Oklahoma State Cowgirls softball
| Oklahoma State Cowgirls softball | |
|---|---|
| 2025 Oklahoma State Cowgirls softball team | |
| Founded | 1975 (50 years ago) |
| University | Oklahoma State University–Stillwater |
| Head coach | Kenny Gajewski (9th season) |
| Conference | Big 12 |
| Location | Stillwater, OK |
| Home stadium | Cowgirl Stadium (Capacity: 750) |
| Nickname | Cowgirls |
| Colors | Orange and black[1] |
| NCAA WCWS appearances | |
| 1982, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1994, 1998, 2011, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | |
| AIAW WCWS appearances | |
| 1977, 1980, 1981, 1982 | |
| NCAA super regional appearances | |
| 2011, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | |
| NCAA Tournament appearances | |
| 1982, 1984, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | |
| Conference tournament championships | |
| Big Eight 1980, 1981, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 Big 12 2022 | |
| Regular-season conference championships | |
| Big Eight 1980, 1981, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 | |
The Oklahoma State Cowgirls softball team represents Oklahoma State University–Stillwater in NCAA Division I college softball. The team participates in the Big 12 Conference. The Cowgirls are currently led by head coach Kenny Gajewski. The team plays its home games at Cowgirl Stadium located on the university's campus.[2]
History
1977 AIAW College World Series
The 1977 Oklahoma State softball team was the first Oklahoma State team to reach the Women's College World Series, going 25–13 and representing the Big Eight Conference in Omaha. The Cowgirls fell in the opening game to Kansas before rebounding to defeat Southern Illinois for the first Women's College World Series win in program history. The Cowgirls were eliminated from the tournament after a loss to Missouri State.
1980 AIAW College World Series
The 1980 Oklahoma State softball team won the Big Eight tournament title en route to a 34–20 record and second Women's College World Series qualification. In Norman, the Cowgirls rattled off two quick wins against Western Michigan and Cal Poly Pomona to move into the national quarterfinals. After being shutout by Indiana, Oklahoma State was elimimated after falling in a rematch to Western Michigan.
1981 AIAW College World Series
The 1981 Oklahoma State softball team was the first team in the history of the program to win 40 games in a season, going 40–16 and winning another Big Eight tournament title. At the program's third Women's College World Series, the Cowgirls opened with a win over Michigan State before being defeated by Missouri. Oklahoma State was then unable to stave off elimination, falling to UCLA to end the season.
1982 AIAW College World Series
The 1982 Oklahoma State softball team qualified for both the AIAW Women's College World Series and the NCAA Women's College World Series with a 35–19 record. In Norman for the program's fourth Women's College World Series trip, the Cowgirls cruised through the first three games, notching shutout wins against Western Illinois, Utah and California to earn a spot in the national semifinals. Oklahoma State would then punch their ticket to the national championship series with a one-run victory over Michigan. Facing off in the national championship series against Texas A&M, the Cowgirls needed just one win to claim the national title. Oklahoma State was unable to find it though, falling to the Aggies twice and being forced to settle for a national runner–up finish.
1982 Women's College World Series
Just two days after a heartbreaking national runner–up finish in Norman, Oklahoma State competed in the inaugural NCAA Women's College World Series in Omaha. The program's fifth Women's College World Series trip was a short one however, falling in extra inning contests to eventual national champion UCLA and Fresno State to end the season.
1989 Women's College World Series
The 1989 Oklahoma State softball team was one of the most dominant in school history, going 46–6 en route to winning both Big Eight regular season and tournament titles. In the Stillwater Regional, the Cowgirls swept Wichita State in the two games to punch their sixth trip to the Women's College World Series. In Sunnyvale, Oklahoma State began their tournament with a win over Toledo before picking up another win over Arizona in extra innings. The Cowgirls were unable to find the win column again, dropping a close game to eventual national champion UCLA before being elimimated with a blowout loss to Fresno State.
