Oklahoma State University Athletics
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Gajewski, Cowgirls Preview Week Four of Fall
October 17, 2017 | Cowgirl Softball
STILLWATER – The Oklahoma State softball team continues its fall season this week with a matchup against Connors State on Wednesday at Cowgirl Stadium and then a doubleheader in Fayetteville against Arkansas on Friday at 4 p.m. Here's a look at what head coach Kenny Gajewski and the Cowgirls had to say about the upcoming week:
Head Coach Kenny Gajewski
On the upcoming slate of games:
"Well this is a good week of fall ball for us. We've got a midweek game against Connors State and we'll go on the road for the first time to Arkansas, which will be good for this team and these newcomers. We'll travel and they'll see how that works, so I think it's a necessary item for us. It'll be a great test for us on both days with a doubleheader against Arkansas and a 10-inning game against Connors State."
On the value of playing on the road and in a doubleheader during the fall:
"I think the most important thing for these newcomers is just learning how we travel. This is obviously a bus trip this week, so just knowing what time the bus shows up. We have plane trips to, and that's a little bit different, but we want them to understand how to order their bus meal and what they want for their postgame meal. There's a lot that goes into it. They don't just show up and things work out. It puts them in the position of having to get that stuff done. Going on the road and playing a really good opponent gets us out of our comfort zone and I think we learn a lot about these kids when they're out of their comfort zone. It's a really important week for us in the sense that when springtime comes and the games really count, they've already done this at least once."
On where the team is at through three weeks of fall play:
"I like this team. I've told them this numerous times, but I like the way they go about their business. Our work each day has been really good and they continue to excite me and they're showing us new things. Those are signs of a good team. This competition that we have is pulling a lot out of these kids - some that we want to see and some that we don't want to see - but we've learned about the newcomers and our returners so far. They've shown us that we have a chance to be very offensive. We're pitching maybe a little better than I might've thought or hoped and defensively I thought it would be our strong suit and it continues to be that for sure."
Junior Madi Sue Montgomery
On how the fall has gone so far:
"I think it has gone really well. It's good to see all of the freshman and newcomers playing and it's good to be all together. Its just been a lot of fun being out there and playing together with everyone."
On the relationship between the freshman and upperclassmen:
"I think we've tried really hard to help them, but also to not overcoach them at the same time. We just try to help them when we know they need help, like if it's something they haven't heard before and they're like "can you help me out?" but other than that we try to not overdo it too much."
On what she's working on this fall:
"Right now, I want to get back my hitting and so I'm focusing on that. Last year after knee surgery, I didn't do as well as I wanted to so that's my focus right now. It's nice to be back out there though and it's a lot better than just sitting out there watching the entire game."
Senior Rylee Bayless
On where the team is at through three weeks of fall action:
"I think we're at a pretty good spot for where we're at and it being the fall. We're still building up to where we want to be in the spring, but it's awesome to see all of our new faces balling out there on the field and getting playing time."
On transitioning to the outfield:
"It's a grind. I never knew how much went into outfield work until I moved out there. I thought it was just catching ball, but that's not the case. I've been coming here early most days before practice and games and working with my coaches to try and get a good feel of what's going on out there."
On the newcomers to the team:
"They have a really good understanding of what's going on already. It's kind of crazy. It's just the little things like what Coach Gajewski expects of us. I don't even really notice who the freshmen are anymore, to be honest."
On how her transition to OSU last year compares to this year's newcomers:
"I don't think it would be much different from how I felt coming here last year. Last year, I felt like a freshman when I came in, so I have an idea of what they feel like, but they'll really start to find out what it's like when spring comes around."
Head Coach Kenny Gajewski
On the upcoming slate of games:
"Well this is a good week of fall ball for us. We've got a midweek game against Connors State and we'll go on the road for the first time to Arkansas, which will be good for this team and these newcomers. We'll travel and they'll see how that works, so I think it's a necessary item for us. It'll be a great test for us on both days with a doubleheader against Arkansas and a 10-inning game against Connors State."
On the value of playing on the road and in a doubleheader during the fall:
"I think the most important thing for these newcomers is just learning how we travel. This is obviously a bus trip this week, so just knowing what time the bus shows up. We have plane trips to, and that's a little bit different, but we want them to understand how to order their bus meal and what they want for their postgame meal. There's a lot that goes into it. They don't just show up and things work out. It puts them in the position of having to get that stuff done. Going on the road and playing a really good opponent gets us out of our comfort zone and I think we learn a lot about these kids when they're out of their comfort zone. It's a really important week for us in the sense that when springtime comes and the games really count, they've already done this at least once."
On where the team is at through three weeks of fall play:
"I like this team. I've told them this numerous times, but I like the way they go about their business. Our work each day has been really good and they continue to excite me and they're showing us new things. Those are signs of a good team. This competition that we have is pulling a lot out of these kids - some that we want to see and some that we don't want to see - but we've learned about the newcomers and our returners so far. They've shown us that we have a chance to be very offensive. We're pitching maybe a little better than I might've thought or hoped and defensively I thought it would be our strong suit and it continues to be that for sure."
Junior Madi Sue Montgomery
On how the fall has gone so far:
"I think it has gone really well. It's good to see all of the freshman and newcomers playing and it's good to be all together. Its just been a lot of fun being out there and playing together with everyone."
On the relationship between the freshman and upperclassmen:
"I think we've tried really hard to help them, but also to not overcoach them at the same time. We just try to help them when we know they need help, like if it's something they haven't heard before and they're like "can you help me out?" but other than that we try to not overdo it too much."
On what she's working on this fall:
"Right now, I want to get back my hitting and so I'm focusing on that. Last year after knee surgery, I didn't do as well as I wanted to so that's my focus right now. It's nice to be back out there though and it's a lot better than just sitting out there watching the entire game."
Senior Rylee Bayless
On where the team is at through three weeks of fall action:
"I think we're at a pretty good spot for where we're at and it being the fall. We're still building up to where we want to be in the spring, but it's awesome to see all of our new faces balling out there on the field and getting playing time."
On transitioning to the outfield:
"It's a grind. I never knew how much went into outfield work until I moved out there. I thought it was just catching ball, but that's not the case. I've been coming here early most days before practice and games and working with my coaches to try and get a good feel of what's going on out there."
On the newcomers to the team:
"They have a really good understanding of what's going on already. It's kind of crazy. It's just the little things like what Coach Gajewski expects of us. I don't even really notice who the freshmen are anymore, to be honest."
On how her transition to OSU last year compares to this year's newcomers:
"I don't think it would be much different from how I felt coming here last year. Last year, I felt like a freshman when I came in, so I have an idea of what they feel like, but they'll really start to find out what it's like when spring comes around."
Players Mentioned
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