Cowgirls Take Two in Sunshine State

Saturday, February 17

Clearwater, FL

9 A.M. CT

Oklahoma State University

6-2

Missouri

4-4

Missouri

Oklahoma State

Photo by: Charles Taylor

February 17, 2018 | Cowgirl Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

PDF Box Score - vs. MIZZ
PDF Box Score - vs. USF
Updated Season Stats

CLEARWATER, Fla. – The Oklahoma State softball team extended its winning streak to three, as the Cowgirls bested Missouri, 3-2, and South Florida, 9-5, on Saturday at the Michele Smith Pediatric Cancer Foundation Invitational.

"It was a big day against two quality teams," head coach Kenny Gajewski said. "First up, we played a very good Missouri team out of the SEC. I thought we pitched well and had some timely hitting. (Sydney) Pennington had another nice game. I just thought all-around it was a very well-played softball game and it propelled us into the next game against USF."

OSU (7-2) launched two home runs Saturday, bringing the Cowgirls to a Big 12-best 16 so far this season. Both of the home runs came in Oklahoma State's win over USF.

Vanessa Shippy was responsible for the first one, as she led off the contest with a solo shot over the wall in right center. Shippy added a double and two singles, as well as a walk, to finish the day 4-for-4 against the Bulls.

Shippy is batting .640 so far in 2018, racking up 16 hits in 25 at-bats. She has also hit three home runs, drawn eight walks and scored 15 runs.

Oklahoma State's other home run came in the second inning when Whitney Whitehorn lasered a three-run shot over the left-field wall. It was Whitehorn's first career collegiate home run and gave the Cowgirls a 4-0 lead.

The Pokes racked up five more runs in the top of the sixth inning to open up a 9-0 lead, but the Bulls responded with five of their own in the home half of the frame to keep it interesting. Logan Simunek again proved vital in her relief role, as she came on and shut down USF in the seventh to secure the win.

"I'm going to put a little bit of our struggles on our coaching staff - and that's on me," Gajewski said. "We didn't have anyone up in the second game and Samantha (Clakley) was going so well that I didn't think we needed anybody up. She just hit a wall and when I turned to look and see who was up, we didn't have anybody up. That's on me. We'll get better at that.

"It's early and I forget that these kids are going to run into a wall from time to time and run out of gas. It's hot out here and humid, but she was really good out here today. We put up a lot of zeroes and the more we do that, the better that this team will be."

Prior to OSU's win over USF, the Cowgirls bested former Big 12 rival Missouri for the second time in eight days.

Vanessa Shippy was again the anchor of some first-inning offense for OSU, as she walked to leadoff the game and then was brought home by Madi Sue Montgomery's single back up the middle. OSU has scored in the first inning in six of its nine games so far this season, and the Cowgirls are 6-0 when scoring at least one run in the first inning so far this season.

"Any time you can score first, it puts pressure on the other team and we've been able to do that a bunch," Gajewski said. "With different people in different roles, I've been very happy with the people stepping up. Obviously, Shippy is starting this year on a roll and starting that second game off with a home run - there's nothing better and that's why I love her and (Rylee) Bayless at the top of the lineup. They both have the ability to leave the yard."

Like Shippy, Sydney Pennington continued her impressive early-season form by driving in two runs on a double to right field against the Tigers.

Pennington's double gave the Cowgirls a 3-0 lead and marked her 13th and 14th runs batted in so far this season. After Saturday, the Sand Springs, Oklahoma, native is batting .424 (14-33) with three home runs and two doubles.

She was unable to drive in any runs against USF in the nightcap, ending her streak of seven consecutive games with at least one RBI.

In the circle against Missouri, Emmie Robertson kept the Tigers tamed for the better part of six innings. Logan Simunek came in to finish things off, as she earned the save and Robertson improved to 3-0 on the year.

The Cowgirls will wrap up their weekend at the Michele Smith Invitational tomorrow morning against Oakland. First pitch is currently scheduled for 8 a.m. CT.

For more information on the Cowgirls and their trip to the Michele Smith Invitational, follow the team on Twitter (@CowgirlSB), Facebook (Cowgirl Softball) and Instagram (osusoftball).