Cowgirls Defeat Razorbacks, 1-0

Wednesday, March 30

Stillwater, Okla.

3:00 PM

Oklahoma State University

29-7

Arkansas

10-25

Arkansas

Oklahoma State

March 30, 2011 | Cowgirl Softball

Box Score

March 30, 2011

Final Stats

Stillwater, Okla. -- Ari Morrison hit a grounder through the legs of Arkansas's shortstop that rolled all the way to the wall, scoring Amy Graham from third, as Oklahoma State's 19th-ranked softball team defeated the Razorbacks 1-0 here Wednesday afternoon in an abbreviated Border Wars shootout.

The game was scoreless through seven innings thanks to some fine pitching by both starters. Freshman Morgan Hawkins started in the circle for OSU and threw six scoreless innings, allowing three hits and a walk while striking out seven. Senior pitcher Kim Jones started for the Razorbacks and thre seven innings, scattering six hits while walking two and striking out seven as well.

Hawkins retired the first 11 batters she faced before Jayme Gee hit a double with two outs in the fourth. Jessica Robison walked, but Hawkins struck out Jennifer Rambo to end the inning.

With two outs in the fifth, Chloe Oprzedek reached on an error for Arkansas, and back-to-back singles by Ashley Martindale and Becca Carden loaded the bags. However, Martindale ran too far past second base, and a nice play by Cowgirl catcher Ashley Boyd recorded the third out at second base.

Oklahoma State had scoring opportunities as well. Julie Ward doubled with one out in the bottom of the fourth. Chelsea Garcia walked, but Tamara Brown grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Morrison and Alysia Hamilton had back-to-back singles in the sixth and both moved over on a ground out by Ward, but Garcia struck out to end the threat.

Sophomore pitcher Kat Espinosa started the seventh in the circle for OSU and gave up a double by Amanda Geile with one out. The Cowgirl hurler also gave up a double in the eighth to Carden, but ended the inning and improved to 15-3 on the season.

Graham led off the bottom of the eighth with a walk. A bunt single by leadoff hitter Mariah Gearhart, her third base hit of the game, and a throwing error by the Razorback third baseman advanced the runners to second and third. Morrison hit a hard shot at Oprzedek at shortstop, and the ball went right through her legs, running all the way to the wall with the game-ending hit.

The other two games of the Border Wars were canceled due to the cold weather. The Cowgirls will attempt to make up the game with Tulsa at a later date.

Oklahoma State (29-7 overall, 1-1 Big 12) will host the eightth-ranked Texas Longhorns (28-3, 2-0) on Saturday (2 pm) and Sunday (noon) at the Cowgirl Softball Complex.