Oklahoma State University Athletics
From the Woods to the Diamond
December 28, 2023 | Cowgirl Softball
STILLWATER — Growing up in rural Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina, much of Karli Godwin's childhood was spent outdoors.
Whether it was at the lake fishing or in the woods near her backyard hunting deer, as long as she was home before dark, she would be out there any time she could.
"I lived at a lake, so every summer I grew up swimming, jet skiing and tubing," Godwin said. "It was the country, so I grew up hunting, fishing, just being out in the woods, I think I started driving when I was nine or ten in the backroads back in there. Just that kind of stuff, I love it. I've killed probably about anything you can imagine."
Of course, she wasn't doing it alone. Her father, Bruno, was her go-to hunting partner. The pair formed a bond with their long hours in the outdoors, with Bruno helping her perfect her craft.
The duo even teamed up with some of Godwin's best friends and their fathers, and they would regularly go hunting as a group.
"All my best friends and their dads would go too, so we all grew up together," Godwin said. "The Hunting Club, that's what we called it. Just riding around, shooting deer and stuff. I want to say my first one was maybe when I was 10, but I had been going way before that."
Godwin was hooked. Countless memories were made with her father and The Hunting Club in those early mornings and long nights.
When she wasn't out in the woods, Godwin was involved with various sports and activities.
"I started off with dance, but I'm pretty sure everybody did," Godwin said. "I played basketball, soccer and volleyball through middle school and high school. There was no doubt softball was what I wanted to do, but I was just kind of doing them to keep in shape and have fun."
After hanging up her dancing shoes, she turned her full attention to softball and enjoyed resounding success.
Godwin batted .733 with 18 home runs and drove in 53 runs her junior season with East Columbus. She picked up Gatorade North Carolina Player of the Year honors the following year after batting .731 with 20 home runs, 86 RBI and only one strikeout in 131 at-bats.
A top-10 national recruit, Godwin had powerhouse programs vying for her commitment, but after just one visit to Oklahoma State, her decision was made.
"I wanted somewhere that was going to feel like home," Godwin said. "From the first time I came to a camp here and met everybody, met the players, watched a fall game, I was like 'Dad, this is where I want to be. If God will make it possible, this is where I'm going.' It's a long way from home, but this town feels a lot like home,
"I think that's the biggest thing and obviously, one of the best programs in the nation. Just being able to compete at the highest level, that's another thing."
After receiving the official offer from Cowgirls coach Kenny Gajewski, Godwin committed to her dream school as part of OSU's loaded class of 2023. She arrived in Stillwater early in the summer to a warm welcome from her teammates, as the returners routinely organized team get-togethers and hangouts.
"Over the summer I think is when that started, it was nice," Godwin said. "(The returning players) always invited us to their house. I think us being here in the summer really started that, but we're always (with them). The girls have all been so nice and welcoming to all of us."
Even though she's more than a thousand miles away from home, the transition has been smooth, thanks in part to the support of her teammates and coaches.
"The people that I'm always around, they make it so tight knit," Godwin said. "Everybody's so close and we're always together, so it gives that small town feel. It hasn't really been a big adjustment other than not being able to go in the woods every day like I used to."
Godwin was a regular starter during fall scrimmages and finished tied for second on the team in total bases.
"I had to learn a lot in a short amount of time and just realize that everything I did, didn't have to be perfect," she said. "Just to kind of realize that I was recruited to come here for a reason, to just stay true to who I am, not try to change it or do anything too crazy with any of my skills. I learned a lot and got some experience. Just playing out beside the girls was cool."
One of her personal highlights of the fall came when she blasted a home run against Seminole State.
"It was really cool," Godwin said. "I can always kind of feel when I'm going to hit one, so that day I was like, 'I feel like it's going to come.' Of course, it was the only game that one of my parents weren't at, but it was also cool because Rosie (Davis) hit one a few innings later. So, just the fact that we both hit our first one in the same game and we're so close, it was really cool."
Even though they weren't at that game, the Godwin family tries to make it out to every game they can. From long hours in the woods to long hours on the diamond, Godwin's family has been there through it all.
"My family, as much I argue with them and they drive me crazy, I wouldn't be here without them," Godwin said. "They always pushed me to keep going no matter how hard it is. There are times where it sucks, but you just have to push through, and you realize it's all worth it in the end. My little sister has always kind of looked up to me and it's just about being a good role model for her."
With her family's support and 23 new best friends beside her, Godwin has found a home in Stillwater. With the spring season ahead, she's focused on more than just capturing OSU's fifth-straight Women's College World Series appearance, she's looking at the bigger picture.
"Definitely hit a few home runs," Godwin said. "I think the main thing is, everybody's time playing softball comes to an end. So, I want to make the best out of my four years, and I want to come here and be a leader, be somebody that the team can count on, and the coaches can count on. If I do what I'm supposed to do and be that person that anybody could come to, I think it'll all work out."
