
Hits - Brianna Gatlin - 23
HR - Brianna Gatlin - 5
Wins - Bailey Moore - 7
ERA - Bailey Moore - 4.08
Team Information
Brigham Young Cougars (17-7, 0-0)
West Coast Conference
2014 Record: 34-23
Starters Returning/Lost: 7-4
Newcomers: 5
Season Leaders
BA - Gordy Bravo - .450
Hits - Gordy Bravo - 36
HR - Four tied - 2
Wins - McKenna Bull - 17
ERA - McKenna Bull - 1.70
Speed Kills
Cowgirl senior Shelby Davis has been an invaluable asset on the basepaths throughout the first three years of her career. After swiping 23 bags in her first two seasons, Davis stole 41 bases in 2014, a season-total that stands at No. 2 on OSU's all-time list. Going into 2014, her 64 career stolen bases ranked third in school history, while also giving her the chance to ascend the list in 2015.
During the Cowgirls' doubleheader against Iowa and Central Arkansas on Tuesday, Davis stole a perfect four bases on four attempts, bringing her season total to 30. She now needs 22 stolen bases this season to become the all-time leader at OSU, as outlined in the following list:
All-Time Career Stolen Bases
1. 115 Mariah Gearhart (2008-11)
2. 108 Shanel Scott (2004-07)
3. 94 Shelby Davis (2012-pres.)
4. 47 Cyndi Smith (1995-96)
5. 41 Ari Morrison (2011-14)
