Cowgirls Extend Winning Streak to 16

Sunday, April 18

Lawrence, Kan.

12:00 PM

Oklahoma State University

39-7, 9-0

Kansas

18-26, 1-10

Oklahoma State

Kansas

Julie Ward caught a line drive down the rightfield line to preserve the Cowgirls' 4-3 win.

April 18, 2010 | Cowgirl Softball

Box Score

April 18, 2010

Final Stats

Lawrence, Kan. -- Oklahoma State's ninth-ranked softball team extended its winning streak to 16 games with a 4-3 win over Kansas here Sunday afternoon at Arrocha Ballpark. The streak ties for the sixth-longest string in school history.

The Cowgirls scored two runs in the top of the first on a pair of hits and two costly Jayhawk errors. With one out, Katelyn Bright walked and advanced to second on a passed ball. An infield single by Alysia Hamilton moved Bright to third, and she scored on a base hit to centerfield by Julie Ward.

With two outs, Megan Castle followed Ward with a slow roller to first base. Amanda Jobe misplayed the ball, and made matters worse by quickly throwing the ball to Sara Ramirez, covering from second. Hamilton scored on the play, giving OSU a 2-0 lead.

OSU added a run in the second. With runners on second and third and two outs, Ward hit a drive to right field, scoring Chelsea Garcia. Kelsey Anchors was thrown out at the plate by rightfielder Rosie Hull trying to score from second.

Kansas cut into the lead in the fifth. With two outs, Marissa Ingle hit a solo home run over the leftfield fence, her fifth of the season. The earned run broke a streak of 46 consecutive innings thrown by Cowgirl freshman Kat Espinosa without allowing an earned run.

The Jayhawks made it interesting in the sixth. Rosie Hull led off with a single and Brittany Hile was hit by a pitch. With two outs, Jobe returned to the game and pinch hit for Irwin and hit a long fly ball to centerfield. Kelsey Anchors was able to get under the ball, but fumbled it away, allowing two runs to score and cut the deficit to 4-3.

Senior hurler Anna Whiddon came on in relief, and after giving up a base hit to Allie Clark, Ingle hit a line drive that was snagged by Ward just inside the line at first base. Whiddon threw the final inning and picked up her league-leading sixth save of the season.

Oklahoma State (39-7 overall, 9-0 Big 12) will return to action on Tuesday night as the Cowgirls host the Wichita State Shockers at 7 p.m. at Cowgirl Stadium.