Oklahoma State University Athletics
2023 Oklahoma State Softball Position Preview - Pitchers
January 30, 2023 | Cowgirl Softball
Fresh off a third-consecutive trip to the NCAA Women's College World Series, Oklahoma State has reestablished itself among the nation's elite softball programs. As the 2023 Cowgirls prepare for their chance to play on the sport's biggest stage, check back in regularly at okstate.com for a breakdown of the OSU roster by position group. Up next, the pitchers:
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Dominant is a suitable descriptor to describe Kelly Maxwell. The reigning Co-Big 12 Pitcher of the Year and unanimous first team All-American, Maxwell has collected a host of preseason honors after her first season as the Cowgirls' ace in 2022. She ranks No.2 and No. 3 in D1 Softball's preseason top 100 and Extra Innings 2023 Extra Elite 100, respectively. A year ago, she posted a 1.22 ERA and tallied an astonishing 313 strikeouts, which made her just one of three OSU pitchers to amass 300 or more in a single season. For her career, Maxwell boasts 10.28 career strikeouts per seven innings, which ranks first in program history. What's more: Maxwell represented the United States among the best collegiate softball players in the country at the 2022 Japan All-Star Series this summer. Suffice to say, Maxwell's second season as the anchor of the OSU pitching staff should be as special as her first.
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A unique addition to the OSU pitching staff is Alabama-transfer Lexi Kilfoyl. After playing her first three years with the Crimson Tide, Kilfoyl joined head coach Kenny Gajewski and the Cowgirls this summer with two years of eligibility remaining. Last season, she made 18 pitching appearances, including 13 starts, and maintained a 2.36 ERA. Not only is she a threat from the circle, but she's proven to be a capable hitter at the DI level. She earned a handful of starts as the Cowgirls' designated player throughout the 2022 fall season. It's a part of her game that is still improving, and after the success of two-way star Miranda Elish last season, Gajewski and his staff have proven they know how to get the best out of their dual-threat athletes.
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Another important piece of the Cowgirls' pitching rotation is former Virginia Tech hurler Ivy Rosenberry. The junior from Winchester, Va., tallied 19 innings pitched in 11 pitching appearances in 2022; she posted her first career no-hitter against Longwood on March 22. Rosenberry is primed to see significant work this spring under the guidance of OSU pitching coach John Bargfeldt.
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Freshman Kyra Aycock could quickly become a star in America's Brightest Orange this season. The 10th ranked pitcher in her class, according to Extra Innings Softball's Extra Elite 100, Aycock has already shown glimpses of her promise in the fall exhibition season after a stellar high school career. The Newnan, Ga., native graduated from Northgate High School, where she boasted a 0.60 ERA her senior season. Aycock, in just her first collegiate season, could prove that she has what it takes to excel at a high level this spring.
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The Oklahoma State staff also has young talent out of the bullpen in sophomores Tatum Clopton, Kathryn Ogg and Bailie Runner.
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Oklahoma State will field another well-rounded pitching staff in 2023. Anchored by returning All-American Kelly Maxwell, add in a unique combination of transfers and young talent, OSU has the potential to once again be a force to be reckoned with from the circle.
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Dominant is a suitable descriptor to describe Kelly Maxwell. The reigning Co-Big 12 Pitcher of the Year and unanimous first team All-American, Maxwell has collected a host of preseason honors after her first season as the Cowgirls' ace in 2022. She ranks No.2 and No. 3 in D1 Softball's preseason top 100 and Extra Innings 2023 Extra Elite 100, respectively. A year ago, she posted a 1.22 ERA and tallied an astonishing 313 strikeouts, which made her just one of three OSU pitchers to amass 300 or more in a single season. For her career, Maxwell boasts 10.28 career strikeouts per seven innings, which ranks first in program history. What's more: Maxwell represented the United States among the best collegiate softball players in the country at the 2022 Japan All-Star Series this summer. Suffice to say, Maxwell's second season as the anchor of the OSU pitching staff should be as special as her first.
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A unique addition to the OSU pitching staff is Alabama-transfer Lexi Kilfoyl. After playing her first three years with the Crimson Tide, Kilfoyl joined head coach Kenny Gajewski and the Cowgirls this summer with two years of eligibility remaining. Last season, she made 18 pitching appearances, including 13 starts, and maintained a 2.36 ERA. Not only is she a threat from the circle, but she's proven to be a capable hitter at the DI level. She earned a handful of starts as the Cowgirls' designated player throughout the 2022 fall season. It's a part of her game that is still improving, and after the success of two-way star Miranda Elish last season, Gajewski and his staff have proven they know how to get the best out of their dual-threat athletes.
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Another important piece of the Cowgirls' pitching rotation is former Virginia Tech hurler Ivy Rosenberry. The junior from Winchester, Va., tallied 19 innings pitched in 11 pitching appearances in 2022; she posted her first career no-hitter against Longwood on March 22. Rosenberry is primed to see significant work this spring under the guidance of OSU pitching coach John Bargfeldt.
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Freshman Kyra Aycock could quickly become a star in America's Brightest Orange this season. The 10th ranked pitcher in her class, according to Extra Innings Softball's Extra Elite 100, Aycock has already shown glimpses of her promise in the fall exhibition season after a stellar high school career. The Newnan, Ga., native graduated from Northgate High School, where she boasted a 0.60 ERA her senior season. Aycock, in just her first collegiate season, could prove that she has what it takes to excel at a high level this spring.
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The Oklahoma State staff also has young talent out of the bullpen in sophomores Tatum Clopton, Kathryn Ogg and Bailie Runner.
Â
Oklahoma State will field another well-rounded pitching staff in 2023. Anchored by returning All-American Kelly Maxwell, add in a unique combination of transfers and young talent, OSU has the potential to once again be a force to be reckoned with from the circle.
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Players Mentioned
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