1990 Women's College World Series
The 1990 Oklahoma State softball team went 43–11 and won both Big Eight regular season and tournament titles for the second straight year. The Cowgirls would punch their seventh ticket to the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City with a win over Adelphi in the Storrs Regional. In the Women's College World Series, the Cowgirls picked up two quick wins over Arizona and Florida State to move into the national semifinals. In a repeat of the previous year, Oklahoma State would again be elimimated from the tournament after a loss to eventual national champion UCLA and then to Fresno State in extra innings.
1993 Women's College World Series
The 1993 Oklahoma State softball team went 50–9, becoming the second team in program history to reach 50 wins en route to winning the Big Eight regular season title. The Cowgirls would sweep Utah State in the Stillwater Regional to clinch the eighth Women's College World Series appearance in program history. In Oklahoma City, Oklahoma State began their tournament run with a win over Florida State in the opening game. The Cowgirls would continue with a victory in extra innings over top-seeded UCLA, before falling in extra innings to eventual national champion Arizona. Oklahoma State would then be elimimated after being shutout by UCLA in a rematch.
1994 Women's College World Series
The 1994 Oklahoma State softball team went 46–12, winning another Big Eight regular season title with a dominant 15–3 conference record. In the Stillwater Regional, the Cowgirls would win three one-run games over Providence and rival Oklahoma to clinch the program's ninth Women's College World Series appearance. In Oklahoma City, a loss in extra innings to Utah would push Oklahoma State to the edge of elimination. However, the Cowgirls would battle back, grabbing wins over Missouri and Fresno State to make their way back to the national semifinals. Needing two wins against Cal State Northridge to stay alive, Oklahoma State notched a victory in 15 innings before losing a close game to the Matadors, and were eliminated.
1998 Women's College World Series
The 1998 Oklahoma State softball team went 42–19 with a 9–7 conference record. The Cowgirls hosted the Stillwater Regional and opened with a pair of shutout victories over Florida State and Missouri State. Oklahoma State would notch their third–straight shutout victory in a win over Stanford, punching their ticket to the Women's College World Series for the 10th time in program history. In Oklahoma City, the Cowgirls opened the tournament with a one-run loss to Arizona to enter the losers bracket. Oklahoma State would stave off elimination twice, blowing out UMass and winning a close game over Michigan to fight their way into the national semifinals. Needing to beat Arizona twice, the Cowgirls failed to win once, being eliminated with a shutout loss to the Wildcats.
2011 Women's College World Series
The 2011 Oklahoma State softball team went 42–20 with an 8–10 conference record. In the Knoxville Regional, the Cowgirls began their postseason run with a one-run win over Georgia Tech before knocking off host Tennessee twice to advance to the Stillwater Super Regional. Oklahoma State would defeat Houston in three games to advance to Oklahoma City for the 11th time. In the Women's College World Series, the Cowgirls would lose a one-run contest against Big 12 rival Baylor before being elimimated with a blowout loss to California.
2019 Women's College World Series
The 2019 Oklahoma State softball team went 45–17 with a 13–5 conference record. Hosting the Stillwater Regional, the Cowgirls began their tournament with a tight win over BYU before knocking off rival Tulsa twice to advance. In the Tallahassee Super Regional against Florida State, Oklahoma State won an extremely competitive series in three games and advanced to the Women's College World Series for the 12th time in program history. In Oklahoma City, the Cowgirls continued their run with an upset win over Florida before a Bedlam showdown with Oklahoma. The Sooners would cruise to an easy win, and Oklahoma State was later elimimated after a one-run loss to Washington.
2021 Women's College World Series
The 2021 Oklahoma State softball team went 48–12 with a 15–3 conference record. Hosting the Stillwater Regional as the 5th seed nationally, the Cowgirls cruised with a dominant win over Campbell and a pair of blowout victories over Mississippi State. In the Stillwater Super Regional, Oklahoma State would outlast Texas in three games to punch their ticket to Oklahoma City for the 13th time. In the Women's College World Series, the Cowgirls began their run with a win over Georgia before suffering a major upset loss at the hands of James Madison. Oklahoma State would lose again in a close game to Florida State, ending their season.
