OSU Softball: Cowgirls Open 2024 Season with 8-0 Run-Rule Victory against CSUN

The Cowgirls started their season off with a quick game on Thursday.

Oklahoma State opened its softball season with an 8-0 run-rule victory against Cal State-Northridge in California. The Matadors kept it close for about three innings, but it was only a matter of time.

OSU took a 3-0 lead into the fifth, where the Cowgirls busted things open with some high-level base running. Scotland David started the inning with a walk before stealing second on a Karli Godwin strikeout. Micaela Wark then grounded a ball to third, but the CSUN third basemen took too much time trying to make sure David didn’t run to third base. A rushed throw resulted in an error, putting David on third anyway. David then scored from third on an errant throw to try to get pinch-runner Taylor Anderson out.

A Claire Timm bunt single put Anderson on third, and Timm made a heady play by running to an open second base. Jilyen Poullard was then able to get on first via fielder’s choice with the threat of a runner coming home, which loaded the bases.

That brought up Audrey Schneidmiller, who blasted a ball to the wall in left-center. The left and center fielders collided, making way for a bases-clearing triple to give the Cowgirls their 8-0 lead.

From there, Ivy Rosenberry came to the circle and promptly recorded three outs to secure the five-inning run rule.

Eight different Cowgirls recorded hits in the five innings with no one recording more than one.

The Cowgirls first run of the season came just three batters in. Tallen Edwards drew a season-opening walk before Katie Lott singled to left. In her first collegiate at-bat, Godwin singled to left-center to score Edwards from second.

One collegiate at bat ✅
One base hit ✅

Welcome to it, @karligodwin2#GoPokes | #REP pic.twitter.com/qMPb2EZadJ

— OSU Cowgirl Softball (@cowgirlsb) February 8, 2024

Their other two runs came in the fourth. With a runner on and one out, freshman Rosie Davis singled. Davis’ first career hit put runners on first and second for shortstop Megan Bloodworth. Bloodworth singled to right center, and transfer Jilyen Poullard scored on an error. Bloodworth was thrown out trying to steal second, but the aggressive baserunning saw Davis scored from third on the play.

Lexi Kilfoyl got the start in the circle, throwing two perfect innings while recording a strikeout. Freshman Katie Kutz was the first player out of new pitching coach Carrie Eberle’s pen. In her first college action, Kutz threw two scoreless innings, allowing a pair of hits and walking one to set up Rosenberry.

With the weather being rather un-California in California, the Cowgirls’ weekend schedule has been altered a few times, but OSU is set to be back in action at 1 p.m. Friday against Loyola Marymount. The Cowgirls will then play Utah State and UC-Riverside on Saturday before ending the weekend with a big game against UCLA at 3 p.m. Sunday on ESPN.