Oklahoma State Splits Double Header In California

The Oklahoma State Cowgirls split the opening day of the Cathedral City Classic Thursday, falling 5-0 to Pacific in the early game, but knocking off BYU 3-2 in the second, with both games decided by a dominant pitching performance.

In the early game, Tigers' pitcher Nikki Armagost pitched a complete-game shutout for Pacific, giving up just four hits and two walks while striking out eight in the win. The Tigers took advantage of miscues from the Cowgirls early-on to take a lead.

The first run of the game was scored after an error from OSU third baseman Gessenia DeLaCruz, allowed Nicole Matson to score from third. In the second inning, after the first two batters reached, an error from Chelsea Garcia allowed both to move into scoring position and a single to left field in the next at bat scored both giving them a 3-0 lead.

In the second game, Kat Espinosa – the Cowgirls' ace – was dialed in for most of the game, pitching five shutout innings, allowing four hits and striking out 10 in the win. Her only run games of the game came in the top of the sixth, both unearned with two outs on the board. Julie Ward's error allowed the first unearned run on a throwing error and the second came in the next at-bat via a passed ball, giving BYU a 2-1 lead.

In the bottom half of the inning, with two on and two out, Tarah Ettinger doubled down the left field line, scoring Chelsea Garcia and Kelsea Schults to take a 3-2 lead.

Espinosa retired two of the next three batters, and Bailie Hicken was caught stealing to end the game.

The west coast tournament continues with a late double header for the Cowgirls, taking on Northwestern at 7:30 p.m. Friday before challenging Arizona at 10 p.m.