Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirls Host Three-Game Set Against 23rd-Ranked Kansas
April 01, 2015 | Cowgirl Softball
April 1, 2015
STILLWATER, Okla. - The Oklahoma State softball team will host its first conference series of the season this weekend, as the Cowgirls welcome Kansas for a three-game set at Cowgirl Stadium. The series will open with a 6 p.m. matchup on Thursday, and will conclude with a 1 p.m. tilt on Saturday. Each of this weekend's games can be followed live at okstate.com or on Twitter at @CowgirlSB. Fans can also tune in to 105.5 KGFY FM in Stillwater.
Game Notes
The start of conference play in Stillwater brings unique incentives to fans planning to come out to Cowgirl Stadium this weekend. The three-game series will offer the following promotions:
- Thursday -- "Twitter Thursday" -- 6 p.m.
- $3 tickets are available for fans who follow @CowgirlSB on Twitter.
- Season tickets holders can purchase BOGO tickets for a friend.
- Use online code: SB15THANKYOU
- After the game, children will have the opportunity to run the bases.
- Friday -- "Daddy/Daughter Night" -- 5:30 p.m.
- Fathers attending with their daughters can purchase two tickets for $5.
- Use online code: SB15DDN
- OSU students can attend the game free of charge.
- OSU players and staff will host an autograph session following the game.
- Saturday -- "Kids Day" -- 1 p.m.
- Children 8th grade and under get in free.
- Kids and parents can take part in an on-field Easter egg hunt after the game.
General admission tickets for all Cowgirl softball home games are $5, and can be purchased by phone at (877) 255-4678, at the OSU Athletic Ticket office on the NE corner of Gallagher-Iba Arena or at Cowgirl Stadium one hour prior to first pitch on game days.
Last Time Out
After dropping consecutive one-run contests against No. 13 Baylor, the Cowgirls closed the weekend with a 1-0 win in Sunday's series finale, highlighted by a complete-game shutout from pitcher Brandi Needham. The sophomore escaped several jams over the full seven, as Baylor recorded seven hits, but left ten runners on base.
After pounding out seven runs on Saturday, Oklahoma State's lone score would be all the Cowgirls would need. Despite having multiple scoring chances, the eventual game-winning run was put on base when Michaela Patton drew a six-pitch walk in the top of the second. With one out, Gessenia DeLaCruz's sacrifice bunt attempt landed just short of the diving Ari Hawkins, allowing both runners to safely occupy first and second.
In the following at-bat, Miranda Cavin reached on a fielder's choice, but first baseman Shelby Friudenberg was able to nab Patton at third with a charging throw from the opposite site of the diamond. With two down, leadoff batter Shelby Davis delivered a sharp single to the left side that deflected off Sarah Smith's glove at third, allowing DeLaCruz to score from second. The base-hit capped off a huge series for Davis, who finished the three-game set with a .600 mark at the plate (6-10), six stolen bases and the game-winning RBI in Sunday's series finale.
Scouting the Opponent
Team Information
Kansas Jayhawks (29-5, 0-3)
Big 12 Conference
2014 Record: 34-23 (NCAA Regionals)
Starters Returning/Lost: 7/4
Newcomers: 9
Season Leaders
BA - Chaley Brickey - .398
R - Briana Evans -- 35
HR - Brickey/Chavez -- 8
Wins - Alicia Pille -- 18
ERA - Alicia Pille - 2.27
On Top of the World
Since the first set of NCAA National Statistics Rankings were released on March 9, Cowgirl senior Shelby Davis has held the nation's No. 1 spot in the stolen bases category. Her current mark of 1.26 stolen bases per game leads the country, and her season total of 39 stolen bases ranks first nationwide. Through 35 games this season, Davis has stolen more than twice as many bases than any other competitor in the Big 12.
Along with Davis, Shianne Hughes (.43), Tiffany Mikkelson (.43) and Vanessa Shippy (.40) also rank in the top 100 in steals per game. As a team, the Cowgirls average 2.74 swiped bags per contest, a mark that ranks fourth in the nation.
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' conference-opening series at Baylor last weekend, Davis added six stolen bags to her 2015 campaign, bringing her season total to 39. She now needs 13 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. 103 Shelby Davis (2012-pres.)
4. 47 Cyndi Smith (1995-96)
5. 41 Ari Morrison (2011-14)
Instant Impact
Four Cowgirl freshmen made their collegiate debuts in the team's season opener against Arizona, including Vanessa Shippy, Maddi Holcomb and Jessi Haffner. Shippy, a native of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, recorded her first-career hit with a third-inning double, while Holcomb knocked in her first-career RBI on a groundout in the fifth, which scored pinch runner Randee O'Donnell, also a freshman.
The highlight of the night, however, came in the top of the second, when freshman leftfielder Mallory Collins stepped to the plate for the first time in a Cowgirl uniform. Five pitches later, Collins sent a 2-2 pitch from Arizona starter Nancy Bowling over the leftfield fence, giving her a home run in her first collegiate at-bat. The Sand Springs, Okla., native went on to record base-hits in each of the next two games, putting her total bases tally at six after the opening weekend.
Channel Surfing
On Saturday, May 9, Oklahoma State will be featured in the national spotlight, as the Cowgirls' matchup against Oklahoma will televised live on ESPN2. The Bedlam battle, set to begin at 2 p.m. CT, will be hosted by the Sooners, and will be available for fans to watch on the following cable providers: Suddenlink (31/231 HD), AT&T U-Verse (606/1606 HD), DirecTV (206/) and Dish Network (141).
