Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirls Prepare for First Home Tournament
February 26, 2020 | Cowgirl Softball
Full Tournament Notes
The Cowgirls host the first home tournament of the year this weekend. A total of six teams are participating in the joint invitational hosted by OSU and Tulsa. The No. 15/14 Cowgirls will take on University of Illinois Chicago, Louisville, No. 10/10 Oregon and Drake.
The Basics
    The Oklahoma State softball team opened its 2020 season at the Tiger Classic in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Cowgirls faced off against No. 11 LSU and Florida A&M twice each in the tournament. The 2020 squad finished the tournament with an even 2-2 record that was highlighted by a 21-0 shutout victory over the Rattlers. The Cowgirls traveled to St. Pete Clearwater Elite Invitational next and wrapped up the prestigious tournament with an impressive 4-1 record and wins over No. 13 Minnesota and No. 9 Alabama.Â
In the Rankings
    Oklahoma State was ranked No. 14 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 and No. 15 in the NFCA Coaches Poll. After been selected as No. 13 in both preseason polls, the Cowgirls fell a couple of spots in the first rankings to No. 16 after a 2-2 opening weekend but bounced to No. 14 after week two.Â
Oklahoma State From a Distance
    Cowgirl softball reclaimed its seat as one of the best programs in 2019 by advancing to the program's first Women's College World Series since 2011. Gajewski has assembled a roster of 23 star student-athletes that can go toe-to-toe with any team in the country on any given field and on any given night. With the departure of several key players at the end of the magical 2019 seasons, the returners and the newcomers spent the Fall Ball season gelling and becoming together as a team. This season, Coach Gajewski returns 14 players and gained six freshmen while introducing three transfers to the 2020 squad.
   Returners like junior Sydney Pennington and Michaela Richbourg will have all eyes on them as they lead the team. If the duo can replicate the success they had at the plate and the leadership they demonstrated last year, the Cowgirls will be in good shape both on and off the field in 2020.Â
   Coach Gajewski recruited well again through the transfer portal during the offseason. After OSU fans caught a glimpse of just how transfer players can change the dynamic of a team, the Cowgirls landed senior transfers Carrie Eberle and Alysen Febrey, along with junior transfer Hayley Busby for the 2020 season. All three returners are seasoned veterans with numerous accolades to show for.Â
   With several skilled newcomers, a youthful freshman class and a welcoming group of returning Cowgirls; this team has the talent and drive to propel this team deeper into the postseason than any Cowgirl team that stood before them.Â
Notable Streaks and Trends
The Cowgirls host the first home tournament of the year this weekend. A total of six teams are participating in the joint invitational hosted by OSU and Tulsa. The No. 15/14 Cowgirls will take on University of Illinois Chicago, Louisville, No. 10/10 Oregon and Drake.
The Basics
    The Oklahoma State softball team opened its 2020 season at the Tiger Classic in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Cowgirls faced off against No. 11 LSU and Florida A&M twice each in the tournament. The 2020 squad finished the tournament with an even 2-2 record that was highlighted by a 21-0 shutout victory over the Rattlers. The Cowgirls traveled to St. Pete Clearwater Elite Invitational next and wrapped up the prestigious tournament with an impressive 4-1 record and wins over No. 13 Minnesota and No. 9 Alabama.Â
In the Rankings
    Oklahoma State was ranked No. 14 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 and No. 15 in the NFCA Coaches Poll. After been selected as No. 13 in both preseason polls, the Cowgirls fell a couple of spots in the first rankings to No. 16 after a 2-2 opening weekend but bounced to No. 14 after week two.Â
Oklahoma State From a Distance
    Cowgirl softball reclaimed its seat as one of the best programs in 2019 by advancing to the program's first Women's College World Series since 2011. Gajewski has assembled a roster of 23 star student-athletes that can go toe-to-toe with any team in the country on any given field and on any given night. With the departure of several key players at the end of the magical 2019 seasons, the returners and the newcomers spent the Fall Ball season gelling and becoming together as a team. This season, Coach Gajewski returns 14 players and gained six freshmen while introducing three transfers to the 2020 squad.
   Returners like junior Sydney Pennington and Michaela Richbourg will have all eyes on them as they lead the team. If the duo can replicate the success they had at the plate and the leadership they demonstrated last year, the Cowgirls will be in good shape both on and off the field in 2020.Â
   Coach Gajewski recruited well again through the transfer portal during the offseason. After OSU fans caught a glimpse of just how transfer players can change the dynamic of a team, the Cowgirls landed senior transfers Carrie Eberle and Alysen Febrey, along with junior transfer Hayley Busby for the 2020 season. All three returners are seasoned veterans with numerous accolades to show for.Â
   With several skilled newcomers, a youthful freshman class and a welcoming group of returning Cowgirls; this team has the talent and drive to propel this team deeper into the postseason than any Cowgirl team that stood before them.Â
Notable Streaks and Trends
- This marks the first contest ever between Oregon and Oklahoma State in Stillwater.
- Oklahoma State holds a winning record against all four other participating schoolsÂ
- Coach Gajewski has never coached against UIC or Louisville during his five year tenure
- Eberle has not surrendered an earned run in 32 consecutive innings.
- Alysen Febrey has reached base a team-leading 10 straight games.
- The matchup against No. 10 Oregon marks the fourth match against a top-10 team in the early season for the Cowgirls.
- Three Cowgirls in Naomi, Febrey and Sydney Pennington currently tie for the home run lead with three each.
- Freshman Karli Petty currently leads the team in hit by pitches
- Only one Cowgirl stolen base attempt has been unsuccessful (7-8)
- The Cowgirls only have one loss on the season with the margins being more than one run.
Players Mentioned
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IF/OF
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