Cowgirls Playing For Name On Front of Jersey In Bedlam

Wednesday, March 30

Oklahoma City, OK

6:30 PM

Oklahoma State University

Oklahoma

March 29, 2016 | Cowgirl Softball

Stillwater, Okla.---- The state of Oklahoma has a simple decision to make Wednesday night in Oklahoma City.

It's the choice every Oklahoman faces when Oklahoma State takes on Oklahoma, no matter when or where it is. It's the same choice they'll have to make when the teams clash on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

"You're either crimson or orange," Shea Coats said. "You're one or the other. It's fun. In this state we're pretty united on everything and this is our one thing we kind of battle out."

Coats, an Oklahoma native, would know. She herself comes from a family divided.

"Somewhat," she said. "My dad is an OSU graduate and my mom is an OU graduate so it's been one or the other growing up."

Although her mom graduated from Oklahoma, Coats said she would be wearing orange Wednesday night. She has been that way since Coats transferred to Oklahoma State this year. It's the other side of the family that gives her some friendly jabs.

"(My mom) was super proud of me," she said. "My cousin is actually the drum major at OU. So I get most of the jabs from that side of the family. My aunt and uncle played in the OU band, it's where they met, and my cousins are in the band so that was a fun call when I told them I was coming here."

The Cowgirls know how much it would mean to beat Oklahoma for the first time since 2011, but they're doing their best to not get overhyped for the game.

"I look at it as it's conference," Coach Kenny Gajewski said. "I think it's easy for people to say, 'oh they're just playing this down,' but I really don't care. I don't care who we're going to play. I don't care what their name across their chest says. I don't care what they've done the last 10 years. I'm concerned about our team. I'm concerned about our program."

With that in mind, Gajewski said he knows the importance of the game. So far he has only experienced the rivalry from the Oklahoma side, so he is excited to finally experience it from the Oklahoma State side this week.

"I think it's a crazy fight," he said. "It has so much pride at stake for people. Crazy things can happen. I know how important this is for our school and community. I just want our kids to understand we're playing for the name on our chest and that's all we can control."

Oklahoma State (17-12) comes into the game with plenty of momentum. The Cowgirls have won five straight, as well as 12 of their past 14. Tiffany Mikkelson has led the charge for the Cowgirls the past week at the plate. She batted .545 in three games with 10 RBIs and two home runs.

Online coverage of the game can be found at okstate.com. Live stats will be provided. Fans can also follow the game on Twitter (@CowgirlSB), Instagram (Cowgirl Softball) and Facebook for updates and behind the scenes looks at the Cowgirls.