Oklahoma State University Athletics
2016 Cowgirl Softball Position Previews: Corner Infield
February 01, 2016 | Cowgirl Softball
STILLWATER – Cowgirl softball fans will be welcomed with some of the old and some of the new in the infield during the 2016 season, primarily in the corner infield spots.
With Tiffany Mikkelson moving to the outfield for her senior season, the door opens for freshman Taylor Lynch at third base. Mikkelson started at third in 161 of the Cowgirls' last 162 contests, missing only one start during the 2014 campaign. However, a strong fall season from Lynch indicates a bright future at the hot corner.
"The one thing about Taylor is that she is 100 percent OSU," head coach Kenny Gajewski said. "She's been that way since day one, and this was a school that has always been number one on her list."
Lynch was a critical component of Oklahoma State's perfect fall slate, starting at third in each of the Cowgirls' eight scrimmages. As the team's two-hole hitter, Lynch sparked a lineup that tallied 13.75 runs per game, delivering a .344 mark at the plate and a team-leading three triples. Seven of Lynch's 11 base hits resulted in extra bases, leading to a .656 slugging percentage, 9 RBI's and 21 total bases.
"To face the level of competition at the collegiate level, it takes an unordinary amount of toughness. Taylor is as tough as it gets," Gajewski said. "She does a lot of things that a lot of freshmen aren't able to do in their first year, so we're very lucky to have her."
In addition to having Mikkelson available to step in at third base, the Cowgirls also have experience at the position with Michaela Patton, Asea Webber and Madi Sue Montgomery, each of whom had stints at third during the fall.
On the other side of the infield, Darcy Taylor and Danielle Riddle stand in a position battle for the right to start at first base. Both Cowgirls saw extended time in 2015, with Taylor making 19 starts at first and Riddle making 27.
"With Darcy Taylor and Danielle Riddle, it's going to be a pretty good fight there at first base," Gajewski said. "Both of them had good fall seasons and bring a little bit of a different edge. They'll both get time there to show us what we can do."
Riddle and Taylor bring similar skill sets both on offense and defense, as each can hit for power and can play at multiple spots in the field. Riddle finished tied for third in the team RBI count last season (22), while Taylor displayed a power surge during the Cowgirls fall campaign, blasting three home runs in only 23 at-bats.
The middle portion of the infield, which will consist of returning All-Big 12 Freshman Team honorees Vanessa Shippy and Randee O'Donnell, will be featured later this week. For more information and updates, follow @CowgirlSB on Twitter.
Season tickets for the 2016 Cowgirl softball season are now available, starting at $50 for general admission seating and $75 for seats in the reserved lower level. Tickets can be purchased by phone at (877) 255-4678, at the OSU Athletics Ticket office on the NE corner of Gallagher-Iba Arena or online at https://oss.ticketmaster.com/aps/okstate/EN/buy/details/SB16.
With Tiffany Mikkelson moving to the outfield for her senior season, the door opens for freshman Taylor Lynch at third base. Mikkelson started at third in 161 of the Cowgirls' last 162 contests, missing only one start during the 2014 campaign. However, a strong fall season from Lynch indicates a bright future at the hot corner.
"The one thing about Taylor is that she is 100 percent OSU," head coach Kenny Gajewski said. "She's been that way since day one, and this was a school that has always been number one on her list."
Lynch was a critical component of Oklahoma State's perfect fall slate, starting at third in each of the Cowgirls' eight scrimmages. As the team's two-hole hitter, Lynch sparked a lineup that tallied 13.75 runs per game, delivering a .344 mark at the plate and a team-leading three triples. Seven of Lynch's 11 base hits resulted in extra bases, leading to a .656 slugging percentage, 9 RBI's and 21 total bases.
"To face the level of competition at the collegiate level, it takes an unordinary amount of toughness. Taylor is as tough as it gets," Gajewski said. "She does a lot of things that a lot of freshmen aren't able to do in their first year, so we're very lucky to have her."
In addition to having Mikkelson available to step in at third base, the Cowgirls also have experience at the position with Michaela Patton, Asea Webber and Madi Sue Montgomery, each of whom had stints at third during the fall.
On the other side of the infield, Darcy Taylor and Danielle Riddle stand in a position battle for the right to start at first base. Both Cowgirls saw extended time in 2015, with Taylor making 19 starts at first and Riddle making 27.
"With Darcy Taylor and Danielle Riddle, it's going to be a pretty good fight there at first base," Gajewski said. "Both of them had good fall seasons and bring a little bit of a different edge. They'll both get time there to show us what we can do."
Riddle and Taylor bring similar skill sets both on offense and defense, as each can hit for power and can play at multiple spots in the field. Riddle finished tied for third in the team RBI count last season (22), while Taylor displayed a power surge during the Cowgirls fall campaign, blasting three home runs in only 23 at-bats.
The middle portion of the infield, which will consist of returning All-Big 12 Freshman Team honorees Vanessa Shippy and Randee O'Donnell, will be featured later this week. For more information and updates, follow @CowgirlSB on Twitter.
Season tickets for the 2016 Cowgirl softball season are now available, starting at $50 for general admission seating and $75 for seats in the reserved lower level. Tickets can be purchased by phone at (877) 255-4678, at the OSU Athletics Ticket office on the NE corner of Gallagher-Iba Arena or online at https://oss.ticketmaster.com/aps/okstate/EN/buy/details/SB16.
Players Mentioned
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OF
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IF
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UTL
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