by STILLWATER, Okla. – The Wichita State softball team took down the #23 Oklahoma State Cowgirls, 5-3, for the first win over a ranked opponent since 2016 and the first in Stillwater since 2015. Madison Perrigan had two RBI with Paige Luellenand Asea Webber (Kickapoo/Cherokee) hitting solo home runs; Bailey Klitzke earned the win in the circle to move to 6-1 on the year.
After the first batter walked and then stole second, Bailey Lange, who started the game in the circle, knocked down the next two batters but an infield single got a Cowgirl home to give OSU an early 1-0 lead.
The Shockers tied it up instantly with Paige Luellen leading off the second by crushing a solo home run down the left field line; her fifth of the season and 32nd of her career. In the next at-bat Ryleigh Buck nearly made it back-to-back homers with a deep shot to left center that bounced just inside the outfield fence for a double. Madison Perrigan got her home with a base hit right up the middle to put Wichita State on top 2-1.
The Cowgirls got level in the bottom half of the second with a lead-off solo home run which was quickly followed by a deep triple to right center. A smart play by Mackenzie Wright at third to tag out the runner instead of throwing to first kept the Cowgirls at bay but an error, walk and fielder’s choice put Oklahoma State back up 3-2.
Klitzke replaced Lange in the circle in the fourth; knocking down the Cowgirls in order with a fly out, looking strikeout and 1-3 put out.
Asea Webber tied the game at 3-3 in the fifth with a solo home run over the right field fence; her second of the season. Wright followed up two batters later with a single right back up the middle to get a runner on but the second double play of the game got the Cowgirls out the inning.
In the bottom half Klitzke got her second looking strikeout before pitching herself into trouble with a hit by pitch and walk getting two on base. Her third looking strikeout of the game got her out the jam.
Laurie Derrico was hit by a pitch to lead off the sixth with Luellen singling through the left side to get two on base, Kaylee Huecker replaced her to run at first. Buck then reached first on a fielder’s choice with the bases becoming loaded through an error at second base. Klitzke earned her first career RBI with a groundout to the shortstop to give the Shockers a 4-3 lead with Derrico getting home. Perrigan made it five in the next at-bat with a sacrifice fly to right field to get Huecker home with a strikeout ending the top half.
Klitzke opened up the bottom half with a ground out but followed it up with a walk to get a runner at first. Another two walks loaded the bases with Lange re-entering to get the final out through a tag out by Wright at third.
Lange and the Shocker defense knocked down the Cowgirls in order to get the win and move to 18-12 on the season. The Shockers now travel to UConn for a three game series Thursday through Saturday in Storrs.
Way to go Schockers! Great win over a tough, ranked team.