STILLWATER — Oklahoma State had opportunities on Friday, but couldn’t take advantage of them.
The Cowgirls scored three runs in the first and that was all as they lost 8-3 to the Sooners in game one of the series in Stillwater.
“We just couldn’t keep the momentum at any point,” OSU coach Kenny Gajewski said.
“We are kind of in a low place right now,” center fielder Chyenne Factor said. “So we are just talking, picking each other up.”
The Cowgirls gave too many free bases to Oklahoma on Friday. OSU had nine walks, including three hit batters. The walks are the most walks in a game this season.
“Obviously it’s pretty easy to see that when you give 12 free passes to the best offense in the country, that is what’s going to happen,” Gajewski said. “I can’t remember a game that we pitched like that in a long time here.”
Maxwell got the start in the circle and did not have her best outing, giving up four runs on three hits, five walks and five strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings pitched.
The senior’s outing did not start well as she gave up three walks, including a bases-loaded walk that scored Tiare Jennings, putting OU up 1-0.
Rachel Becker and Kiley Naomi drew walks to start the bottom of the first. After Micaela Wark hit a pop-out to first base, Chyenne Factor stepped in.
The senior got that run back and some more as Factor hit a three-run home run over the left field wall, giving OSU the 3-1 lead.
THIS AIN'T CHYENNE FACTOR'S FIRST BEDLAM.
B1 | OU 1 – OSU 3#AllOne | #GoPokes | 📺 ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/xMk2o4C6nW
— OSU Cowgirl Softball (@cowgirlsb) May 5, 2023
“I knew I hit it good and I knew it was out,” Factor said. “Gave us some momentum at that point, but I mean, we gotta carry it on to the other innings.”
OU matched that in the second with Cydney Sanders’ two-out three-run shot to center field, retaking the lead 4-3.
The Sooners had something cooking with two outs as Haley Lee and Sophia Nugent drew walks. Maxwell didn’t get fazed as she got the fly-out to right field to end the top of the third.
Lexi Kilfoyl came in for OSU in the fourth. It was her first time to face Oklahoma and it didn’t go well, giving up two runs on four hits, three walks and no strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings pitched.
OSU looked to get something going in the fifth as Morgyn Wynne attempted to steal second off a wild pitch by Bahl, but Sooner catcher Kinzie Hansen caught the ball off the backstop, fired a laser to second and caught Wynne stealing, ending any momentum for the Cowgirls in the fourth.
Oklahoma got one in the fifth after Alynah Torres’ one-out RBI-single, scoring Grace Lyons and increasing the lead to 5-3.
The Sooners looked to get one more off Jennings ground ball to third, but third baseman Megan Bloodworth made a great play to get Rylie Boone out at home.
Bloodworth got hit by the pitch to start the Cowgirl’s half of the inning. After Tallen Edwards reached on base off her infield single, Naomi stepped in with runners on first and second with one out.
Naomi didn’t capitalize on the opportunity as Jordy Bahl struck her and Wark out to end any opportunity OSU had in the fifth.
Oklahoma added one in the sixth after Alyssa Brito’s solo home run to left field, putting OU up 6-3.
The Sooners tried to add more in the inning off Boone’s fly-ball to left field, but Edwards made an incredible diving catch, ending the inning for the Cowgirls.
The Cowgirls turned to Ivy Rosenberry and it was more of the same, giving up two runs on three hits with no strikeouts.
OU increased the lead in the seventh after Jennings’ RBI-single scored Nugent, making it 7-3.
The Sooners added more after Jocelyn Erickson’s RBI-double, scoring Jennings and giving Oklahoma the 8-3 lead.
OSU managed to do nothing in the seventh, ending the game and losing to the Sooners
Oklahoma State will look to get on back on the Sooner as game two of the series is on Saturday at 4 p.m. in Stillwater. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN.
