Oklahoma State Advances With WCWS Opening Win 3-2 Over Georgia

OKLAHOMA CITY – So much for Big 12 or Bedlam unity as the Oklahoma State Cowgirls fans at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium were already sufficiently fired up before the Cowgirls game started as they had witnessed rival and top-seed in the Women’s College World Series Oklahoma fail to heed the upset alert and the Sooners were beaten in 8 innings by James Madison 4-3. While the fans may have found it entertaining, Cowgirls head coach Kenny Gajewski was hoping his team found it enlightening. Anything can and will happen in Oklahoma City.

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Infield in the final inning is both good and bad. Good in that it means you have something to protect, a lead. Oklahoma State did with a 3-2 advantage after an error by first baseman Alysen Febrey had opened the door that Georgia’s nine-hole hitter Ellie Armstead slammed open with the Bulldogs best hit of the day, a double to the wall in left-center that scored Jaiden Fields to close the game to 3-2. Infield in with Bulldogs on second and third, and Savana Sikes hit a weak pop-up to second baseman Karli Petty for out number two. Then Sydney Kuma grounded to Sydney Pennington at third who threw it to first where Febrey got the scoop and the final out for a 3-2 Oklahoma State win and moving on in the  winner’s bracket.

Oklahoma State goes to 48-10 on the season and Georgia drops to 34-22. Eberle was awesome at pitcher holding Georgia to two runs on seven hits.  

“I definitely knew I was going to start,” Eberle said of getting the ball for this game. “I was going to go as long as I could, just do the best I could for this team.”  

You knew the ultra-competitive first baseman for the Cowgirls Febrey really wanted a hand in the verdict in game one for Oklahoma State in the Women’s College World Series. Afterall, Febrey was facing her first college team in Georgia on the biggest stage of her collegiate career in Oklahoma City. Every player in the line-up has a hand in the game. Pitcher Carrie Eberle had a huge hand going the distance in the circle. The second-team All-American Eberle struck out two, but was in command throughout.

Febrey was the finish on two double plays by the Cowgirls on defense, but she wanted more. In the bottom of the sixth inning with Georgia having scored to tighten the score at 2-1, Febrey had the chance she was craving. Kiley Naomi had singled and moved to second on a sacrifice  bunt by Chyenne Factor, who earlier had hit the two-run homer that put the Cowgirls in the lead.

Febrey didn’t waste it as she lined her second single of the game to center and that scored Naomi to make it 3-1.

“I'm sure she feels really good about that right now. But you never know. Like if we don't score that run, I mean, their hitters might not have done what they did. It's hard to look back. I just think Alysen is glad we got this win,” surmised Cowgirls head coach Kenny Gajewski. “I think for her there was some added pressure here today. She didn't let it bother her. You think about these kids who are named All-Americans yesterday, there's some more pressure on these guys.

“I just think Alysen handled it very, very well. She could have melted down there. She didn't,” Gajewski continued. (She) went out to the circle, tried to calm everyone down. I looked at her and said, ‘Hey, make the next play. That's it. Just make the next play. Don't look back, dwell on what's happened. Make the next play.’ She looked at me, said, ‘I'm good.’ That's all I had to hear.”

The Cowgirls had broke through in the bottom of the third inning as designated player Avery Hobson led off with the second hit of the game for Oklahoma State. The bouncer over the head of Georgia third baseman Savana Sikes fell to the dirt before diving shortstop Ellie Armstead could glove it. The soft single proved to be solid later in the inning. Chelsea Alexander trying to bunt popped it up for an easy out, but Hobson stayed tight at first base. Lead-off hitter Kiley Naomi flew out to the warning track in leftfield.

The next fly ball to the outfield was off the bat of Factor and it had a little more on it. Factor’s fly ball cleared the 220-foot sign in dead center and the two-run home run, her sixth of the season, put Oklahoma State up 2-0. Factor also collected her 28th and 29th RBI on the season.

“Yeah, the home run, I mean, it's been no secret I haven't been having very good at at bats through supers (regional),” Factor said. “My first at-bat wasn't very good. That pitch, it was kind of up, if I remember correctly. I just decided to swing and not be defensive, and good things happen.”

The next hitter Febrey hit a soft pop-up to second to end the inning.

Georgia seriously threatened for the first time in the top of the fifth inning as Jayda Kearney led off with a solid single to leftfield. After Sydney Chambley hit the ball back to pitcher Carrie Eberle on a fielder’s choice and Jaiden Fields walked that set up an interesting play. Payden Bordeau of Georgia slapped the ball to first and it glanced off the glove of Febrey at first into the outfield grass where second baseman Hayley Busby scooped it up and threw home where Chambley was trying to score. Catcher Reagan Wright caught the ball in plenty of time and applied the tag for the second out. The next hitter Armstead grounded to short to end the threat.

In the sixth inning the Bulldogs did get to Eberle. With one out Sydney Kuma singled up the middle to the right side of second base. The next hitter Lacey Fincher hit it back at Eberle and she wheeled to second but decided to get the sure out at first. With the speedy Kuma at second, Sara Mosley singled to rightfield and despite another good throw on target from Busby in right, Kuma was safe to make it put the Bulldogs within a run at 2-1.

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Mike Boynton in the stands at the Women’s College World Series.

That was when the former Georgia Bulldog and current devout Oklahoma State Cowgirl Febrey and her teammates answered.

The Cowgirls had a tremendous following as they more than filled in for so many of the OU fans that had filed out after the first game. Cowboys basketball head coach Mike Boynton was there. Oklahoma State linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez was front and center to cheer on his girlfriend Febrey. New athletic director Chad Weiberg, OSU vice-president Kyle Wray, and longtime OSU PA voice Larry Reece also recognized in the sea of orange.

The Cowgirls will take on James Madison at 6 p.m. on Friday night in the pool one winner’s bracket game.