Whether it was at the lake fishing or in the woods near her backyard hunting deer, as long as she was home before dark, she would be out there any time she could.
"I lived at a lake, so every summer I grew up swimming, jet skiing and tubing," Godwin said. "It was the country, so I grew up hunting, fishing, just being out in the woods, I think I started driving when I was nine or ten in the backroads back in there. Just that kind of stuff, I love it. I've killed probably about anything you can imagine."
Of course, she wasn't doing it alone. Her father, Bruno, was her go-to hunting partner. The pair formed a bond with their long hours in the outdoors, with Bruno helping her perfect her craft.
The duo even teamed up with some of Godwin's best friends and their fathers, and they would regularly go hunting as a group.
"All my best friends and their dads would go too, so we all grew up together," Godwin said. "The Hunting Club, that's what we called it. Just riding around, shooting deer and stuff. I want to say my first one was maybe when I was 10, but I had been going way before that."
Godwin was hooked. Countless memories were made with her father and The Hunting Club in those early mornings and long nights.
When she wasn't out in the woods, Godwin was involved with various sports and activities.
"I started off with dance, but I'm pretty sure everybody did," Godwin said. "I played basketball, soccer and volleyball through middle school and high school. There was no doubt softball was what I wanted to do, but I was just kind of doing them to keep in shape and have fun."
After hanging up her dancing shoes, she turned her full attention to softball and enjoyed resounding success.
Godwin batted .733 with 18 home runs and drove in 53 runs her junior season with East Columbus. She picked up Gatorade North Carolina Player of the Year honors the following year after batting .731 with 20 home runs, 86 RBI and only one strikeout in 131 at-bats.
A top-10 national recruit, Godwin had powerhouse programs vying for her commitment, but after just one visit to Oklahoma State, her decision was made.
"I wanted somewhere that was going to feel like home," Godwin said. "From the first time I came to a camp here and met everybody, met the players, watched a fall game, I was like 'Dad, this is where I want to be. If God will make it possible, this is where I'm going.' It's a long way from home, but this town feels a lot like home,
"I think that's the biggest thing and obviously, one of the best programs in the nation. Just being able to compete at the highest level, that's another thing."
After receiving the official offer from Cowgirls coach Kenny Gajewski, Godwin committed to her dream school as part of OSU's loaded class of 2023. She arrived in Stillwater early in the summer to a warm welcome from her teammates, as the returners routinely organized team get-togethers and hangouts.
"Over the summer I think is when that started, it was nice," Godwin said. "(The returning players) always invited us to their house. I think us being here in the summer really started that, but we're always (with them). The girls have all been so nice and welcoming to all of us."
Even though she's more than a thousand miles away from home, the transition has been smooth, thanks in part to the support of her teammates and coaches.
"The people that I'm always around, they make it so tight knit," Godwin said. "Everybody's so close and we're always together, so it gives that small town feel. It hasn't really been a big adjustment other than not being able to go in the woods every day like I used to."
Godwin was a regular starter during fall scrimmages and finished tied for second on the team in total bases.
"I had to learn a lot in a short amount of time and just realize that everything I did, didn't have to be perfect," she said. "Just to kind of realize that I was recruited to come here for a reason, to just stay true to who I am, not try to change it or do anything too crazy with any of my skills. I learned a lot and got some experience. Just playing out beside the girls was cool."
One of her personal highlights of the fall came when she blasted a home run against Seminole State.
"It was really cool," Godwin said. "I can always kind of feel when I'm going to hit one, so that day I was like, 'I feel like it's going to come.' Of course, it was the only game that one of my parents weren't at, but it was also cool because Rosie (Davis) hit one a few innings later. So, just the fact that we both hit our first one in the same game and we're so close, it was really cool."
Even though they weren't at that game, the Godwin family tries to make it out to every game they can. From long hours in the woods to long hours on the diamond, Godwin's family has been there through it all.
"My family, as much I argue with them and they drive me crazy, I wouldn't be here without them," Godwin said. "They always pushed me to keep going no matter how hard it is. There are times where it sucks, but you just have to push through, and you realize it's all worth it in the end. My little sister has always kind of looked up to me and it's just about being a good role model for her."
With her family's support and 23 new best friends beside her, Godwin has found a home in Stillwater. With the spring season ahead, she's focused on more than just capturing OSU's fifth-straight Women's College World Series appearance, she's looking at the bigger picture.
"Definitely hit a few home runs," Godwin said. "I think the main thing is, everybody's time playing softball comes to an end. So, I want to make the best out of my four years, and I want to come here and be a leader, be somebody that the team can count on, and the coaches can count on. If I do what I'm supposed to do and be that person that anybody could come to, I think it'll all work out."
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