Oklahoma State University Athletics
Friday, February 7
Baton Rouge, LA
6:00 PM
Oklahoma State University
at
LSU
Tournament Notes: Cowgirls Open 2020 Season at Tiger Classic
February 06, 2020 | Cowgirl Softball
Tournament Notes (PDF)
STILLWATER – The Oklahoma State softball team opens its 2020 season in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where fifth-year head coach Kenny Gajewski and the No. 13 Cowgirls will face No. 11 LSU and Florida A&M twice each in the Tiger Classic. Starting the season competing in the Tiger Classic is nothing new for the Cowgirls. OSU completed a five-game weekend to kickstart the season in both 2014 and 2017. The Cowgirls are coming off of a Women's College World Series appearance and a 45-17 campaign last year.
IN THE RANKINGS
Oklahoma State is ranked in both national preseason polls for the third-straight year, as the Cowgirls were slotted at No. 13 in both the USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll the ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 last week. Oklahoma State finished last season with its highest ranking in 21 years, as the Cowgirls were placed at No. 6 in both national polls.
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.
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.
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.
NOTABLE STREAKS AND TRENDS
-The 2020 Tiger Classic will be the third time in the past seven years that the Cowgirls have opened their season in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
-In OSU's past two times at the Tiger Classic, the Cowgirls posted an even 5-5 record.
-Nine of the ten Cowgirls' games at the Tiger Classics were decided by four runs or less; with five games decided by just one.
-The Cowgirls finished with a losing record in 2014 but improved to 3-2 in 2017.
-LSU leads the all-time record, 9-4, against OSU.
-The Cowgirls have never won against the Tigers in Baton Rouge; currently sitting at an 0-5 mark.
-OSU has only faced off against Florida A&M once, in 2001; the Cowgirls blew out Florida A&M with a 12-1 victory.
-The Cowgirls are aiming for a season-opener victory, which OSU has only achieved once under Coach Gajewski in the last four years.
-With both No. 13 OSU and No. 11 LSU ranked in NCAA preseason polls, this will be the first ime the Cowgirls have opened their season ranked and against a ranked opponent since 1995. The then-No. 11 Cowgirls defeated No. 12 Florida State 5-1 in the ASU Classic
STILLWATER – The Oklahoma State softball team opens its 2020 season in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where fifth-year head coach Kenny Gajewski and the No. 13 Cowgirls will face No. 11 LSU and Florida A&M twice each in the Tiger Classic. Starting the season competing in the Tiger Classic is nothing new for the Cowgirls. OSU completed a five-game weekend to kickstart the season in both 2014 and 2017. The Cowgirls are coming off of a Women's College World Series appearance and a 45-17 campaign last year.
IN THE RANKINGS
Oklahoma State is ranked in both national preseason polls for the third-straight year, as the Cowgirls were slotted at No. 13 in both the USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll the ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 last week. Oklahoma State finished last season with its highest ranking in 21 years, as the Cowgirls were placed at No. 6 in both national polls.
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.
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.
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.
NOTABLE STREAKS AND TRENDS
-The 2020 Tiger Classic will be the third time in the past seven years that the Cowgirls have opened their season in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
-In OSU's past two times at the Tiger Classic, the Cowgirls posted an even 5-5 record.
-Nine of the ten Cowgirls' games at the Tiger Classics were decided by four runs or less; with five games decided by just one.
-The Cowgirls finished with a losing record in 2014 but improved to 3-2 in 2017.
-LSU leads the all-time record, 9-4, against OSU.
-The Cowgirls have never won against the Tigers in Baton Rouge; currently sitting at an 0-5 mark.
-OSU has only faced off against Florida A&M once, in 2001; the Cowgirls blew out Florida A&M with a 12-1 victory.
-The Cowgirls are aiming for a season-opener victory, which OSU has only achieved once under Coach Gajewski in the last four years.
-With both No. 13 OSU and No. 11 LSU ranked in NCAA preseason polls, this will be the first ime the Cowgirls have opened their season ranked and against a ranked opponent since 1995. The then-No. 11 Cowgirls defeated No. 12 Florida State 5-1 in the ASU Classic
Players Mentioned
IF
/ Cowgirl Softball
P
/ Cowgirl Softball
IF
/ Cowgirl Softball
IF
/ Cowgirl Softball
IF/OF
/ Cowgirl SoftballTuesday, July 07
Tuesday, July 07
Friday, June 05
Friday, May 29
