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Notes: Cowgirls Making Eighth Appearance in WCWS
May 28, 2019 | Cowgirl Softball
PDF Notes - WCWS
STILLWATER – The Oklahoma State softball team embarks on its first trip to the Women's College World Series since 2011 this week after the Cowgirls swept their way through the Stillwater Regional and then took two of three from the defending champions, No. 4 Florida State, during the Tallahassee Super Regional last week. It is OSU's eighth appearance all-time in the World Series, which is tied for the 12th most in NCAA history.
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 10 top-15 wins and earning victory 22 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 now made it back to OKC.
Since that loss to UT Arlington on April 3, the Pokes have won 17 of 21, falling only to the nation's top-ranked team, Oklahoma, and at No. 4 Florida State in that time. This year's team is the first to advance to the Women's College World Series since 2011, and it's a group that is smashing offensive records and pitching well enough to be in contention at the very end.
With only eight teams remaining, the Pokes have a chance to take the country by storm and reclaim their place at the summit of collegiate softball this week.
Notable Streaks and Trends
:: OSU is 49-29 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 38 of the Cowgirls' 59 games.
:: Oklahoma State is 15-0 in 2019 when Rylee Bayless logs multiple hits as the Cowgirls' leadoff batter.
:: Rylee Bayless has drawn 47 walks in 59 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 241 consecutive games, never missing one during her OSU career.
:: Kiley Naomi has reached base safely in 47 of 59 games so far this season.
:: Samantha Show has logged a hit in 43 of 59 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 24 of her 30 starts this year.
:: Logan Simunek has starred against the best competition, allowing just 11 earned runs in 38 innings against top-10 ranked opposition since the start of the 2018 season.
