Cowgirls Rally For Victory At Texas

A clutch two-out single by Tarah Ettinger helped the Oklahoma State score four runs in the top of the seventh inning to give the Cowgirls a dramatic 5-3 victory over Texas Friday evening at McCombs Field.

Texas (28-19, 7-4 Big 12) struck first in the bottom of the second inning when the Longhorns capitalized on a leadoff throwing error by Simone Freeman. With two outs, a base hit by Devon Tunning scored the pinch runner from second. Later in the inning, a two-run single to rightfield scored two more runs as Longhorns went up 3-0.

The Cowgirls (25-21, 5-9) got a run in the top of the fifth inning when Freeman singled to leftfield to score Shelby Davis to cut the Longhorn lead to 3-1.

In the top of the seventh, in what can be considered the most dramatic inning of the Cowgirl season, the Cowgirls scored four runs to take a 5-3 lead. The inning began with back-to-back base hits by Davis and Ari Morrison. Then with two outs, Ettinger singled to leftfield scoring Morrison and Freeman. On the play, interference was called, allowing Tiffany Mikkelson to score and advancing Ettinger to third. The next batter, Shianne Hughes, singled up the middle, scoring Ettinger to allow the Cowgirls to take a 5-3 lead.

Freeman (20-12) pitched seven innings, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out three en route to her 20th victory of the season.

At the plate, the Cowgirls strung together 10 hits, led by hits from Freeman, Ettinger and Hughes. Danielle Riddle, Davis and Hughes each had two hits for OSU.

The Cowgirls return to action tomorrow for game two of the series at 4 p.m. at McCombs Field.