OSU Softball Wins Wild Big 12 Tournament Opener vs. Texas

The Cowgirls’ Big 12 Tournament opener had it all: chippiness, blood and even a walk-off strike out.

Oklahoma State beat Texas 3-2 in extra innings after Cowgirl outfielder Chelsea Alexander struck out in the bottom of the ninth. The ball, however, got away from Texas catcher Mary Iakopo who sent an errant throw to first. Karli Petty, who singled in the at-bat before, scored from first on the play to win the game.

It was a low-scoring game, but it was tight and filled with emotion.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Alexander got caught attempting to steal second with the game tied at 2. The Cowgirls had runners on first (Alexander) and third (Maci Cunconan). After throwing Alexander out at second, Iakopo stood up and waved Alexander off the field.

Some more tensions came in the eighth as Alysen Febrey slid into second during a double-play. Texas second basewoman Janae Jefferson took issue with the slid as the two exchanged pleasantries. Jefferson even tossed her glove off her hand.

It was an intense game because the Cowgirls entered the tournament as the 2 seed, and Texas the 3. The tournament has a pool-play format, which gives whichever team that won that game a good shot at playing in Saturday’s championship game, so long as they both beat 5 seed Iowa State.

Texas got the scoring started in the first inning when Taylor Ellsworth singled down the left-field line, scoring Shannon Rhodes. Ellsworth doubled the Longhorns’ lead in the third with a single that scored Jefferson.

Alexander got on with a bunt single in the bottom of the third inning. She then stole second, but the throw took Texas shortstop McKenzie Parker off the bag. Parker’s knee shoved Alexander’s facemask into her nose. Trainers had to come out to plug her nose, as it was bleeding, but she stayed in the game.

Kiley Naomi was the Cowgirls’ next batter, and she tied the game up with a two-run shot to left.

The Cowgirls go again at 5 p.m. Friday evening against Iowa State. If the Cowgirls win that game, they’ll advance to Saturday’s championship, where they’ll likely get another shot at top-ranked Oklahoma.