Nothing went right for Oklahoma State in its Women’s College World Series opener.
Florida State controlled the game from the start as it secured the 8-0 win over the 6-seeded Cowgirls on Thursday in Oklahoma City.
An extensive weather-delay pushed the start time back and kept the players waiting, but that didn’t faze the 3-seeded Seminoles and right-handed pitcher Kathryn Sandercock.
The NFCA Second Team All-American was sensational for Florida State, giving up no runs on four hits and four strikeouts in five innings pitched.
Mistakes that costed OSU at the end of the regular season showed up again on Thursday. The pitching staff surrendered five walks and seven hits against the Seminoles, including six hits from Kyra Aycock.
OSU’s offense didn’t do its part either against the Seminoles. The Cowgirls racked up only four hits and struck out five times, including two strikeouts from lead-off hitter Rachel Becker.
Kelly Maxwell got the start in the circle and had a short outing, giving up two runs on one hit with two walks and three strikeouts in two innings pitched.
OSU went quietly in the first inning as they went down in order, including strikeouts to Kiley Naomi and Chyenne Factor from Sandercock.
Catcher Michaela Edenfield made sure Florida State got out in front early in the first, launching a two-run home run over the left field wall, giving Florida State the early 2-0 lead.
After another lengthy weather-delay after the second inning, Factor got things going in the third after drawing a two-out walk, bringing up the red-hot Naomi for the Cowgirls.
The senior hit a liner up the middle, and then tried to stretch her single into a double. Center fielder Jahni Kerr made sure that didn’t happen as she threw Naomi out at second, ending any opportunity for OSU to cut the lead in the third.
Aycock came in for Maxwell in the third after the delay, and it was much of the same for Oklahoma State. She gave up five runs on five hits with three walks and three strikeouts in two innings pitched.
Kerr drew a one-out walk, and Kalei Harding hit a shot to the center field wall, setting up runners on second and third with one out.
The Seminoles got one home in the third off Devyn Flaherty’s ground ball that wasn’t fielded cleanly by Micaela Wark, scoring Kerr and extending the lead to 3-0.
Katelynn Carwile contributed to the Cowgirl offense in the fourth inning, hitting a one-out single through the right side of the infield.
But Sandercock remained poised, getting the next two outs and ending any threat of OSU getting runs across home plate.
Mack Leonard led things off for Florida State in the fourth, hitting a shot up the middle. Pinch-runner Autumn Belviy got the Seminoles in a scoring opportunity after she stole second base.
Hallie Wascaser walked and Katie Dack got the runners over with her sacrifice bunt, putting runners at second and third for the Seminoles.
Muffley caught OSU by surprise, dropping a bunt down the third base line. Wascaser scored before Taylor Tuck could apply the tag on her, increasing the Seminole lead to 4-0.
Kaley Mudge did major damage after that, hitting a three-run bomb that barely got over the left field wall, giving Florida State a 7-0 lead.
Megan Bloodworth brought some life for the Cowgirl offense, hitting a one-out single up the middle. Becker got on her with a bunt-single, putting runners in scoring position and a chance for OSU to get back in this game in the fifth inning.
Sandercock didn’t back down, securing the fly outs from Factor and Naomi to end the inning and any hope for Oklahoma State.
Kerr sealed the game in the sixth inning, hitting an RBI-single and giving Florida State the run-rule victory.
Oklahoma State’s season will be on the line on Friday when it takes on the loser between Washington and Utah at 8:30 p.m. at Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN.
