Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowgirl Softball Adds Top-10 Recruit on National Signing Day
November 08, 2023 | Cowgirl Softball
STILLWATER – The Oklahoma State softball team signed Tara Vandewater, the No. 10-ranked prospect in the nation by Extra Inning Softball's Extra Elite 100, to its class of 2024 during the early signing period on Wednesday, head coach Kenny Gajewski announced.
Hailing from Winterset, Iowa, Vandewater joins the Cowgirls after playing four years of club softball for the Nebraska Gold under coaches Beth Singleton and Craig Boyer. She helped lead the team to a co-championship at the Tulsa Elite Summer Invite, as well as two third place finishes at the Easton Rawlings Invitational Showcase and the Top Club National Championship.
In addition to her top-10 ranking from Extra Innings Softball, Vandewater was also ranked in the top 50 for the class of 2024 by Legacy and Legends (No. 36), Softball America (No. 43) and Perfect Game Softball (No. 49).
During the 2022 season, the middle infielder/catcher boasted a .429 batting average with 15 home runs, tallying 55 hits (including 11 doubles) and 44 RBI while maintaining a .978 fielding percentage.
"The resources, school environment and location really solidified my choice," Vandewater said. "I don't think there's anything better than being a Cowgirl."
Vandewater has also played internationally for the Israel Women's National Team, where she helped lead her country to gold at the 2022 Maccabiah Games in Tel Aviv, Israel.
"We are thrilled to add Tara to Cowgirl Softball," Gajewski said. "She's a very athletic, versatile player that can play infield and catch. We look forward to watching her run around Cowgirl Stadium for a lot of years to come."
Hailing from Winterset, Iowa, Vandewater joins the Cowgirls after playing four years of club softball for the Nebraska Gold under coaches Beth Singleton and Craig Boyer. She helped lead the team to a co-championship at the Tulsa Elite Summer Invite, as well as two third place finishes at the Easton Rawlings Invitational Showcase and the Top Club National Championship.
In addition to her top-10 ranking from Extra Innings Softball, Vandewater was also ranked in the top 50 for the class of 2024 by Legacy and Legends (No. 36), Softball America (No. 43) and Perfect Game Softball (No. 49).
During the 2022 season, the middle infielder/catcher boasted a .429 batting average with 15 home runs, tallying 55 hits (including 11 doubles) and 44 RBI while maintaining a .978 fielding percentage.
"The resources, school environment and location really solidified my choice," Vandewater said. "I don't think there's anything better than being a Cowgirl."
Vandewater has also played internationally for the Israel Women's National Team, where she helped lead her country to gold at the 2022 Maccabiah Games in Tel Aviv, Israel.
"We are thrilled to add Tara to Cowgirl Softball," Gajewski said. "She's a very athletic, versatile player that can play infield and catch. We look forward to watching her run around Cowgirl Stadium for a lot of years to come."
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