OSU Softball Wins Mizuno Classic, Extends Winning Streak

Coming into the Mizuno Classic on Friday, Oklahoma State had more questions than answers. After Sunday's 11-7 win over UMKC in the championship game, it seems all of them were answered.

On Friday, the Cowgirls took the field and hit the ball all over the place, winning 18-7 over Evansville in six innings due to a mercy rule. Then, just under an hour later, they competed against Connecticut and were defeated 8-2. The Cowgirls were led by Junior Tiffany Mikkelson, who hit a walk-off grand slam to dead center field against Evansville, and continued that offensive outburst all weekend long. But one looming question remained: can Oklahoma State bring the bats and that high-powered offense every game?

On Saturday they looked to prove the answer was yes, and a win over UMKC 8-7 showed exactly that. Freshman Jessi Hafner, in her first collegiate start, went the distance, throwing a complete game in the victory, as OSU outlasted the Kangaroos. With the win, OK State set up a rematch with the Evansville Aces in the semi final. Oklahoma State came out and made sure that the Aces wouldn't be getting revenge for the loss on Friday, and the Pokes outhit Evansville leading to a 8-2 victory setting up a date with the UMKC Kangaroos once again on Sunday at 11am.

On Sunday, Oklahoma State started Brandi Needham, and the bullpen was not needed. Brandi pitched a complete game, throwing 7 innings, allowing 7 runs (3 earned) and 9 hits which propelled the Cowgirls to an 11-7 victory. Freshman Maddi Holcomb raced around the bases and scored the first run of the game off a Michaela Patton single in the first, one of her 3 hits and 2 RBI on the day, and the Pokes never let up. Tiffany Mikkelson shined once again, grabbing another 3 RBI, sending one over the wall in left field for a home run in the 4th inning. The Cowgirls spread the wealth offensively on Sunday, garnering 13 hits from 8 different girls, and that parity helped push the Pokes to their 3rd consecutive victory.

Oklahoma State finished the weekend outscoring their opponents 47-31 and ended up with a 4-1 record, pushing their record to 9-12 on the season. They play again at home against Wichita State on Wednesday at 6pm, come out and support the Cowgirls!

-Tiffany Mikkelson at the plate against UMKC