No. 16 Softball swept in Sunday doubleheader at No. 6/7 Oklahoma State

Sunday, April 24

Stillwater, Okla.

11 a.m. CT

University of Texas

32-14-1, 7-4

#6/7 Oklahoma State

37-7, 13-1

Texas

Oklahoma State

No. 16 Softball swept in Sunday doubleheader at No. 6/7 Oklahoma State

04.24.2022 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Senior Janae Jefferson became the new Big 12 career hits record holder with a 3-for-4 effort in the finale

STILLWATER, Okla. – On a Sunday afternoon at Cowgirl Stadium that saw senior second baseman Janae Jefferson break the Big 12 Conference career hits record, missed opportunities proved the major theme as No. 16 Texas softball (32-15-1, 7-5 Big 12) stranded 11 combined base runners, including eight in the doubleheader finale, while dropping 3-0 and 2-1 decisions to No. 6/7 Oklahoma State (38-7, 14-1 Big 12).

Notes

Jefferson's fourth-inning bunt single in game two marked the 333rd hit of her illustrious career, breaking the Big 12 Conference career hits record formerly held by Iowa State standout Sami Williams.
With a walk in the opener and a 3-for-4 effort in the finale, Jefferson stretched her season-long reached base streak to 14 games.
The Longhorns pitching staff limited Oklahoma State's powerful offense to just a .157 combined batting average over the three-game series.
Sophomore designated player Jordyn Whitaker went 2-for-3 in game two to tie both her 2022 season and career high for hits.
Texas still leads its all-time series over Oklahoma State by a 36-31 total, while the two teams are now tied at 16-16 in Stillwater match-ups.

Major Players

Game One:

Junior right fielder Lou Gilbert (1-for-2); freshman left fielder Katie Cimusz (1-for-2)

Game Two:

Senior second baseman Janae Jefferson (3-for-4, run, double); sophomore designated player Jordyn Whitaker (2-for-3); junior first baseman McKenzie Parker (1-for-4, double); Cimusz (sac fly, RBI)

In the Circle

Game One:

Freshman Sophia Simpson (6-4) took the loss after allowing three earned runs on three hits with two walks and five strikeouts over 6.0 innings of work.

Game Two:

Senior Hailey Dolcini (14-7) suffered a tough defeat after permitting just one earned run on two hits with a walk and seven strikeouts over 6.0 frames.

The Details

Game One:

It was Oklahoma State that strung together the game's first threat in the bottom of the second as catcher Julia Cottrill and center fielder Chyenne Factor managed consecutive one-out singles. The duo moved up 60 feet into scoring position on a wild pitch, by Simpson induced a fly out to center to escape the frame with no damage.

Texas got its own scoring opportunity going in the top of the third as consecutive singles from Gilbert and Cimusz to start the frame and a one-out Jefferson walk loaded the bases. Unfortunately the Horns missed a huge chance for a breakthrough as OSU starter Miranda Elish battled her way out of the jam on consecutive strikeouts.

The Cowgirls eventually did grab the advantage in the bottom of the third. A Chelsea Alexander lead-off walk, a sac bunt, a wild pitch, a hit batter and a groundout to first led to the game's initial run. With a runner at second, Elish stepped into the box with two outs and drove a two-run HR to right center for a 3-0 lead.

Neither team had another base runner until Elish reached on a Texas fielding error with one out in the bottom of the sixth. The Cowgirls couldn't add to their advantage, however, as a runner left early call and Simpson's fourth K of the contest concluded the inning.

Senior catcher Mary Iakopo came desperately close to a leadoff HR in the top of the seventh, but her towering fly to left was driven straight into the wind and ended up caught against the fence. After another fly ball to left, Elish left the game with an apparent injury and was replaced by Kelly Maxwell. The new hurler quickly brought an end to the proceedings by inducing a fly out to center.

Game Two:

Texas wasted no time getting a scoring chance started in the final game of the series as a Jefferson leadoff single to center, a Parker double to left center and a hit batter packed the bags with two down. Once again, Oklahoma State managed to escape trouble as a strikeout left the trio stranded.

The Cowgirls grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second as catcher Julia Cottrill hit a HR the other way over the wall in right.

With Texas looking to answer right back, Jefferson blooped a ball to left that dropped in for a double to tie the Big 12 Conference career hits record. After a UT lineout to left, Iakopo laced a single through the left side of the infield to station runners at the corners with still only one out. Cimusz stepped into the box and launched a high drive to left that proved deep enough for a sacrifice fly as Jefferson raced home to tie the game at 1-1. The Longhorns eventually loaded the bases with two outs for the second time in the first three innings, but another K raised Texas' left stranded total to six.

A Chelsea Alexander one-out bunt single opened the door for the Cowgirls to plate an unearned run and grab back the lead at 2-1 in the bottom of the third. A ball was chopped up the middle and misplayed at second for an error as the Cowgirls boasted runners at the corners. Second baseman Brianna Evans took off for second, but was cut down on a strong throw by Iakopo. A toss back to the plate proved just late, however, as Alexander slid under the tag to give OSU a 2-1 advantage.

In the top of the fourth, Jefferson made history as the Humble, Texas, product dropped a perfect, two-out bunt single out in front of the plate for her 333rd career hit to break the Big 12 Conference career hits record.

Oklahoma State ace Kelly Maxwell was summoned into the circle to start the sixth and immediately allowed a leadoff single to Whitaker on a hot shot to third. A sacrifice bunt by sophomore pinch hitter Camille Corona moved pinch runner Alyssa Popelka into scoring position, but a K and a grounder to third left her stranded.

With one last chance to extend the contest, Texas went down in order as Maxwell completed OSU's 2-1 win.