Oklahoma State Softball Sweeps Doubleheader From Shockers

Oklahoma State's Cowgirl softball team completed a doubleheader sweep of the Wichita State Shockers Thursday evening, defeating WSU 9-4 in the first game before successfully completing a run-rule victory with an 11-3 win in the nightcap.

OSU scored early and often in both games, slugging out 29 hits in the two contests. In game one, the Cowgirls had three doubles and a home run by Amy Graham. In the second contest, all 12 hits were singles.

Tiffany Mikkelson went 4-for-6 in the doubleheader with five runs batted in. Tamara Brown scored five runs in the two games while Shannon Kaufman scored four. Eight different Cowgirls scored a run in the two games.

Oklahoma State took a two-run lead in the first game in the top of the first, and added three more in the third, including two on Graham's homer. A run in the fourth, two more in the sixth and an insurance run in the seventh completed the Cowgirls scoring surge.

Wichita State scored four runs on four hits, with three solo home runs.

In game two, OSU took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first on three walks and two hits. The Cowgirls made it 4-0 in the second without the benefit of a hit thanks to three Shocker errors. Oklahoma State's offense then exploded in the third as OSU scored six runs on six hits, including five straight to start the frame. By the bottom half of the third, the Cowgirls led 10-0.

Wichita State scored one run in each of the third, fourth and fifth innings, the last eliminating the possibility of a run-rule after five. However, the Cowgirls added a run in the top of the sixth, and Kat Espinosa retired the Shockers in order in the bottom of the inning to end the game.

Espinosa, who started the first contest, threw seven innings over the two games, allowing four runs on five hits while walking one and striking out six. Simone Freeman started in the circle for OSU in the second game after wrapping up the first. She allowed three runs, two earned, on four hits while walking one and striking out seven in six innings.

Oklahoma State (28-22) will take a week off for finals before hosting the Texas Longhorns in a three-game series starting on Friday, May 3.