Cowgirls Split Pair Of Games With Florida To End Season

Sunday, May 21

Gainesville, Fla.

11:00 AM CT

Oklahoma State University

38-24

Florida

52-7

Florida

OKLAHOMA STATE

May 21, 2017 | Cowgirl Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

GAINESVILLE, Fla. ---- Oklahoma State softball split a pair of games against No. 1 Florida as it forced the winner-take-all game with a chance to reach a super regional. The Cowgirls defeated the Gators, 1-0, in the first game before falling, 5-0 in the second to finish the season.

The win over the Gators was OSU's first over a No.1 team since 2011, while today's outcome gave the Cowgirls a 38-25 in head coach Kenny Gajewski's second season.

All three of OSU's regional wins came via a complete-game shutout.

"Congratulations to Florida," Gajewski said. "Obviously a great team, great program, we gave them everything I think we had. So proud of our kids and the way that we fought in the first game. I thought that Brandi was, I didn't think it actually got off to a great start, I didn't think that she was at her best. She was one hit away from taking her out but she just continued to fight and show what she is all about. We had a clutch hit by Vanessa, just a great at-bat and it was a surreal time I think.
"I've always wanted to get back here and play these guys to get our kids here to play the very best and I think as good as that win felt for us, it was tough. I felt that whole array of emotions, I am so proud of our kids and what they did, and the way that they fought and I think in that second game we just ran out of gas.

Oklahoma State couldn't have asked for a much better start to the day, as senior Brandi Needham continued her impressive postseason performance with a complete-game shutout to force the "if necessary" game.

The Gators looked poised to take a lead in the top of the fourth when it loaded the bases with no outs. With the help of an inning-ending 3-2-5 double play, Needham was able to hold Florida without a run.

Vanessa Shippy ended up being the deciding factor in game one. After Maddi Holcomb's one-out single in the bottom of the sixth, Shippy produced the game's only run with an RBI double to center to give OSU the eventual 1-0 victory.

Shippy led the way at the plate for the Cowgirls, going 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Needham (21-10) earned the victory in the circle with her second complete-game shutout of the regional.

The second game, Florida's depth as the No. 1 team in the country started to show as the Gators scored runs in the first three innings to jump out to a 4-0 lead. The Gators added another in the bottom of the fifth to take the 5-0 lead it wouldn't surrender.

Hayleigh Galvan recorded OSU's lone hit as she finished 1-for-3.

Shea Coats (8-10) took the loss for the Cowgirls in one inning of action