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Three Thoughts on Oklahoma State Softball’s 3-0 Win against Houston

On playing for the community, Meylan’s dominant day and Bloodworth’s continued success at the plate.

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1 year ago

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[Devin Wilber/PFB]

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STILLWATER — After a tough weekend for the Stillwater community, the Cowgirls got back on the field Sunday and got a big W.

Oklahoma State beat Houston 3-0 in Cowgirl Stadium, pushing OSU to 17-6 on the year and 2-2 in Big 12 play. Here are three takeaways from Sunday’s game.

1. More Than a Game

It’s been a surreal weekend in Stillwater, with the community being heavily effected by the Friday wildfires that tore through the state (how to help).

The Stillwater Fire Chief said at a news conference Saturday morning that about 50 homes and structures were lost because of the fires. The chaos forced the series’ Friday and Saturday games to be canceled.

The Cowgirls wore Stillwater Strong stickers on their batting helmets, and the coaches had Stillwater Strong-branded shirts. More than getting a win on their record, it sounded like the Cowgirls were more interested in getting a win for the community on Sunday.

“It was important for Stillwater, more importantly,” OSU coach Kenny Gajewski said. “I wish we could’ve had some more home runs and big innings, but I felt like we needed to come out here and give a good performance. …

“(The fans) obviously want to see us win, but what I’ve always told our kids is people want to, when they walk through the front door and they pay their hard-earned money to come here, they want to leave their problems there. So just be the best you, play with a smile on your face, play hard, great passion, the Cowgirl way.”

2. Meylan Shuts the Cougs Down

The Cowgirl offense wasn’t at its best Sunday, but one run would’ve been enough for All-American pitcher Ruby Meylan.

Meylan went the full seven innings, giving up a single hit while walking three and striking out 10.

Houston’s lone hit came in the fourth inning when Makenna Mitchell chopped a ball that bounced off the ground and high over Meylan’s head. Second baseman Rosie Davis came up and made a nice play on the ball, scooping it up off a hop near second base but with the height the ball got on the bounce, the throw wasn’t able to get there in time. Other than that, the Houston offense wasn’t able to do much of anything.

“I thought Ruby was the story here today,” Gajewksi said. “Just kind of a weird — obviously everything that we’re going through here has been kind of a downer. And I thought our energy was kind of hesitant, and I get that. But I thought Ruby, we just kind of got on her back and kind of rode here. I think 10 Ks and really kind of unhittable.”

3. Bloodworth Provides the Offense

Senior shortstop Megan Bloodworth continues to shine in the batter’s box this season, as she was the only Cowgirl with multiple hits Sunday. Both her hits provided OSU with runs.

Houston had a two-out error in the bottom of the second, where the left fielder dropped a would-be third out. That brought Bloodworth to the dish, and she smashed the ball off the wall in right-center. The centerfielder went crashing into the fence, and Bloodworth ended up on third with a triple, scoring Tallen Edwards who reached via the error.

Bloodworth got back to the plate in the fifth, when she clobbered a leadoff home run to left field. It was her fifth round-tripper of the season after having six total in her first two years in Stillwater.

The long balls aren’t the only place Bloodworth has improved at the plate. In her first two seasons as a Cowgirl, Bloodworth had a .189 batting average. She’s up to .360 after her 2-for-3 Sunday.

“She’s been doing it the whole year,” Gajewski said. “She did it all fall. It’s really cool to see. It’s cool to see her just kind of growing up, and her just getting to eat the fruit. She’s been working hard. She’s worked hard every day that she’s been here. But it’s cool to see. Maybe I’m the idiot for batting her in the nine hole or the eight hole. Maybe I need to take a look at that. …

“I’m proud of her. She’s an awesome kid, and this is the kind of hitter that she is.”

Kenny Gajewski’s Postgame News Conference

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