2022 Women's College World Series
The 2022 Oklahoma State softball team went 48–14 with a 14–4 conference record, winning the first Big 12 conference tournament title with a victory over Bedlam rival Oklahoma. In the Stillwater Regional, the Cowgirls picked up a blowout win over Fordham before adding a pair of victories over Nebraska and North Texas to advance. In the Stillwater Super Regional, Oklahoma State swept Clemson in two games to advance to the 14th Women's College World Series in program history. In Oklahoma City, the Cowgirls opened with a pair of close wins over Arizona and Florida, moving just one win away from the national championship series. Oklahoma State was unable to find it, falling to Texas twice and being eliminated in heartbreaking fashion.
2023 Women's College World Series
The 2023 Oklahoma State softball team went 47–16 with a 10–8 conference record. The Cowgirls opened the Stillwater Regional with a pair of shutout victories over UMBC and Wichita State before defeating Nebraska to advance. In the Stillwater Super Regional, Oklahoma State would demolish Oregon, outscoring them 17–1 over two games and punching their ticket to Oklahoma City for the 15th time. In the Women's College World Series, the Cowgirls suffered a blowout loss to Florida State to enter the losers bracket. Oklahoma State would stave off elimination against Utah in a dominant victory, but would be elimimated after a close loss to Tennessee.
2024 Women's College World Series
The 2024 Oklahoma State softball team went 49–12 with a 21–6 conference record. In the Stillwater Regional, the Cowgirls would open with a shutout win over Northern Colorado before adding two comfortable wins over Kentucky and Michigan to advance. In the Stillwater Super Regional, Oklahoma State would once again find complete dominance, cruising by Arizona in two games to reach the program's 16th Women's College World Series. The Cowgirls would struggle to find scoring in Oklahoma City, falling in a pitchers' duel to Florida before being obliterated by Stanford in a shutout loss, ending the season.
Coaching history
| Years | Coach | Record | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975–1976 | Pauline Winter | 27–6 | .818 |
| 1977 | Brenda Johnson | 25–13 | .658 |
| 1978 | Paula Jantz | 24–16 | .600 |
| 1979–2001 | Sandy Fischer | 901–374–3 | .706 |
| 2002–2006 | Margaret Rebenar | 151–119 | .559 |
| 2007–2015 | Rich Wieligman | 275–227 | .548 |
| 2016–present | Kenny Gajewski | 400–169 | .703 |
| Reference: [3] | |||
Current coaching staff
| Name | Position coached | Consecutive season at Oklahoma State |
Consecutive season in current position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenny Gajewski | Head coach | 9th | 9th |
| Carrie Eberle | Assistant coach / Pitching Coach |
1st | 1st |
| Vanessa Shippy-Fletcher | Assistant coach / Recruiting Coordinator |
4th | 1st |
| Greg Bergeron | Assistant coach / Defensive Coordinator |
1st | 1st |
| Katie Norris | Director of Operations and Player Development |
3rd | 3rd |
| Chance Marek | Strength & Conditioning Coach | 3rd | 3rd |
| Mike Barlow | Athletic Trainer | 2nd | 1st |
| Jesse Martin | Senior Associate AD / External Affairs / Sport Administrator |
17th | 10th |
| Reference: [4] | |||
Season-by-season results
| Big Eight (1975–1996) | ||||||||
| Year | Head Coach | Overall Record | Conference Record | Conference Standing | Postseason | Final Ranking | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Pauline Winter | 9–5 | – | – | – | – | ||
| 1976 | Pauline Winter | 18–1 | – | – | – | – | ||
| 1977 | Brenda Johnson | 25–13 | – | – | AIAW WCWS | – | ||
| 1978 | Paula Jantz | 24–16 | – | 6th | – | – | ||
| 1979 (Spring) | Sandy Fischer | 24–17 | – | 2nd | – | – | ||
