Oklahoma State University Athletics
Gajewski, Cowgirls Discuss Upcoming Season at Media Day
January 27, 2020 | Cowgirl Softball
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State softball head coach Kenny Gajewski and select Cowgirls met with members of the media as part of the team's annual media day. Here's some of what they had to say:
Head Coach Kenny Gajewski
Opening statement:
"We are starting to hit a groove. I feel like we've had our best week of practice and I'm anxious to get started. We have been a little banged up coming back from break, but we're at a point now where we're healthy. We've had two good days of inter-squad practice. We have a lot of kids back and also a lot of newcomers. Blending this group together has been the biggest challenge."
On team chemistry:
"This team has grown closer. For each team we've had, I'm guilty of trying to force that, but I've learned I have to just let it happen. I may be able to give them some good thoughts, but it's their deal and not my deal. I've really seen this team come together. This team can be as good as they want to be. It's in their hands now. Who and what do they want to be? We will see where it goes."
On the impact of last season:
"Last year was a great year for this program. It's not a first for this school. People around here, this is what they expect and this is what I expect. There isn't a lot of jumping up and down or screaming about the fact that we made it. We want business as usual and not getting caught up in all that. We put up a new year on our World Series wall, which is cool to see. It was a great year and should help us, but this is a new year and this team is not owed anything. Last year is completely done with. We have expectations outside of Stillwater. We have been pre-season ranked before, but not this high in polls. Polls don't mean anything, but it is perception. Last year got us back on track of where I expect to be, and we should be in that mix each year."
On the big picture:
"We don't have t-shirts with our 2019 World Series on it. This team is good enough to be back there and make a real run. We got our feet wet and won a game. I expect us to win games there. This team is good enough to do that with this pitching staff. We have hitters to get us there too. We're not going to live on it. With Carrie Eberle being the ACC pitcher of the year, and Alysen Febrey who has hit close to .400 in the SEC. We have experience and great young kids. Once Karli Petty gets going, she is probably the best player on this team talent-wise. It has been hard to get them to gel fast, but we are here now. I've felt it since the break."
Carrie Eberle
On playing at OSU:
"Coach [John Bargfeldt] has been great. He is very even-keel kind of guy. He will help you out when you go to him but he would prefer to have you solve your own problems. It's nice to have a different perspective on pitch calling. One of the biggest thing we've worked on is making sure I'm changing speed. It's really important to play in a culture where everyone has mutual respect for one another."
Alysen Febrey
On adjusting to playing for Coach Gajewski at OSU:
"Coach G has a very different style than the other coaches I've played for at Georgia. Adjusting to that has been the biggest challenge. Being a left-handed player at first base, a vital position in the infield, enables me to have more range."
Sydney Pennington
On the team chemistry:
"I think we look really good. As of lately, we've together so been spending more time. We've definitely had a better chemistry, which you can definitely see out on the field. We had a team meeting a couple weeks ago and we agreed that we needed to do some more stuff as a team. I think that has really helped us. I think we could play tomorrow and be ready. I think that shows how good our chemistry has been lately.
Logan Simunek
On the pitching coach change:
"It's a night and day difference. Coach Jeff Cottrill was a great guy and pitching coach, he helped out a ton. Coach John Bargfeldt has been a pitcher himself, he's played men's fastpitch so he just knows so much more and has a lot of experience with coaching pitchers. He brings a bunch to the table. We now have arm strengthening, combos and other new exercises that help improve our strength and accuracy. Having him has helped me get stronger and has helped me pinpoint my pitches more too."
Taylor Tuck
On the season outlook:
"This year has been going really good so far. I'm doing everything I can to better what my skills and to keep learning. Being hurt right now sucks but I think it's going to help me a lot with my mental game. I just want to play. It doesn't matter what position they put me in; I just want to play."
Karli Petty
On being named the starting second baseman:
"It's a lot of pressure because I have never played at this level. I don't have the experience that others do. It's a lot of pressure but I know I just have to be myself. Madi Sue Montgomery has been a great asset to me. She has literally taught me how to play at second base, a position that I've never done before. She has put me under her wing and has helped me out a lot."
