Dynamic Cowgirl Duo Prepares For Road Series at Texas Tech

Stillwater, Okla.---- Vanessa Shippy and Taylor Lynch are an oddly perfect duo for Oklahoma State as it travels to Texas Tech for a three-game series.

It's odd to think Shippy, from Idaho, would have much in common with Lynch, who is from Texas. Fortunately for the Cowgirls, the dynamic duo at the top of the lineup has meshed perfectly, and it's led to seemingly constant production at the plate.

"Playing with Taylor has been one of the best things about this season," Shippy said. "I definitely connected with Taylor as a player and that is pretty cool. On and off the field, she's great to be around. I think playing with someone you enjoy playing with, has the same mindset as you and skillset is fun. So I think the friendship we have on and off the field has really helped us be successful at the top of the lineup."

Every time you look up, it seems as though one or both is on base, giving the Cowgirls a good chance to score. The pair is batting a combined .397 at the plate this season with 26 RBIs and 46 runs scored.

The duo has also produced two of the more impressive streaks of the season for Oklahoma State. Shippy has reached base 27 consecutive games, while Lynch has had at least one hit in 13 consecutive games.

"It's a great feeling all around," Lynch said. "As a two-hole, it's cool to have someone in the leadoff position that you know is going to get on. So I all ready kind of start my plan in my head, 'I know she's going to get on, if she gets on second I need to do this. If she gets on first, I need to do this.' If it works out I get on, too. If it doesn't, I move her, which is the main goal."

Shippy said she feels the same, and appreciates Lynch sacrificing herself when needed to move her over a base to give the team a better opportunity to score.The duo knows they're the ones who can set the tone for the day at the plate for the team, and they take it upon themselves to get things started from the first at bat.

Oklahoma State coach Kenny Gajewski said the duo has been great this year, and helped spark the run the Cowgirls have been on as of late.

"It feels like they're on base a lot," Gajewski said. "I think if you go back and look at our first weekend, we were just OK offensively and both of them were just OK. Since that weekend, maybe the third was when they started to find their groove. Once that happened, I think you can tell where our team has been. They were right in the middle of our action (against Oklahoma), and I expect that to stay the same."

Oklahoma State will look for the duo to continue not only their respected streaks, but also their production this weekend in Lubbock.

The three-game series is set to begin on April 1 at 6 p.m. The second game will be April 2 at 4 p.m., with the final game of the series set for April 3 at noon.

Online coverage of the game can be found at okstate.com. Live stats will be provided. Fans can also follow the game on Twitter (@CowgirlSB), Instagram (Cowgirl Softball) and Facebook for updates and behind the scenes looks at the Cowgirls.

Texas Tech will also live stream the game, and the link will be provided on okstate.com.

Dynamic Cowgirl Duo Prepares For Road Series at Texas Tech

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Players Mentioned

Taylor Lynch

Vanessa Shippy

Oklahoma State University Athletics