OSU Softball: Cowgirls Walk Off in Series Opener against Texas

The Cowgirls’ series opener against the Longhorns lasted the length of a baseball game, but Oklahoma State prevailed in the battle of ranked teams.

No. 6 Oklahoma State defeated No. 16 Texas 3-2 on Friday at Cowgirl Stadium thanks to a Julia Cottrill walk-off home run in the ninth inning. That solo shot ended five scoreless innings for both teams.

The game’s only runs came off home runs. Katelynn Carwile hit a two-run shot in the first inning that also scored Brianna Evans. But Texas answered in the third when McKenzie Parker hit a two-run home run. From there, it was all pitchers.

Texas senior Hailey Dolcini retired 15 straight batters before Cottrill ended the game in the ninth. Dolcini finished having thrown eight 1/3 innings where she gave up the three runs off six hits while walking two and striking out six.

Kelly Maxwell did Kelly Maxwell things. Oklahoma State’s redshirt junior struck out 10 while giving up the two runs off seven hits in nine innings. She threw 119 pitches to Dolcini’s 108.

“I thought the pitching was really good,” OSU coach Kenny Gajewski said. “I’m really proud of Kelly. She just fought and fought and fought. She didn’t have her best stuff but just continued to battle and figure some things out. That’s what great pitchers do.”

The Cowgirls and Longhorns will go again Saturday, with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Miranda Elish is projected to start in the circle for OSU after transferring from Texas.