To secure your spot at Cowgirl Stadium this spring, visit okstate.com/tickets or call the OSU Athletics Ticket Office at 877-ALL-4-OSU.
Head Coach Kenny Gajewski
Opening statement:
"We are starting to hit a groove. I feel like we've had our best week of practice and I'm anxious to get started. We have been a little banged up coming back from break, but we're at a point now where we're healthy. We've had two good days of inter-squad practice. We have a lot of kids back and also a lot of newcomers. Blending this group together has been the biggest challenge."
On team chemistry:
"This team has grown closer. For each team we've had, I'm guilty of trying to force that, but I've learned I have to just let it happen. I may be able to give them some good thoughts, but it's their deal and not my deal. I've really seen this team come together. This team can be as good as they want to be. It's in their hands now. Who and what do they want to be? We will see where it goes."
On the impact of last season:
"Last year was a great year for this program. It's not a first for this school. People around here, this is what they expect and this is what I expect. There isn't a lot of jumping up and down or screaming about the fact that we made it. We want business as usual and not getting caught up in all that. We put up a new year on our World Series wall, which is cool to see. It was a great year and should help us, but this is a new year and this team is not owed anything. Last year is completely done with. We have expectations outside of Stillwater. We have been pre-season ranked before, but not this high in polls. Polls don't mean anything, but it is perception. Last year got us back on track of where I expect to be, and we should be in that mix each year."
On the big picture:
"We don't have t-shirts with our 2019 World Series on it. This team is good enough to be back there and make a real run. We got our feet wet and won a game. I expect us to win games there. This team is good enough to do that with this pitching staff. We have hitters to get us there too. We're not going to live on it. With Carrie Eberle being the ACC pitcher of the year, and Alysen Febrey who has hit close to .400 in the SEC. We have experience and great young kids. Once Karli Petty gets going, she is probably the best player on this team talent-wise. It has been hard to get them to gel fast, but we are here now. I've felt it since the break."
Carrie Eberle
On playing at OSU:
"Coach [John Bargfeldt] has been great. He is very even-keel kind of guy. He will help you out when you go to him but he would prefer to have you solve your own problems. It's nice to have a different perspective on pitch calling. One of the biggest thing we've worked on is making sure I'm changing speed. It's really important to play in a culture where everyone has mutual respect for one another."
Alysen Febrey
On adjusting to playing for Coach Gajewski at OSU:
"Coach G has a very different style than the other coaches I've played for at Georgia. Adjusting to that has been the biggest challenge. Being a left-handed player at first base, a vital position in the infield, enables me to have more range."
Sydney Pennington
On the team chemistry:
"I think we look really good. As of lately, we've together so been spending more time. We've definitely had a better chemistry, which you can definitely see out on the field. We had a team meeting a couple weeks ago and we agreed that we needed to do some more stuff as a team. I think that has really helped us. I think we could play tomorrow and be ready. I think that shows how good our chemistry has been lately.
Logan Simunek
On the pitching coach change:
"It's a night and day difference. Coach Jeff Cottrill was a great guy and pitching coach, he helped out a ton. Coach John Bargfeldt has been a pitcher himself, he's played men's fastpitch so he just knows so much more and has a lot of experience with coaching pitchers. He brings a bunch to the table. We now have arm strengthening, combos and other new exercises that help improve our strength and accuracy. Having him has helped me get stronger and has helped me pinpoint my pitches more too."
Taylor Tuck
On the season outlook:
"This year has been going really good so far. I'm doing everything I can to better what my skills and to keep learning. Being hurt right now sucks but I think it's going to help me a lot with my mental game. I just want to play. It doesn't matter what position they put me in; I just want to play."
Karli Petty
On being named the starting second baseman:
"It's a lot of pressure because I have never played at this level. I don't have the experience that others do. It's a lot of pressure but I know I just have to be myself. Madi Sue Montgomery has been a great asset to me. She has literally taught me how to play at second base, a position that I've never done before. She has put me under her wing and has helped me out a lot."
To secure your spot at Cowgirl Stadium this spring, visit okstate.com/tickets or call the OSU Athletics Ticket Office at 877-ALL-4-OSU.
Players Mentioned
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