Clutch Hitting Fuels No.3 Oklahoma State to Series Victory Over No. 6 Florida State

STILLWATER — Katelynn Carwile’s double delivered the go-ahead run for Oklahoma State as they got the 3-2 victory on Sunday. 

OSU’s offense came to life in the sixth after trailing since the first inning to give them their second straight win over the No. 6-ranked Seminoles at Cowgirl Stadium. 

Needing a win on Sunday to clinch the series, Oklahoma State turned to the junior to finally get over the hump.

“It was honestly something we needed to just break it open,” Carwile said after the game. “We do really great things when we all believe in each other.”

The No. 3-ranked Cowgirls moved to 20-2 on the season while Florida State dropped to 21-5 after the defeat. 

“It was a good softball game,” Gajeski said. “Very proud of our team today.”

Lexi Kifoyl started in the circle for the Cowgirls, and was amazing, giving up one hit with seven strikeouts and six walks in 6 2/3 innings pitched.

“Defense had my back for sure today,” Kilfoyl said. “The offense came through when we needed it.” 

But it didn’t start out all too well for the senior in the first.

Florida State’s Kalei Harding hit a double into right field that put runners on second and third.

Michaela Edenfield recorded the second out, but scored the runner at third after she reached on a fielder’s choice, putting the Seminoles up 1-0.

That’s where it ended after Kilfoyl got a big strikeout to end the inning.

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Micaela Wark was the first base runner for OSU after she reached on a Seminoles error in the second inning.

After a Chyenne Factor sacrifice bunt put runners on second and third with one out, the Cowgirls didn’t take advantage of the opportunity, ending the inning with no runs. 

The Seminoles got runners on first and second to start the third, but the Cowgirl defense stood tall to end the inning.

OSU started the bottom of the third strong as Rachel Bekcer hit a one-out double after the ball was mishandled by the Seminoles Krystina Hartley. 

After Talen Edwards drew a walk, the Cowgirls were in a good position to get a run on the board.

It was all for nothing as Kiley Naomi hit into a double play to end any opportunity for OSU.

The fourth inning started promising for Florida State, but then ended just as quick as it started.

After Katie Dack reached on an error, Kilfoyl struckout Jahni Kerr, which then led to Tayor Tuck throwing out Dack at first to get the double play.

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Kilfoyl kept her strong performance going in the sixth as she struck out all three batters she faced, making quick work in the inning. 

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The Cowgirls were held scoreless in the fourth and fifth innings, but that changed in the sixth. 

Edwards got it rolling with a single into center field, bringing up Naomi.

Naomi did the same thing with a single up the middle, setting up a RBI spot for Wark.

Wark grounded out, but scored the Edwards making it a tie ball game 1-1.

Carwile’s key hit put the Cowgirls up 2-1.

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Factor kept it rolling, shooting a single into left field, scoring Carwile and increasing the lead 3-1.

Gajweski was proud of what Carwile did on Sunday.

“She’s a tough kid,” Gajewski said. “She answered because she is a tough kid and she’s prepared and she has done the things that she needs to.”

The Seminoles didn’t go away quietly in the seventh as they got runners on first and second to start the inning.

Kelly Maxwell then came on for Kilfoyl and shut the door on Florida State. 

Kaley Mudge got one back for Florida State as she hit a single to Edwards, making it 3-2. 

After that, Devyn Flaherty popped out and Edenfield grounded out to end the game for the Cowgirls. 

Oklahoma State left seven runners on base throughout the contest, but were ultimately able to pull through in the sixth inning to win the battle. 

“I’m glad when we can win and we can learn still,” Gajewski said. 

With UCLA getting run-rule by California on Saturday, OSU could move to No. 2 in the polls after winning two of three over Florida State.

The Cowgirls will look to build off the series win when they travel to play Central Arkansas on Wednesday at 6 p.m.