Oklahoma State softball hosts Texas for top-10 showdown

Mar. 27—Oklahoma State is about to face its biggest test of the season so far.

With an impressive 27-5 record entering the last weekend of March, OSU has won all three of its Big 12 series so far.

However, the next obstacle in the way is No. 2 Texas, who heads into Stillwater with a 28-3 record ahead of this highly-touted three-game conference series beginning today.

This will be the final time these two teams meet as Big 12 foes with Texas' switch to the SEC after this season, but it's a series that is highly valued on both sides. One that has a good chance of continuing even after the split.

"I've been talking to Mike (White) about possibly playing a three-game series at some point in time or playing when we're coming through," OSU coach Kenny Gajewski said. "I want to keep those games up, they're not that far away. They're one of the best programs in the country, and we want to play those teams."

The recent history between Oklahoma State and Texas has been compelling. All time, Texas leads the series 26-25, but from 2017 on (Gajewski's second season at OSU), the Cowgirls have won 18 of 25, including super regional and WCWS victories over the Longhorns.

However, Texas has won the past five meetings, including two wins in the WCWS to send them to the WCWS finals.

"We have had a lot of really good games," Gajewski said. "We had a stretch where we won most of them and they've had a stretch now where they've been winning them. It's time for us to turn the tide."

This season, Texas has been one of the most dominant teams in college softball. With five wins over ranked teams this season and a complete roster of both youth and experience, the Longhorns are tough to beat.

The biggest advantage is their star-studded pitching staff. The projected Thursday starter is Junior Mac Morgan, who is just one of FIVE capable arms on the UT roster. Morgan was an All-Big 12 second-team selectee last year in her first season from Arizona State, and this season she has been the third best pitcher in the conference from an ERA standpoint behind OSU's Lexi Kilfoyl and Ivy Rosenberry.

The other two starting pitchers are Citlaly Gutierrez and Teagan Cavan, each of which has a sub-1.60 ERA.

All three starters have great command for the zone and keep hitters off balance. Cavan has the most strikeouts on the team with 68, but neither Gutierrez nor Morgan has more than 25 strikeouts.

Watch for Estelle Czech and Sophia Simpson out of the bullpen. Both of them have pitched more than 17.0 innings this season.

"I think it's the best and most complete staff in the country," Gajewski said. "They use them all. They all throw well."

Offensively, Texas is led by a barrage of elite hitters. The team's .391 average is the second best in the country behind Oklahoma, it has five different batters with an average above .400.

Sophomore catcher/first base Reese Atwood has garnered national attention for her elite power. Her 12 HR is the most in the conference and tied for seventh nationally.

Texas also has 56 stolen bases, the most in the conference. OSU catcher Caroline Wang has thrown out six baserunners this year. Her arm will be tested.

After a hitting slump spanning the course of several games, Oklahoma State's offense has found a spark with several changes to the batting order. Freshman Rosie Davis continues her impressive first season, and she's moved all the way to the top of the order as of late.

Fellow freshman Taylor Anderson has started in the nine spot for the past three games, and she has reached base safely in five of her eight plate appearances.

Behind a one-two punch of Kilfoyl and Rosenberry in the circle and a diverse offensive attack, the Cowgirls have won seven out of nine Big 12 games to start conference play and feel ready for the challenge ahead with Texas.

"They're beatable, just like us and anybody in the country is," Gajewski said. "You've gotta play well. You can't give them free stuff."

First pitch is set for Thursday night at 6 p.m. from Cowgirl Stadium. Game two will start at 7 p.m. on Friday and the series finale will begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

It will be OSU's first time hosting a top-two opponent since the Bedlam series last May. Gajewski and the Cowgirls are ready.

"I think our crowd is gonna be phenomenal," Gajewski said. "...We play well at home, we always have. That's gonna make this a lot of fun. I can't wait. I'm ready."