Oklahoma State Takes Two In Mizuno Classic

The Oklahoma State softball team won a pair of games Friday on the opening day of the 2013 Mizuno Classic. The Cowgirls run-ruled Santa Clara, 9-0, in five innings and turned around to beat Northern Iowa, 1-0, in the nightcap.

Oklahoma State (9-12) dominated game one from the first pitch. The 9-0 victory over Santa Clara was the most runs scored by OSU this season.

The Cowgirls scored five runs in the top of the first inning. Senior Samantha Chrisman, who was 1-for-2 with four RBIs, belted a three-run homer to left field in the opening inning and the Cowgirls cruised to the win. Oklahoma State had nine hits in the game with seven different starters getting at least one.

OSU rallied again in the third inning, adding its final four runs. Sophomore Taylor Woodall provided the power for the Cowgirls, hitting her second home run of the year. Woodall and Tamara Brown both had two hits in the game. Brown was 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Woodall had three RBIs and scored while going 2-for-3 at the plate.

Junior Simone Freeman pitched a complete-game shutout against Broncos (2-14). Freeman was in complete control throughout, earning her sixth win of the year. In five innings of work, she had five strikeouts, no walks and allowed a hit.

In game two, OSU and Northern Iowa were in a full out pitcher's duel. The game was scoreless until the Cowgirls scored in the bottom of the sixth inning. Tarah Ettinger led off the inning with a single to right field. Shannon Kaufman, who entered the game as a pinch runner for Ettinger, would score the game-winning run on an RBI double by Tiffany Mikkelson. Mikkelson was 1-for-2 with the lone RBI.

Senior Kat Espinosa (3-6) earned the win against UNI (8-14). Espinosa pitched the full seven-inning shutout, allowing four hits, striking out six and not giving up a walk.

The Cowgirls continue play at the Mizuno Classic tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. when they play Cleveland State.