A look back at 2019
Oklahoma State finished the 2019 season with a 45-17 overall record, including a 13-5 mark in Big 12 conference play. The Cowgirls performed well at home, with an 18-3 record, and posted a 14-7 showing in road games.
The Cowgirls opened the season with a loss to Illinois, losing twice in each of the next two weekends. OSU recorded wins over Kentucky and Arizona State during the same first three weeks, but made a major statement with a 3-game series sweep over Oregon in Eugene. The Cowgirls also dropped non-conference matchups to Ole Miss, Tulsa, and UT-Arlington through the rest of non-conference play.
In Big 12 play, the Cowgirls started with a 3-game set against Baylor, recording a pair of lopsided run-rule victories that bookended a surprise loss to the Bears in game two of the series. The Cowgirls followed by winning their next four conference series’, a streak that included series sweeps over Kansas, Iowa State, and Texas Tech, as well as a run-rule victory over Texas as part of the series win over the Longhorns.
After beating Texas for the third time in four tries to start the Big 12 tournament, the Cowgirls finished the rain-shortened tournament 2-0, with a dominant run-rule win over Iowa State another impressive showing for the club.
Selected as the #13 overall seed in the NCAA tournament, the Cowgirls started their regional a day earlier than most and went 3-0 to secure a spot in the Super Regionals. Paired up with Florida State in the Tallahassee Super Regional, the Cowgirls took game one of the series, but dropped the second game. In the winner-take-all final game, the Cowgirls pulled out a 3-2 victory to reach the Women’s College World Series.
After starting the WCWS with a win over Florida, OSU then dropped a Bedlam rematch to Oklahoma and a pitcher’s duel against Washington to see their season come to an end.
Roster turnover
Departures: Graduation hit the Cowgirls hard, with a number of starters and impact players earning their diplomas. That list included pitcher & viral star Samantha Show; slugging infielder Madi Sue Montgomery; outfielder Rylee Bayless; pitcher Samantha Clakley; and utility player Taylor Lynch, of whom Kenny Gajewski made special mention in his season-ending press conference.
Additions: The Cowgirls earned the moniker of Transfer U during the offseason, with a number of high-profile additions joining the club via the transfer portal. Former Virginia Tech pitcher Carrie Eberle; ex-Georgia standout Alysen Febrey; and former Virginia infielder Hayley Busby all transferred to Stillwater during the offseason.
Strengths and weaknesses
Strengths – Samantha Show was a major catalyst to greatness that many didn’t think the Cowgirls had in them, but the team played lights-out when it mattered, in conference and in the postseason, and earned their way to Oklahoma City. The team returns some bright young stars, including Chyenne Factor, and their transfer class is talented and fairly well-proven.
Weaknesses – The seniors that graduated after last season will not be easily replaced, especially Show and Montgomery. The Cowgirls need some pitching depth behind Eberle, who figures to slot in immediately as the pitching ace. The squad will also have to battle the stigma of being simply a “one-hit wonder”.
2020 outlook
Pitching – Eberle spent the first three seasons of her career at Virginia Tech, and now figures to be the ace of the Cowgirls’ staff. She is joined in the circle by senior Logan Simunek – a solid contributor in her own right – and former Tennessee transfer Gabby Sprang.
Offense –The Cowgirls return Chyenne Factor, who led the team with a .338 batting average in 2019, but lost two of their top three hitters in Samantha Show and Madi Sue Montgomery. Look for step-out roles from underclassmen Michaela Richbourg and Kiley Naomi. Former Georgia standout Alysen Febrey and ex-Virginia star Hayley Busby both headed to Stillwater via transfer over the summer, and both should have prominent roles in the batting order.
Coaching – Kenny Gajewski did a bang-up job by leading the Cowgirls to the WCWS last season, and has capitalized on the transfer portal since its inception, bettering his team with a number of high-profile additions who carry collegiate experience. His biggest coup, though, might be the addition of former Tulsa head coach John Bargfeldt as an assistant coach, pulling one of the game’s most underrated coaching minds into the Cowgirls’ program. In addition to Bargfeldt, Gajewski’s staff consists of fellow assistant coach Jeff Cottrill and volunteer assistant Tiffany Mikkelson, as well as Director of Operations Stacie Pestrak, who transitioned from an on-field coaching role over the summer.
Wrap-up
Not many folks expected the Cowgirls to make a World Series run to end the 2019 season, but the program reached new heights during the campaign, capitalizing on a breakout season from Samantha Show and others. The Cowgirls showed that they’re a real factor in the national race, as well as in the Big 12 conference shootout, and now look to establish staying power as championship contenders. Keep an eye on the team’s offensive attack, and the team’s pitching staff of Eberle and Co. will be a big factor in determining what the Cowgirls’ fortunes look like in 2020.
