Cowgirls Come Through with 9th Inning Walk Off Strikeout
OKLAHOMA CITY – In a game that had just about everything in it the Oklahoma State Cowgirls won in somewhat of an awkward fashion. In postseason the beauty is in the victory and not always the way it is fashioned. With two out in the bottom of the ninth and second baseman Karli Petty on first, the Cowgirls nine-hole hitter Chelsea Alexander struck out swinging to Longhorns pitcher Shealyn O’Leary, who had gone the distance for Texas.
Catcher Mary Iakopo couldn’t catch the ball that broke way outside and then in trying to throw to first Iakopo threw wide of the bag. Petty on her way to second kept going and never slowed down rounding third and scoring as the throw home was too late. Oklahoma State won the Pool B opener as the two seed over three seed Texas 3-2.
The Cowgirls and the Longhorns played each other tough all the way through. Texas jumped out early to a 2-0 lead but the Cowgirls Kiley Naomi evened the score in the bottom of the third inning with a two out, two-run homer down the left field line. Alexander was on base when Naomi crushed the ball over the wall to tie the contest.
Carrie Eberle got the win and is now 20-2 on the season. Eberle went the final two and two-thirds innings coming into relieve Kelly Maxwell, who pitched the first six and one-third innings and allowed both Texas runs and nine hits. Maxwell and her defense were crafty and clutch in keeping Texas from scoring with runners in position.
O’Leary pitched well for Texas and she also allowed nine hits, but it was the unearned run that cost Texas the game. Texas defense has struggled in games against the Cowgirls.
One of the spiciest moments in the game came in the bottom of the eighth inning when Cowgirls first baseman and senior Alysen Febrey had an infield single and then slid into second base and Texas second baseman Janae Jefferson. Jefferson thought she slid in high and came over got in Febrey’s face. Jefferson bowed up and even threw her glove, but Febrey kept her cool and the umpires gained control.
Oklahoma State goes to 41-8 on the season and continues play in Pool B with a 5 p.m. game with Iowa State. Texas (38-10) also played Iowa State earlier on Friday afternoon. The winner of Pool B is expected to see top seed of Pool A Oklahoma in the Saturday championship game.