Three Thoughts on OSU Softball’s Home-Opening Doubleheader

PHOTOS

STILLWATER — Cowgirl Stadium was buzzing Sunday afternoon despite it being only early March.

The Oklahoma State softball team opened its home schedule with a doubleheader against Drake and Tulsa. The Cowgirls won via run rule in both games, beating Drake 9-1 in six innings and Tulsa 9-0 in five innings.

OSU belted three home runs against the Bulldogs, with Karli Godwin, Micaela Wark and Tallen Edwards all going yard. Godwin and Wark (OSU’s three and four hitters) combined to go 4-for-6 at the plate with five RBIs.

Kyra Aycock got the start in the circle but ran into a bit of early trouble. She pitched two innings, giving up a run on two hits while walking three. Katie Kutz took over in the third and threw the final four innings. She walked four but gave up just one hit and no runs while striking out three.

Ruby Meylan took to the circle in Game 2, which already puts the Cowgirls in a good position. She threw four and two-thirds, striking out half of the 18 batters she faced. She walked three and allowed one hit. Senior Kathryn Ogg came on and got the final out.

Here are three quick takeaways from a day at Cowgirl Stadium.

1. Newcomers Get First Taste of Atmosphere

Green Bay Packers cheese heads were a common piece of attire at Cowgirl Stadium on Sunday, as the OSU faithful was supporting Cal State-Fullerton transfer Megan “Cheese” Delgadillo.

It was a little chilly with rain on its way, but for March 2, it was a beautiful day in Stillwater and another example of how fond the OSU fanbase has grown to its softball team. It feels like a new set of bleachers pops up every other month, as more and more people are after softball tickets.

There was a listed attendance of 1,688 in OSU’s game against Tulsa — for March softball games against Drake and Tulsa.

“Honestly, it’s really cool,” said Delgadillo of her first games in Cowgirl Stadium. “It’s surreal. You never really get to experience a lot of this in college athletics, and I think it’s so cool, especially being a first-year here and having so many fans who want to be there for you and support you. Surreal. And honestly a great day. Won both games, and I think we’re coming together as a team really well.”

2. ‘I Just Want to Terrorize the Other Team as Much as Possible’

I’ve written about the Cowgirls increased aggression on the basepaths a few times already this season, but Sunday was my first chance to see it in person. It’s aggressive.

OSU stole four basses in each game, with Delgadillo stealing five of the Cowgirls’ eight on the day. Her most aggressive base-running moment, though, didn’t end in a steal.

Delgadillo earned a walk in the fourth inning of the game against Tulsa. When she got to first, she rounded the corner. Out of the circle waiting on the next batter, the TU pitcher was sort of stunned. Delgadillo got between first and second and basically invited herself into a pickle. She went back and fourth before getting back on at first. Everything seemed to be calmed down — then Delgadillo stepped off again. She was again toying with the Golden Hurricane defense. Tallen Edwards was on third and wasn’t able to get home, but no one got out either, as Delgadillo got back to first (then stole second on the next pitch).

After the game, Kenny Gajewski, who coaches at first, said it wasn’t planned, but he was open to seeing what it looked like. So, when Delgadillo asked to go, he let her.

“I feel like I just want to terrorize the other team as much as possible,” Delgadillo said. “… I gave (Gajewski) a look, and I was like, ‘Can I?’ And he was like, ‘Yeah, go for it.’ Then I did it the first time. After the second time I came back, he was like, ‘Stay. Stay here.'”

3. Gajewski Says the Already Impressive Meylan Has Another Gear

“She’s so close to getting over that last hump, and when she gets there, I promise you it’ll be a show to watch.”

That’s what Gajewski said about Ruby Meylan. If there is another gear to what Meylan can do, sheesh. She’s looked plenty good already.

Meylan pitched the Tulsa game and gave Tulsa little chance, allowing a single hit while striking out nine in four and two-thirds innings. Her ERA is down to a 1.34 this season, and she’s 8-0.

A junior, Meylan is already an All-American, an honor she picked up as a freshman at Washington. Earlier this week, Meylan won a pitching dual with Nebraska’s Jordy Bahl, who was an All-American and national champion at Oklahoma. The Cowgirls beat Nebraska 1-0, with Meylan throwing the whole game and giving up just two hits.

This isn’t the first time Gajewski has warned that she can jump another level. If he’s right, look out.

Kenny Gajewski’s Postgame News Conference