Oklahoma State World Series Opener Means Reunion for Febrey and Doggett
OKLAHOMA CITY – For Alysen Febrey it never could have been completely out of sight and out of mind. Febrey was just named a first-team All-American first baseman by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association on the eve of the start of the Women’s College World Series. Her teammates, also both transfers, pitcher Carrie Eberle was a second-team All-American and Hayley Busby was a third team All-American designated player. The difference going into tomorrow’s 1:30 p.m. opener at the newly expanded and double decked Softball Hall of Fame Stadium is Febrey’s first college home, Georgia is the opponent for Oklahoma State.
“I talked to Alysen three weeks back before we even knew we had a chance to play Georgia,” Cowgirls head coach Kenny Gajewski said during the College World Series Media Day on Wednesday. “We had a really good talk and she kind of mentioned that she wished she could have played her whole time here. I said, ‘no, you don’t. Don’t even go there. That shaped you. It’s kind of like me playing baseball at OU.’ I can’t change that and I don’t want to change that. Memories I had there as a national championship player, working there, I don’t want to change that.”
Febrey is not alone in her reunion as Jordan Doggett, who has more time as a Cowgirl transferred in last summer. She has played some this year, started early in the season but has been a defensive replacement or pinch-hitter the second half of the season. Febrey is one of the faces of the Cowgirls’ success hitting .409 with 18 home runs and 59 RBI.
In her two seasons, Febrey has made a lasting impression on her teammates both on the field and off. She is currently dating the Cowboys standout linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez, who like Febrey is heading into a super senior season next fall. Febrey has the reputation of being tough and a gritty competitor.
“Alysen is very different in the way she plays. She has definitely brought out a different side in me in the two years she has been here,” said team leader and third baseman Sydney Pennington. “She brings grit, she bring competitiveness, and overall, she is a competitive player that wants to win. I think she has changed the mentality of our team coming in last year.”
Febrey is obviously happy with her comment to her coach about wanting to have played her whole career at Oklahoma State. When she came in Febrey was vague in interviews but spoke of looking for something she couldn’t find playing and going to school in her home state of Georgia. She doesn’t talk about that anymore. Seemingly she has found it. Thursday she will find her former school and some of her former teammates in the opposite dugout.
“It’s a great story for all of you to talk about and once the first pitch is thrown I can assure you she won’t be looking over there at her former team,” Gajewski said. “She will be playing with here current team and that’s all the will mater when it is all said and done.”
How about her former team? Febrey is an first-team All-American. Georgia didn’t have a first-team All American, so will the Bulldogs be staring?
“Well, I’ve been rooting for them all season, but not tomorrow. I love them both,” said Georgia head coach Lu Harris-Champer. She added and almost kind of choked out a positive for the transfer portal. “I think it is really a good thing and if someone’s needs are not getting met, they should have that opportunity because you only get one go round.”
This will be great theater. Star transfer playing against former team on the biggest stage. You have to love it. It might be the best story until the possible becomes reality if No. 5-seed Oklahoma State and top-seed OU both win and set up Bedlam for day two at the Women’s College World Series.