Oklahoma State University Athletics

Cowgirls Win NCAA First-Round Game
May 20, 2011 | Cowgirl Softball
May 20, 2011
Final Stats
Knoxville, Tenn. -- Kelsey Anchors scored from second on Julie Ward's walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh and Oklahoma State's 22nd-ranked softball team defeated No. 19 Georgia Tech 2-1 here Friday afternoon in the first round of the NCAA Regional Tournament.
The Yellow Jackets took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Caitlin Jordan led off the frame with a base hit. Alysha Rudnik laid down a sacrifice bunt, and OSU third baseman Mariah Gearhart went for the lead runner, opting for second. However, her throw went wide right and rolled nearly to the wall before centerfielder Anchors could track it down. By that time, Jordan had scored and Rudnik was standing on third. Cowgirl starting pitcher Kat Espinosa worked out of the jam, retiring the next three batters to end the inning.
Oklahoma State responded in the bottom of the third inning. The Cowgirls used small ball as Gearhart led off the frame with a bunt single and stole second. Designated player Ari Morrison sacrificed Gearhart to third, and senior Alysia Hamilton drove her in with a base hit over first base.
Espinosa allowed just two Georgia Tech base runners the rest of the game, taking consistent command of her pitches. She improved to 21-7 with the victory. Yellow Jacket starter Lindsey Anderson did the same, allowing just one hit and one walk in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. OSU handed Anderson her first loss of the season as she dropped to 12-1.
Cowgirl freshman Tarah Ettinger pinch hit for Anchors to lead off the bottom of the seventh and walked on four pitches. Anchors returned as a pinch runner. With one out, Morrison moved the Cowgirl baserunner to second on a sacrifice hit, her second of the game. An intentional walk was issued to Hamilton, who was 2-for-3 on the day. With a two-ball, two-strike count, the Tech pitcher was called for an illegal pitch, making the count 3-2. Ward drove the next pitch over the second baseman's head. Anchors was running on the pitch and scored easily.
Oklahoma State (38-17) will face the winner of the Tennessee-Liberty contest in the winner's bracket game on Saturday afternoon at 1 pm CT.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Espinosa, Kat (21-7)
L: L. Anderson (12-1)
Batting:
SH: A. Rudnik 1
Base Running:
RUNS: K. Delashmit 1

Batting:
2B: Hamilton, Alysia 1
RBI: Hamilton, Alysia 1 ; Ward, Julie 1
SH: Morrison, Ari 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Gearhart, Mariah 1 ; Anchors, Kelsey 1
SB: Gearhart, Mariah 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
Players Mentioned
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