Oklahoma State University Athletics
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Florida State
Notes: Cowgirls Set For Sunshine State Super Regional
May 21, 2019 | Cowgirl Softball
PDF Notes - Florida State // Super Regionals
STILLWATER – The Oklahoma State softball team is set to compete in super regionals for the first time since 2011 this week, as they hit the road for a best-of-three series against the defending national champions and No. 4 overall seed, Florida State. The winner of the Tallahassee Super Regional will punch their ticket as one of the eight teams to compete in the Women's College World Series next week.
In the Rankings
Oklahoma State is ranked in both national polls this week, as the Cowgirls sit at No. 13 in the USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll and at No. 12 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25. The Cowgirls have been ranked in at least one of the national polls in 26 of the last 28 weeks, peaking as high as No. 12 to post the program's highest standing since finishing the 2011 season at No. 8.
Oklahoma State From a Distance
The 2019 Oklahoma State softball team has lived on both ends of the spectrum so far in 2019. There have been numerous wins over elite programs from across the country, but also a number of disappointing losses to sides that have struggled this year.
It has been an enigmatic group at times for fourth-year head coach Kenny Gajewski, but in recent weeks the Cowgirls have begun to fulfill the talent and promise that he knew they possessed all along.
Throughout fall camp, winter workouts and the first half of this season, the Cowgirls have fought to break through the glass ceiling of sorts and bring the program back into the national spotlight. They've done that on several occasions, picking up eight top-15 wins and earning victory 20 times over a team that was either ranked or receiving votes in one of the national polls.
There have been disappointing defeats as well, such as a pair of 2-1 losses to Colorado State and UT Arlington. These moments have been gut checks for a program that has its eyes on Oklahoma City.
Since that loss to UT Arlington on April 3, the Pokes have won 15 of 18, falling only to the nation's top-ranked team, Oklahoma, in that time. This year's team is the first to advance to earn a super-regional berth since 2011, and it's a group that is smashing offensive records and pitching well enough to be in contention for a spot in OKC. But the Cowgirls still have one more ceiling to burst through, as they look to tackle the defending national champs in the Sunshine State this weekend.
With only 16 teams remaining, the Pokes have a chance to take the country by storm and reclaim their place at the summit of collegiate softball.
Notable Streaks and Trends
:: OSU is 47-29 in games decided by two runs or less since the start of the 2016 season.
:: OSU is unbeaten (32-0) in 2019 when scoring five runs or more in a game.
:: Oklahoma State is 22-1 this season when hitting two or more home runs in a game.
:: Oklahoma State starting pitchers have gone at least five innings in 37 of the Cowgirls' 56 games.
:: Oklahoma State is 13-0 in 2019 when Rylee Bayless logs multiple hits as the Cowgirls' leadoff batter.
:: Rylee Bayless has drawn 47 walks in 56 games to lead the Big 12 in walks and walks per game.
:: Samantha Clakley has allowed more than three earned runs only four times in 26 appearances this year.
:: Samantha Clakley has walked more than two batters only seven times in her last 54 appearances.
:: Madi Sue Montgomery has started 238 consecutive games, never missing one during her OSU career.
:: Kiley Naomi has reached base safely in 46 of 56 games so far this season.
:: Samantha Show has logged a hit in 41 of 56 games this season and posted 11 multi-hit outings.
:: Samantha Show has hit 12 home runs this season when OSU was either tied or trailing, with nine of those being game-tying or go-ahead efforts for OSU.
:: Samantha Show has pitched at least five innings in 23 of her 27 starts this year.
:: Logan Simunek has starred against the best competition, allowing just 10 earned runs in 31.1 innings against top-10 ranked opposition since the start of the 2018 season.
