Cowgirls Ready to Play in Stillwater after Grueling Early-Season Road Trips

Kenny Gajewski and the Cowgirls are done with security lines and baggage claim, at least for now.

After spending their first three weekends on the road, Oklahoma State’s softball team hosts the Mizuno Classic at Cowgirl Stadium, which begins Friday. The team spent its first weekend in Tempe, Arizona, before traveling to Clearwater, Florida, and finally Palm Springs, California. After touching both coasts of the country and staying in various hotels, Gajewski and his squad are ready for some home cookin’ in Stillwater.

“I’m looking forward to being back here in our own beds, eating pregame meals that we normally do, not out of styrofoam, not in a hotel room,” Gajewski said.

Junior Taylor Lynch, who upped her batting average to .320 last weekend, said she has never traveled so much in such a short period of time. Utility player Whitney Whitehorn provided more insight into the lives of a student-athlete, describing how the strenuous travel schedule affects schooling.

Whitehorn said members of the team will often do homework in airports or on the plane. The term “student-athlete” gets tossed around a lot, but it can be easy to lose sight of how athletes’ academics can be affected.

“Our days are pretty much planned out from the time we wake up until the time we go to sleep,” Whitehorn said. “My life is scheduled almost a week in advance, I know exactly what I’m doing. Sometimes when you throw a wrench in there, I’m like, ‘Woah.’”

She also discussed changing test dates that are scheduled when the Cowgirls are on the road. Most teachers comply without much fuss, but some are less lenient and forgiving than others.

Traveling impacts that daily routine Whitehorn mentioned. The Cowgirls normally lift weights on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but they missed the past two Thursdays because of travel. OSU missed even more workouts when frigid temperatures canceled school, along with some practices, last week.

Gajewski said the Cowgirls’ indoor facility doesn’t heat that well, and it can be hard to feel the ball, even though they’re inside. Instead of having them continue with their normal workouts, he just had them play catch, which is something he said he learned from.

“I think that may have been a mistake,” Gajewski said. “I’m learning, too. I’m a young head coach in that way, so I’ll definitely learn from that.

“Looking back, my thought process was, ‘Hey we’re mature. We’ll be able to handle that. But I don’t think we handled it well, and that’s on me.”

Perhaps the lack of activity is what led the Cowgirls to a 1-4 stretch last weekend, or perhaps it was simply a case of being worn out from the miles of travel and countless nights away from home. Regardless of the answer to OSU’s struggles, the Cowgirls are eager for their turn to be the home team.

“No excuses, it’s just that it’s nice to be in your own beds and in your locker room that we’re so happy to have,” Gajewski said. “Just being back here is a big deal.”

Weekend Schedule

Friday, Mar. 2 — Omaha (4 p.m.) | Maine (6:30 p.m.)
Saturday, Mar. 3 — Maine (4 p.m.) | Omaha (6:30 p.m.)
Sunday, Mar . 4 — St. Francis (1:30 p.m.)