Oklahoma State University Athletics
Photo by: OSU Athletics
Cowgirls Outpace Shockers in Fall Opener
September 27, 2018 | Cowgirl Softball
WICHITA, Kan. – The Oklahoma State softball team knocked off Wichita State, 9-7, Thursday at Wilkins Stadium to open its fall season with a victory.
"It was really fun to just play again," head coach Kenny Gajewski said. "We have so many new faces and to see them for the first time was really good. We saw a lot of great things from those kids, and from our returners as well.
"It was good to play a quality team and find out where we're at right away."
Senior Samantha Show, who is in her first year at OSU after transferring from Texas A&M, impressed in her first action as a two-way player under head coach Kenny Gajewski. Show went 1-for-3 at the plate with a fourth-inning solo home run to center that gave Oklahoma State its first lead of the day.
She also limited a potent Shocker offense as OSU's starting pitcher, tossing four innings of one-run ball and striking out three in the process.
Show was one of several newcomers to Gajewski's team that impressed in their first competitive action.
Oklahoma State also got some help from some returning stars, including senior Rylee Bayless, who notched an RBI single to push the Cowgirls' lead to 3-1 in the top of the fifth inning. Thursday's contest marked Bayless' first competitive action since tearing her ACL back in February.
"Being back on the field with my best friends was a whirlwind of emotions," Bayless said. "This team is very special and has the potential to do big things this year both for our school and our program. I wanted my performance to be better, but I realize it's just all a part of the process after sitting out a season.
"Overall, it was so satisfying to be back doing what I love most with the people I love most."
Elise LeBeouf busted the game open following Bayless' RBI single as she uncorked a three-run home run to straightaway center, giving Oklahoma State a 6-1 edge halfway through Thursday's matchup. LeBeouf continued her hot day at the plate with a one-out double in the seventh that cleared the center fielder's outstretched glove and scored freshman Chyenne Factor to make it a six-run game.
After Wichita State cut into the deficit with four runs across the next three frames, Sydney Pennington tacked on two more for the Pokes with a two-run blast in the 10th inning that bounced off the top of the scoreboard in left field.
Pennington hit seven home runs and tallied 43 RBI as a freshman last season, both of which rank among the top-three marks by freshmen in OSU softball history.
OSU will return to action next Wednesday, Oct. 3, when they host Northeastern State. First pitch at Cowgirl Stadium is set for 5:30 p.m.
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Oklahoma State softball hosts its 20th season of play at Cowgirl Stadium this spring, with the 2019 campaign set to begin in February and contests in Stillwater coming shortly thereafter. To renew or purchase your season tickets, visit okstate.com/tickets or call the OSU ticket office at 877-ALL-4 OSU.
"It was really fun to just play again," head coach Kenny Gajewski said. "We have so many new faces and to see them for the first time was really good. We saw a lot of great things from those kids, and from our returners as well.
"It was good to play a quality team and find out where we're at right away."
Senior Samantha Show, who is in her first year at OSU after transferring from Texas A&M, impressed in her first action as a two-way player under head coach Kenny Gajewski. Show went 1-for-3 at the plate with a fourth-inning solo home run to center that gave Oklahoma State its first lead of the day.
She also limited a potent Shocker offense as OSU's starting pitcher, tossing four innings of one-run ball and striking out three in the process.
Show was one of several newcomers to Gajewski's team that impressed in their first competitive action.
Oklahoma State also got some help from some returning stars, including senior Rylee Bayless, who notched an RBI single to push the Cowgirls' lead to 3-1 in the top of the fifth inning. Thursday's contest marked Bayless' first competitive action since tearing her ACL back in February.
"Being back on the field with my best friends was a whirlwind of emotions," Bayless said. "This team is very special and has the potential to do big things this year both for our school and our program. I wanted my performance to be better, but I realize it's just all a part of the process after sitting out a season.
"Overall, it was so satisfying to be back doing what I love most with the people I love most."
Elise LeBeouf busted the game open following Bayless' RBI single as she uncorked a three-run home run to straightaway center, giving Oklahoma State a 6-1 edge halfway through Thursday's matchup. LeBeouf continued her hot day at the plate with a one-out double in the seventh that cleared the center fielder's outstretched glove and scored freshman Chyenne Factor to make it a six-run game.
After Wichita State cut into the deficit with four runs across the next three frames, Sydney Pennington tacked on two more for the Pokes with a two-run blast in the 10th inning that bounced off the top of the scoreboard in left field.
Pennington hit seven home runs and tallied 43 RBI as a freshman last season, both of which rank among the top-three marks by freshmen in OSU softball history.
OSU will return to action next Wednesday, Oct. 3, when they host Northeastern State. First pitch at Cowgirl Stadium is set for 5:30 p.m.
----
Oklahoma State softball hosts its 20th season of play at Cowgirl Stadium this spring, with the 2019 campaign set to begin in February and contests in Stillwater coming shortly thereafter. To renew or purchase your season tickets, visit okstate.com/tickets or call the OSU ticket office at 877-ALL-4 OSU.
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