OSU Softball: Previewing the Stillwater Regional

Update: This story was updated after the NCAA announced full capacity would be allowed on Wednesday.

The Cowgirls earned the No. 5 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament and the road to another Women’s College World Series lies before them. But first, they’ll need to take care of business at home.

Starting on Friday, the Cowgirls will host Oklahoma State’s ninth regional in program history. Here are the pertinent details and what to know heading in.

Who?

Can the Cowgirls wrangle a combination of Bulldogs, (Boston) Terriers and Camels? If so, they’ll be headed to a super regional.

OSU will host Mississippi State, Boston University and Campbell, the Nos. 2-4 seeds, respectively. The Oklahoman‘s Scott Wright did a nice job of previewing the attendees and their perspective histories with OSU and in the NCAA Tournament.

Scott pointed to each team’s NCAA history and appearances, which I thought was at least interesting juxtaposed against Oklahoma State’s.

Mississippi State: 16th appearance | 15-30 record
Boston: 11th appearance |7-20 record
Campbell: Fourth appearance | 3-7 record

OSU is 59-46 all-time in the NCAA Tournament and this is the Cowgirls’ 28th appearance in the tourney since its commencement in 1982.

What?

To that point, OSU has not missed the postseason under Kenny Gajewski, at least when there was a postseason to miss. What a streak.

Five of his six teams making the NCAA Tournament, with the qualifier for the sixth being COVID-19. Last year there was no tournament but OSU was on its way. finishing the abreviated season 19-5 on a 12-game win streak.

The last time there as a postseason held in 2019, the Cowgirls swept their regional and then defeated the defending national champ, Florida State, in the Tallahassee Super Regional to advance to the school’s eighth WCWS appearance.

Where?

This will be the third regional that Oklahoma State hosts inside Cowgirls Stadium which opened in 2000, (2011 and 2019), and ninth total in school history.

When?

We’ve got a full weekend of postseason softball on deck.

Things get started against Campbell on Friday at 1 p.m. The Cowgirls’ Saturday game will either be at 1 p.m. or 3:30 p.m. (against Mississippi State or Boston) and the time for Sunday’s title game is TBD.

Super regionals will be held the weekend of May 27-30.

Why?

You might notice a somewhat less rowdy Cowgirls Stadium, or have trouble getting tickets to the event. Here’s why.

Even though OSU has opened up its venues for full capacity crowds, the NCAA Tournament is recommending that capacities by limited to 50 percent for baseball and softball regionals due to COVID-19 concerns.

Here’s what OSU had to say in its media release.

Due to the NCAA’s limited capacity guidelines, tickets will go on sale one hour prior to each game at the stadium. The only seats available for purchase are tickets that go unused from the team allotments.

[OSU Athletics]

Update: On Wednesday, the NCAA announced that local public health authorities will instead determine fan capacities starting Thursday, allowing for full capacity at Cowgirls Stadium.

? Tickets are available at the gate one hour before first pitch of each game. ?#Pitch2Pitch | #GoPokes pic.twitter.com/Y1RsNziThr

— OSU Cowgirl Softball (@CowgirlSB) May 19, 2021

How?

Here’s a look at the complete bracket for the Stillwater Regional, including info on how to watch from home.

Friday, May 21 
Game 1 – Oklahoma State vs. Campbell (1 p.m. on ESPN3)
Game 2 – Mississippi State vs. Boston U (3:30 p.m. on ESPN3)
Saturday, May 22
Game 3 – Winner G1 vs. Winner G2 (TBD)
Game 4 – Loser G1 vs. Loser G2 (TBD)
Game 5 – Winner G4 vs. Loser G3 (TBD)
Sunday, May 22
Game 6 – Winner G3 vs. Winner G5 (TBD)
Game 7 – Winner G6 vs. Loser G6 (if necessary)