Cowgirls Downed by Texas State, 4-0

Sunday, February 14

San Marcos, TX

12:00 PM

Oklahoma State University

2-3

Texas State

4-1

Oklahoma State

Texas State

February 14, 2016 | Cowgirl Softball

Box Score

SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Oklahoma State softball team was stymied by a strong Texas State pitching performance on Sunday, as the Cowgirls wrapped up the CenturyLink Classic with a 4-0 defeat at Bobcat Softball Stadium.

In a low-scoring game that saw both squads combine for only seven hits, Texas State was able to use timely hitting and a complete game shutout from Randi Rupp to end the Cowgirls' two-game winning streak.

"She's obviously really good," head coach Kenny Gajewski said about Rupp. "We had some chances to score some runs, but she was able to buckle down and make some big pitches in big time spots, especially when we had runners on base. I tip my cap to her."

Brandi Needham earned the start in the circle after tossing a complete game shutout against DePaul on Saturday. After getting two quick outs in the bottom of the first, the junior fell into some trouble, allowing a pair of runs on two hits, a walk and a hit batter. The two-run first marked the first time an opponent had scored first against OSU this season.

Oklahoma State produced its first scoring threat of the day in the top of the second, beginning with a leadoff walk from Red Reasnor. An infield single and stolen base from Vanessa Shippy put OSU runners on second and third with one out, but Darcy Taylor and Miranda Cavin each struck out to end inning.

After allowing a walk and a single in the second, Needham was replaced in the circle by Kacy Freeze, who earned the win in last night's victory over Abilene Christian. With one out and the bases loaded, Freeze was called for illegal pitches in consecutive at-bats, allowing two Texas State runs to cross the plate.

Freeze responded by striking out the next two Bobcat batters, but saw the Cowgirls leave the second inning with a 4-0 deficit. Still, Freeze was solid in relief, keeping the Bobcats scoreless for the remainder of the afternoon.

The Oklahoma State offense was tasked with facing Texas State starter Randi Rupp, who limited the Cowgirls to one run in Friday's 3-1 defeat. The Cowgirls put a runner in scoring position again in the fourth, but were cut down after Rupp forced an inning-ending fly out from Shippy.

The Cowgirls made one final effort in the top of the sixth, but were unable to catch a break as Vanessa Shippy's two-out double struck less than a foot from the top of the left-center fence. Michaela Patton came on to pinch hit with runners on second and third, but went down swinging to end the inning.

Starring for the Cowgirls was Freeze, who didn't allow an earned run in 4.2 innings in relief. After falling behind, 4-0, Freeze kept Oklahoma State in reaching distance, but was unable to help an OSU offense that left eight runners on base during the contest and was 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position.

"I thought we learned a ton about our team today," Gajewski said. "We obviously have some things that we can go back to and learn from, but we're looking forward to seeing what next week holds."

Oklahoma State will resume play on Friday, Feb. 19, as it takes on No. 8 Tennessee in Clearwater, Fla.

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-ALL-4-OSU, at the OSU Athletics Ticket Office or online at http://okla.st/SoftballSeasonTickets-2016.