| 1979 (Fall) | Sandy Fischer | 10–6 | – | – | – | – | ||
| 1980 (Spring) | Sandy Fischer | 34–20 | – | 1st | AIAW WCWS | – | ||
| 1980 (Fall) | Sandy Fischer | 16–7 | – | – | – | – | ||
| 1981 (Spring) | Sandy Fischer | 40–16 | – | 1st | AIAW WCWS | – | ||
| 1981 (Fall) | Sandy Fischer | 22–3 | – | – | – | – | ||
| 1982 | Sandy Fischer | 35–19 | 2–0 | 6th | AIAW WCWS | – | ||
| 1983 | Sandy Fischer | 34–13–1 | 4–2 | 2nd | – | – | ||
| 1984 | Sandy Fischer | 31–11 | 6–2 | 2nd | Midwest Regional | – | ||
| 1985 | Sandy Fischer | 30–15 | 6–6 | 5th | – | – | ||
| 1986 | Sandy Fischer | 27–18–1 | 6–7 | 4th | – | – | ||
| 1987 | Sandy Fischer | 37–16 | 6–4 | 5th | – | – | ||
| 1988 | Sandy Fischer | 51–9 | 10–0 | 2nd | Northeast Regional | – | ||
| 1989 | Sandy Fischer | 46–6 | 10–2 | 1st | Women's College World Series | 2 | ||
| 1990 | Sandy Fischer | 43–11 | 5–4 | 1st | Women's College World Series | 6 | ||
| 1991 | Sandy Fischer | 36–10–1 | 6–2 | 1st | Regional No. 1 | 10 | ||
| 1992 | Sandy Fischer | 48–14 | 6–2 | 1st | Regional No. 6 | 6 | ||
| 1993 | Sandy Fischer | 50–9 | 16–2 | 1st | Women's College World Series | 4 | ||
| 1994 | Sandy Fischer | 46–12 | 15–3 | 1st | Women's College World Series | 4 | ||
| 1995 | Sandy Fischer | 36–16 | 13–3 | 1st | Regional No. 7 | 15 | ||
| Big 12 (1996–Present) | ||||||||
| Year | Head Coach | Overall Record | Conference Record | Conference Standing | Postseason | Final Ranking | ||
| 1996 | Sandy Fischer | 37–20 | 14–5 | 2nd | Regional No. 8 | 15 | ||
| 1997 | Sandy Fischer | 40–22 | 10–7 | 5th | Regional No. 7 | 10 | ||
| 1998 | Sandy Fischer | 42–19 | 9–7 | 5th | Women's College World Series | 4 | ||
| 1999 | Sandy Fischer | 21–24 | 4–8 | 8th | – | – | ||
| 2000 | Sandy Fischer | 33–22 | 8–10 | 5th | – | – | ||
| 2001 | Sandy Fischer | 28–23 | 8–8 | 5th | – | – | ||
| 2002 | Margaret Rebenar | 29–23 | 8–10 | 6th | – | – | ||
| 2003 | Margaret Rebenar | 39–15 | 13–5 | 2nd | Regional No. 6 | 14 | ||
| 2004 | Margaret Rebenar | 27–28 | 7–10 | 6th | – | – | ||
| 2005 | Margaret Rebenar | 35–24 | 7–11 | 8th | Tucson Regional | – | ||
| 2006 | Margaret Rebenar | 21–29 | 5–13 | 9th | – | – | ||
| 2007 | Rich Weiligman | 25–33 | 3–15 | 9th | – | – | ||
| 2008 | Rich Weiligman | 26–25 | 9–9 | 5th | – | – | ||
| 2009 | Rich Weiligman | 36–22 | 8–10 | 7th | Tallahassee Regional | – | ||
| 2010 | Rich Weiligman | 44–16 | 12–6 | 4th | Tucson Regional | 23 | ||
| 2011 | Rich Weiligman | 42–20 | 8–10 | 7th | Women's College World Series | 8 | ||
| 2012 | Rich Weiligman | 25–26 | 8–16 | 7th | – | – | ||
| 2013 | Rich Weiligman | 30–16 | 6–12 | 5th | – | – | ||
| 2014 | Rich Weiligman | 26–28 | 5–13 | 6th | – | – | ||
| 2015 | Rich Weiligman | 21–31 | 3–13 | 6th | – | – | ||
| 2016 | Kenny Gajewski | 32–26 | 6–11 | 5th | Athens Regional | – | ||
| 2017 | Kenny Gajewski | 38–25 | 12–6 | 3rd | Gainesville Regional | 25 | ||
| 2018 | Kenny Gajewski | 39–22 | 12–6 | 2nd | Fayetteville Regional | – | ||
| 2019 | Kenny Gajewski | 45–17 | 13–5 | 2nd | Women's College World Series | 6 | ||
| 2020 | Kenny Gajewski | 19–5 | – | – | Canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | 12 | ||
| 2021 | Kenny Gajewski | 48–12 | 15–3 | 2nd | Women's College World Series | 6 | ||
| 2022 | Kenny Gajewski | 48–14 | 14–4 | 2nd | Women's College World Series | 4 | ||
| 2023 | Kenny Gajewski | 47–16 | 10–8 | 3rd | Women's College World Series | 6 | ||
| 2024 | Kenny Gajewski | 49–12 | 21–6 | 3rd | Women's College World Series | 7 | ||
| 2025 | Kenny Gajewski | 35–20 | 13–9 | 4th | Fayetteville Regional | 25 | ||
| Total | – | 1,757-915-3 | 363–290 | – | – | – | ||
| Reference:[5] | ||||||||
NCAA Tournament seeding history
National seeding began in 2005. The Oklahoma State Cowgirls have been a national seed five times.
