SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Kenny Gajewski's 300th and 301st head coaching victories came Saturday afternoon as the No. 2 Oklahoma State Softball team swept its doubleheader against Incarnate Word with a pair run-rule wins, 11-0 and 10-0, respectively.
With the wins, OSU improved to 32-2 and UIW fell to 11-17-1.
Gajewski's most recent milestone elevates his career head coaching record to 301-123 in eight seasons at Oklahoma State.
In game one – for the 20th time this season – the Cowgirls scored in the first inning as Kiley Naomi notched her 37th RBI of the season with a single.
Redshirt senior Kelly Maxwell improved to 11-0 and pitched a gem against the Cardinals. The lefty went 4.0 scoreless innings, with seven strikeouts and only one walk.
The Pokes posted a three-run second inning, highlighted by a two-RBI single from Megan Bloodworth, to extend their lead to 4-0.
OSU brought the game into run-rule territory with an eight-hit, seven-run fifth inning. Chyenne Factor opened the scoring with an RBI knock to center field that brought home Micaela Wark. An RBI base-hit from Katelynn Carwile put the Cowgirls up 6-0.
With the bases loaded, Rachel Becker cleared the bases with a three-RBI double that extended the advantage to nine. The graduate transfer's three RBI in game one against UIW is a new career high.
RBI base-hits from Tallen Edwards and Naomi rounded out the scoring for the Pokes, bringing the total to 11-0 after the top of the fifth.
Big 12 Pitcher of the Week Lexi Kilfoyl came in and shut the door on the Cardinals, striking out two batters to secure the run-rule victory.
In game one's impressive offensive display, every position player in the Cowgirls' starting lineup recorded at least one hit, while five different Pokes posted multi-hit performances.
After a scoreless first inning in game two, the Cowgirls scored five runs in the second to put the game out of reach early.
Four-consecutive hits opened the inning, highlighted by Lexi McDonald, who recorded a two-RBI base knock in her first collegiate start as the Cowgirls' DP.
Becker's fourth RBI of the day brought home McDonald and extended the lead to 3-0. A bases-loaded walk and an RBI groundout ended the inning, with OSU up 5-0.
Ivy Rosenberry got the nod in the circle and impressed with 4.0 shutout innings.
Scotland David's second single of the game scored OSU's sixth in the third inning, while Audrey Schneidmiller's RBI single in the fourth extended the lead to 7-0.
A three-run fifth inning brought the OSU lead into double-digits and moved the game to run-rule territory. A leadoff walk from Becker opened the inning, as she extended her on-base streak to 34 games this season.
David capped off her perfect 3-for-3 day with a double that moved Becker to third. A two-RBI double from Naomi scored both runners and improved the lead, 9-0.
Freshman Katie Lott scored Naomi with an RBI fielder's choice to end the Cowgirls' 21-run day.
On the day, the Pokes outscored UIW 21-0 and outhit the Cardinals 28-3.
In both games today, OSU notched double-digit hits as a team, which marks the 21st and 22nd time this season it has accomplished this feat.
The Cowgirls travel for a midweek contest against Wichita State on Tuesday, April 4. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. CT and fans can listen on The Varsity Network.
RodeoPoke said:
I'm not sure that I've seen an OSU team this good, in any sport.
Have any of you seen an OSU team that could be comparable?
Keep up the great work Ladies!!!
