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Three Takeaways from Oklahoma State Softball at the Clearwater Invitational

Naomi hit four home runs this weekend.

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[Devin Wilber/PFB]

The Cowgirls went down to Clearwater, Florida, this past weekend and returned home to Stillwater with five wins in tow.

Oklahoma State was undefeated at this year’s Clearwater Invitational and moved to 8-1 on the season with a 5-0 week. The Cowgirls travel to New Mexico this upcoming weekend to participate in the Troy Cox Classic, where they’ll play four games.

Here are three takeaways from the Cowgirls’ weekend in Florida.

OpponentResult
Texas A&MW, 8-0 (6 innings)
NebraskaW, 10-0 (5 innings)
Virginia TechW, 10-9
LouisianaW, 12-2 (5 innings)
MichiganW, 15-6 (6 innings)

1. Naomi in a Groove

In terms of batting average, Kiley Naomi’s 2022 season was the worst of her career at .224. Well, the early returns on Naomi’s 2023 season say she is back.

She went 7-for-12 (.583) in Florida this past weekend, hitting four home runs and racking up 12 RBIs. Naomi had six home runs all of last season, which tied for a career-low with her freshman year.

On the season, Naomi is hitting .458 with 14 RBIs. She also boasts a 1.000 slugging percentage and a .563 on-base percentage.

2. Becker Gets on Base

From one of the longest-tenured Cowgirls to a fresh face, Purdue transfer Rachel Becker was 7-for-13 (.538) on the weekend. She is hitting .500 on the season, which is best among Cowgirls with at least 10 at-bats.

But perhaps more impressive than her solid batting average is Becker’s .667 on-base percentage, as she has drawn a team-high 10 walks and was also hit with another pitch. One of the most valuable traits in a leadoff hitter is getting on base, and Kenny Gajewski appears to have that in Becker.

3. Maxwell Still Dominant

Kelly Maxwell gave up a run this weekend — two, actually. You know a pitcher is good when that is news.

Her weekend started with a 12-strikeout shutout of Texas A&M before Maxwell gave up her first two runs of the season against Louisiana, a game in which she allowed only two hits while striking out 10 of the 19 batters she faced.

Four games into the year, Maxwell already has 45 strikeouts to go with her 0.58 ERA. Opposing batters have a .128 batting average against her. Dominant.

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