| Years → | '19 | '21 | '22 | '23 | '24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seeds → | 13 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 5 |
Championships
Conference championships
| Season | Conference | Record | Head coach |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Big Eight Conference | — | Sandy Fischer |
| 1981 | Big Eight Conference | — | Sandy Fischer |
| 1989 | Big Eight Conference | 10–2 | Sandy Fischer |
| 1990 | Big Eight Conference | 5–4 | Sandy Fischer |
| 1991 | Big Eight Conference | 6–2 | Sandy Fischer |
| 1992 | Big Eight Conference | 6–2 | Sandy Fischer |
| 1993 | Big Eight Conference | 16–2 | Sandy Fischer |
| 1994 | Big Eight Conference | 15–3 | Sandy Fischer |
| 1995 | Big Eight Conference | 13–3 | Sandy Fischer |
| Reference: [6] | |||
Conference tournament championships
| Year | Conference | Tournament Location | Head coach |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Big Eight Conference | Columbia, MO | Sandy Fischer |
| 1981 | Big Eight Conference | Stillwater, OK | Sandy Fischer |
| 1989 | Big Eight Conference | Oklahoma City, OK | Sandy Fischer |
| 1990 | Big Eight Conference | Oklahoma City, OK | Sandy Fischer |
| 1991 | Big Eight Conference | Oklahoma City, OK | Sandy Fischer |
| 1992 | Big Eight Conference | Oklahoma City, OK | Sandy Fischer |
| 2022 | Big 12 Conference | Oklahoma City, OK | Kenny Gajewski |
| Reference: [6] | |||
Notable players
Conference awards
- Lauren Bay, 2003
- Vanessa Shippy, 2016, 2018
- Carrie Eberle, 2021
- Kelly Maxwell, 2022
- Lexi Kilfoyl, 2024
- Jaime Foutch, 1996
- Big 12 Newcomer of the Year
- Leanne Tyler, 1996
- Shelly Graham, 1999
- Big 12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year
- Vanessa Shippy, 2017, 2018
Source:[7]
References
- ^ Oklahoma State University Athletics Official Athletics Branding Manual (PDF). November 20, 2019. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
- ^ "2021 Oklahoma State Softball Guide" (PDF). OKState.com. Oklahoma State University Athletic Department. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
- ^ "2022 Oklahoma State Softball Guide" (PDF). OKState.com. Oklahoma State University Athletic Department. p. 146. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
- ^ "Oklahoma State Softball Coaches". OKState.com. Oklahoma State Athletics. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
- ^ Live " + fromNow + ". "Oklahoma State Athletics" (PDF). okstate.com. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
- ^ a b "2021 Oklahoma State Softball Guide" (PDF). OKState.com. Oklahoma State University Athletic Department. p. 99. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
- ^ "Big 12 Softball Record Book" (PDF). Big12Sports.com. Big 12 Conference. p. 7. Retrieved 15 May 2019.