Oklahoma State Knocks off Oklahoma 4-3 To Win First Big 12 Championship

Saturday was a huge day for Oklahoma State softball as the Cowgirls knocked off top-seeded Oklahoma 4-3 in extra innings in the Big 12 title game to win the first Big 12 championship in program history.

It marked the first time since 1992 the Cowgirls have won a conference championship, and the first time since 2010-11 the Cowgirls have beaten the Sooners in consecutive seasons.

Tied 3-3 at the end of the seventh inning, Miranda Elish singled into left field to put the potential game-winning run on first. OU pitcher Hope Trautwein then walked both Sydney Pennington and Hayley Busby to load the bases with no outs.

Taylor Tuck flied out to left field, with Karli Petty reaching base on a fielder’s choice, which resulted in pinch runner Jules Callaham being thrown out at home.

Enter Kiley Naomi, who was walked on four-straight pitches to bring home what ended up being the game-winning run in Pennington.

The bottom of the eight inning was just as intense as you might expect. Morgan Day, who was brought into the game in relief, recorded a ground out to start the inning, followed by a fly out to left field by Lindsey Elam for the second out. Alyssa Brito hit a grounder up the middle, which was fielded by Kiley Naomi, but a throwing error by Naomi put the tying run on first.

That brought up Jana Johns to the plate, who had reached base safely twice in the game. With an 0-1 count, Johns grounded up the middle, which was fielded by Naomi and thrown cleanly to first for the third and final out, clinching the title for the Cowgirls.

Morgan Day, who was brought on in relief, went five innings and gave up just one earned run, a game-tying solo home run to Jocelyn Alo in the bottom of the fifth inning, which made the game 3-3. She’d finish the game with three strikeouts, no walks, giving up just three hits and the lone run.

Starting pitcher Kelly Maxwell finished the day going three innings and recorded one strikeout, two runs, one of them earned, along with four hits.

Katelynn Carwile led the way for the Cowgirls at the plate as she finished the day going 2-for-4, one stolen base and one run scored.

Following her performance this weekend, Day was named the Big 12 tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. Making the All-Tournament team, as selected by media members, was Day, Chelsea Alexander, Chyenne Factor and Kelly Maxwell.