Pennington Learning from Shippy, Experience in First Season at OSU

Vanessa Shippy sees a lot of herself in Sydney Pennington.

Pennington, a freshman who leads the team with 24 RBIs and is one of four Cowgirls to start all 20 games, is being asked to play out of her comfort zone in left field. Her preferred position is shortstop, but what was once a relatively unknown position has turned into a position of familiarity.

“Right now I probably feel most comfortable in left field because that’s where I’ve been practicing and stuff,” Pennington said. “I love shortstop because that’s my No. 1 position, but I haven’t been practicing it a lot right now.”

If anyone on Oklahoma State’s softball team can relate to switching positions, it’s Shippy. She has played every position, including pitcher, during her time at OSU. Shippy, a senior, said Pennington can play anywhere because of her athleticism and love for the game, but added that more than anything, Pennington just wants to be on the field.

“I just wanted to be on the field,” Shippy said. “And she’s that player. She’s willing to be anywhere. She’s willing to catch, she’s willing to play outfield. Obviously she loves shortstop, and that’s probably where she’s gonna be in the future.”

Coach Kenny Gajewski has tinkered with his lineup and positions in the past, moving Taylor Lynch from third base to the outfield and using Shippy in multiple positions.

Gajewski’s crew will take on ASA Hall of Fame Stadium this weekend for five games in the OSU Hall of Fame Classic, which is their last invitational of the season. Pennington said she has played at ASA about five times, but Gajewski said things are a little different when playing for a university as opposed to your high school.

“It’s just gonna be a different atmosphere, there’s more at stake,” Gajewski said. “They know that. I think it’s important just to get them there and get the feel of how those fields play, what it’s like, what the crowds are like and all that kind of stuff.”

If things go well enough for the Cowgirls this season, they could find themselves at ASA for the Women’s College World Series. Pennington has acknowledged the success the Cowgirls (14-6) have had this season but knows there’s still room for improvement, saying they haven’t quite hit their peak.

Gajewski agreed there’s a correlation between chemistry and success on the field, and he said this year’s team is as close as any team he’s had in Stillwater. That chemistry and closeness is evidenced in the way Pennington talks about Shippy, and vice versa.

“She’s full of energy, loves the game, one of the ditsiest people I’ve ever met in my whole life, so she makes it a good time,” Shippy said. “She’s gonna be amazing here and the years to come, and this year, too.”