Opponent Preview: Cowgirls Set to Host Arizona in Super Regionals

STILLWATER –Aside from a few rough innings this past weekend, Oklahoma State Cowgirl softball rolled its way through the Stillwater Regional 3-0 to make it to a fifth-straight Super Regional appearance, the Cowgirls’ fourth-straight hosting.

The Stillwater Regional was paired up with the Fayetteville Regional, which didn’t see a host advancing, but rather the Arizona Wildcats, a team the Cowgirls have faced a handful of times in recent years.

Game one between Oklahoma State and Arizona is schedule for Friday, May 24 at 7 p.m. CT on ESPNU, with game two on Saturday, May 25 at 6 p.m. CT. TV has yet to be set for game two, and an if necessary game three is TBD on Sunday, May 26.

The Wildcats are currently 37-16-1 overall on the season, 13-11 in Pac-12 play, 9-9 on the road and 4-1-1 on neutral sites. While Supers are technically a neutral site, I would count these are road games for the Cats.

Against ranged opponents, the Wildcats are 8-13.

As a team, the Wildcats are hitting .331, with a slugging percentage of .531 and an on-base percentage of .407. They’ve combined for 482 hits in 1,457 at-bats, with 58 doubles, 10 triples and 71 homeruns. They’ve also recorded 322 RBIs and 347 runs scored. 

Offensively, the Wildcats have a fielding percentage of .980 with just 29 errors on the season.

They have a couple of a really dangerous hitters this season, starting with freshman utility player, Regan Shockey. Out of Chino Hills, CA, the freshman is hitting an impressive .411 on the season in 54 games and starts. That includes 79 hits in 192 at-bats, 25 RBIs and 44 runs scored. She’s struck out 25 times and been walked eight and has a slugging percentage of .422 and an on-base percentage of .435.

Right behind Shockey from the plate is sophomore outfielder, Dakota Kennedy. Just like Shockey, Kennedy has 54 starts in 54 games and is also hitting above .400 on the season with a .405 average in 163 plate appearances. She has 66 hits, nine doubles and 13 home runs with 53 runs and 34 RBIs. She’s struck out 20 times with 42 walks, a .699 slugging percentage and a .529 on-base percentage. 

The ace for the Wildcats this season is sophomore lefty, Aissa Silva. She’s 22-5 in 47 appearances and 20 starts on the season, with a 3.03 ERA. She’s given up 140 hits, 79 runs, 66 of which have been earned, with 109 strikeouts to 55 walks. She’s given up 26 doubles, three triples, 23 home runs and is allowing opponents just a .249 batting average.

The next pitcher Cowgirl fans can expect to see is grad student Miranda Stoddard, who transferred in from Kentucky. She has a record of 6-8 in 42 appearances and 22 starts, with an ERA of 3.92. She’s given up 137 hits, 76 runs, 70 of which have been earned, 20 doubles, three triples and 24 home runs. She’s recorded 47 strikeouts and 41 walks.