Oklahoma State University Athletics
Bases Loaded: Cowgirls Hosting First Regional Since 1998
May 13, 2019 | Cowgirl Softball
STILLWATER – The Oklahoma State softball team has had an incredible 2019 campaign thus far, but all of it has been building to this – the program's first NCAA Regional in Stillwater since 1998. With that on the table, we take a look back at the week that was, and what ahead during a huge week for the Pokes.
First Base: Battling Through the Big 12
The Cowgirls didn't get to finish off their weekend in Oklahoma City with a shot at the Big 12 championship due to inclement weather and poor field conditions last week, but Friday's pool play was a success for the Pokes.
During that day, OSU scored six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to rally and defeat No. 8 Texas, 6-2, for the third time this season. A couple of hours later, the Cowgirls came back to the field and hammered Iowa State, 17-2, in five innings to seal their place atop Pool B.
The offensive outpours were a welcome sight for coach Kenny Gajewski and his staff, as the Cowgirls rebuilt momentum from a tough Bedlam series and are again firing on all cylinders heading into the NCAA Tournament.
Second Base: Oklahoma State's Iron Woman
Madi Sue Montgomery has been at the heart of Oklahoma State's success as much as any player over the past four seasons, and now she has the numbers to prove it.
With two starts in last week's Phillips 66 Big 12 Softball Championship, the Burleson, Texas, native set the OSU records for most games played, most games started and most consecutive games started. She supplanted Vanessa Shippy (2015-18), whose 234 career contests previously held all three benchmarks.
Montgomery has also set other notable records, such as career runs batted in, most assists as a defender, and so forth. But her most valuable contribution has been her ability to stay on the field and serve as a calming presence and a leader during any tight spots the Pokes find themselves in.
The left-handed hitter's status as Oklahoma State's 'Iron Woman' is a testament to her drive and determination to be on the field every single day. She has battled a barrage of injuries, such as tearing her ACL in August of her sophomore year, but nothing has kept the Cowgirl off the dirt in her career.
Third Base: Seven-Dinger Delight
Oklahoma State's 2019 season has been a fiesta of fireworks for the Cowgirl offense, as the Pokes have battered balls and smashed some of the school's top offensive records. The Pokes have already set the school's single-season home run record - both as a team and individually - and now the 2019 squad can claim the program's single-game and single-inning records.
That record was set on May 10, as the Cowgirls torpedoed seven home runs during a 17-2 run-rule victory over Iowa State, five of which came in the second inning alone. OSU had previously never hit more than five home runs in a game, let alone an inning. It was an amazing display of power, and one that also saw Raquel Dominguez blast two home runs in that explosive second inning, making her the first Cowgirl on record to hit two or more home runs in the same inning.
Home Plate: Ready for Regionals
The Cowgirls are already buzzing about this weekend's NCAA Stillwater Regional.
It's the program's first crack at postseason softball in Stillwater since 2011 – a super regional against Houston – but is OSU's first time hosting a regional since 1998. OSU has been selected as a regional host seven times previously, and advanced to the Women's College World Series on five of those occasions.
The Pokes are 14-4 all-time during NCAA Regional action in Stillwater, and the 2019 squad is eager to add its name to the list of notable teams to host tournament games in Payne County.
First Base: Battling Through the Big 12
The Cowgirls didn't get to finish off their weekend in Oklahoma City with a shot at the Big 12 championship due to inclement weather and poor field conditions last week, but Friday's pool play was a success for the Pokes.
During that day, OSU scored six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to rally and defeat No. 8 Texas, 6-2, for the third time this season. A couple of hours later, the Cowgirls came back to the field and hammered Iowa State, 17-2, in five innings to seal their place atop Pool B.
The offensive outpours were a welcome sight for coach Kenny Gajewski and his staff, as the Cowgirls rebuilt momentum from a tough Bedlam series and are again firing on all cylinders heading into the NCAA Tournament.
Second Base: Oklahoma State's Iron Woman
Madi Sue Montgomery has been at the heart of Oklahoma State's success as much as any player over the past four seasons, and now she has the numbers to prove it.
With two starts in last week's Phillips 66 Big 12 Softball Championship, the Burleson, Texas, native set the OSU records for most games played, most games started and most consecutive games started. She supplanted Vanessa Shippy (2015-18), whose 234 career contests previously held all three benchmarks.
Montgomery has also set other notable records, such as career runs batted in, most assists as a defender, and so forth. But her most valuable contribution has been her ability to stay on the field and serve as a calming presence and a leader during any tight spots the Pokes find themselves in.
The left-handed hitter's status as Oklahoma State's 'Iron Woman' is a testament to her drive and determination to be on the field every single day. She has battled a barrage of injuries, such as tearing her ACL in August of her sophomore year, but nothing has kept the Cowgirl off the dirt in her career.
Third Base: Seven-Dinger Delight
Oklahoma State's 2019 season has been a fiesta of fireworks for the Cowgirl offense, as the Pokes have battered balls and smashed some of the school's top offensive records. The Pokes have already set the school's single-season home run record - both as a team and individually - and now the 2019 squad can claim the program's single-game and single-inning records.
That record was set on May 10, as the Cowgirls torpedoed seven home runs during a 17-2 run-rule victory over Iowa State, five of which came in the second inning alone. OSU had previously never hit more than five home runs in a game, let alone an inning. It was an amazing display of power, and one that also saw Raquel Dominguez blast two home runs in that explosive second inning, making her the first Cowgirl on record to hit two or more home runs in the same inning.
Home Plate: Ready for Regionals
The Cowgirls are already buzzing about this weekend's NCAA Stillwater Regional.
It's the program's first crack at postseason softball in Stillwater since 2011 – a super regional against Houston – but is OSU's first time hosting a regional since 1998. OSU has been selected as a regional host seven times previously, and advanced to the Women's College World Series on five of those occasions.
The Pokes are 14-4 all-time during NCAA Regional action in Stillwater, and the 2019 squad is eager to add its name to the list of notable teams to host tournament games in Payne County.
Players Mentioned
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