OSU will plays two ACC and SEC teams, including No. 2 Alabama
Clarisa Crowell enters her sixth season as a member of the Cowgirl coaching staff, working primarily with the pitching staff.She has been an instrumental part of Oklahoma State's return to national prominence, including last year's trip to the Women's College World Series.
In five seasons, the Cowgirl pitching staff has shown dramatic improvement. The season before Crowell's arrival at OSU, the Cowgirls had a 3.92 earned run average and allowed a .284 batting average to the opponents. The staff has consistently improved during Crowell's tenure.In 2011, Oklahoma State's ERA dropped to 2.18 and the opponents were hitting just .201 at the plate.
More importantly, OSU's pitchers are receiving recognition for their accomplishments. In 2011, both Cowgirl starters were named to the All-Midwest Regional team, with senior Anna Whiddon and freshman Kat Espinosa both garnering second-team accolades. It's the first time since 2003 that a Cowgirl pitcher has been named All-Region, and the first time since 1994 that two OSU pitchers were honored. This past season, Espinosa was named All-Big 12 First Team.
Crowell is primarily responsible for the pitching staff, but also works with the Cowgirl catchers. Since Crowell's arrival in Stillwater, two catchers have been named All-Big 12 -- Courtney Totte was named All-Big 12 First Team in 2007 and Sam Heinlein was All-Big 12 Second Team in 2009. Totte was also a third-team All-American in `07. Crowell's administrative duties include the management of team equipment, assistance with recruiting activities, organization of team functions, as well as game and practice preparation. Crowell also assists with the development of OSU's camps/clinics. In her one season at Syracuse in 2006, the Orange had four players earn all-region status and five players were named all-conference. Syracuse finished fourth in the Big East, led by All-American and Big East Player of the Year Alexis Switenko, and Tonye McCorkle, the Big East Co-Rookie of the Year. Crowell was an asset for coach Roanna Brazier at Ohio University, where she began her coaching career as a graduate assistant before achieving an assistant coaching position in 2005. Crowell assisted the coach in all phases of the game, including pitching, hitting and defense. As a player at Virginia Tech, Crowell was a three-time all-conference selection. She earned her first honor as a freshman in the Atlantic-10 as a pitcher and third baseman. She again earned all-conference honors as a sophomore outfielder and pitcher, showing her versatility on defense. She moved back to the infield her senior season and was named second-team All-Big East, hitting .367 on the year. Crowell was also named first-team all-region and was voted Tech's best offensive player. She was named Virginia all-state three times and became the first player in history to earn the honor at two different positions. She also worked in the VT athletic department as a student-athlete mentor and tutor. Crowell ranks among the Hokies' all-time greats. She holds the school record with a 72.2 winning percentage on the mound, and she is second all-time in earned run average, strikeouts, wins, starts, innings pitched, appearances, complete games and shutouts. In 2001, Crowell played Women's Major Ball for the Illinois Decatur Twisters. The Twisters competed in several tournaments, including the Canada Cup, and tied for fourth place in the National Tournament. Crowell has served as a long-time clinician, working many clinics and camps since as early as her high school career. Crowell graduated from Virginia Tech in 2002 with a bachelor's degree in psychology. She earned a master's degree from Ohio in recreation and sports sciences, graduating Magna Cum Laude.
