Cowgirls Build Momentum in Big 12 Finale

Saturday, May 12

Oklahoma City, OK

11 A.M. CT

Oklahoma State University

38-20

Iowa State

23-33

Iowa State

Oklahoma State

Photo by: OSU Athletics

May 12, 2018 | Cowgirl Softball

Box Score

OKLAHOMA CITY – The No. 24 Oklahoma State softball team finished off the Phillips 66 Big 12 Championship with a victory, defeating Iowa State, 5-1, on Saturday at OGE Energy Field.

The Cowgirls' win marked their 38th triumph of the season, bringing them level with last season's win total.

"I felt like we came out slow during the first two-and-a-half innings, but I feel our at-bats changed some after that," head coach Kenny Gajewski said. "I'm not sure why. Maybe it was just because we were one time through, but just a little more pleased with the way we came out. Our energy was much better. I challenged our team last night about what we really want and who we are and what the standards are here. I felt like we came out a lot better."

The highlight of Saturday's matchup came in the bottom of the fifth inning. It was then that Madi Sue Montgomery uncorked a two-run home run to straightway center field, breaking the OSU single-season home run record that has stood for a more than a decade.

Montgomery's 15th home run of the season broke a three-way tie with Courtney Totte (2007) and Kim Kaye (2008) for the top single-season mark by a Cowgirl. She finished 1-for-4 at the plate with three RBI on Saturday, bringing her to 63 runs batted in this season. Her 63 RBI are the second most in school history and eight shy of Totte's 2007 record-setting total.

"Big moment. She is just this kid that you want to cheer for. She plays hurt and never misses a day," Gajewski said of Montgomery's record-setting moment. "She never complains. She never has a bad day. She is just out here and grinding, a little banged up. She continues to hit in spots where we need her to. If she doesn't tear the ACL after her freshman year, I think she is already setting the career home run record mark here. She is back on track. 15 home runs, that's a lot. I know there are some kids out there who have more, but that's a lot of home runs, I don't care who you are. I pumped my fist because it meant a lot to us."

Vanessa Shippy played a starring role in Saturday's win, going 2-for-3 at the plate with a walk and two runs scored. Shippy, after tying the Big 12 and OSU career doubles record yesterday, added three more Cowgirl career records to her impressive tally, as she tied Chelsea Garcia for the most games played, games started and most consecutive games started by a player in team history.

Shippy, the 2016 and 2018 Big 12 Player of the Year, now owns no fewer than 12 school records and is well on track to earning her third-consecutive All-America honor. If she does so, she will join Jaime Foutch as the only Cowgirls to be named an All-American on three occasions.

Senior transfer Emmie Robertson earned the victory in the circle Saturday, pitching four innings of one-run ball. Samantha Clakley also was credited in the final scoreline, earning her first save as a Cowgirl after pitching three shutout innings in relief of Robertson.

Oklahoma State will now await the announcement of its NCAA Tournament destination during Sunday night's selection show. The field of 64 will be announced at 9 p.m. CT on ESPN2.

The Cowgirls will be making their third-straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament. It is the first time that OSU will compete in the tournament in three consecutive seasons since a three-year run from 2009-11.