Oklahoma State lost some key veteran pieces in the infield. But as most coaches do, Kenny Gajewski regrouped and reloaded ahead of the 2023 season.
With experienced leadership and highly touted transfers, the infield is once again shaping up to be incredibly productive for the Cowgirls.
Leading the star-studded infield is super senior Kiley Naomi.
Naomi has started in all but four games in her career for the Cowgirls, posting a .224 batting average with 37 runs and 21 RBIs in 37 hits last season.
Naomi is stellar in the field as well as she produced a .942 fielding percentage last year.
Naomi’s play last year led to her being named Second Team All-Big 12 in 2022.
With all the accolades and accomplishments so far in her career, Naomi is looking for bigger things in 2023.
Another veteran in the infield will be super senior Morgan Wynne.
Wynne is coming off a .235 batting average last season, with nine RBIs and 16 hits.
Wynne is also one of eight Cowgirls that had a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage last year. She is looking to do the same at first base this year for the Cowgirls.
One of the top-transfers Oklahoma State added resides at second base in Rachel Becker.
Becker comes from Purdue, where she produced back-to-back .400 or better batting averages the past two years.
Last year was Becker’s best year as she played in all 44 games resulting in 43 runs, 17 RBIs and 66 hits for the Boilermakers.
Becker’s season led to honors as she was named to NFCA Third Team All-America last season. Her and Naomi will make for an amazing duo for the middle infield this year.
Another talented transfer is sophomore Megan Bloodworth.
Bloodworth comes from Alabama, where in her freshman year racked up 30 RBIs and 31 hits for the Crimson Tide.
Bloodworth’s hitting season was combined with a good fielding season. Bloodworth had a .975 fielding percentage last year for the Tide.
Earning NFCA Second Team All-Region honoree, Bloodworth will be a strong third baseman for the Cowgirls this season.
Micaela Wark and Sophie Page also transfer from other schools to Oklahoma State.
Wark red-shirted her freshman year at Kansas. Gajewski will look to use her in the lineup in different spots this year.
Page comes from UAB, where she played 42 games in her career recording 11 hits in the 2022 season. She will be looking for opportunities at multiple spots in the infield this year for the Cowgirls.
The OSU Cowgirl infield is stacked once again. Expect this area in the field to lead them to a fourth-consecutive WCWS appearance.