The Cowgirls will look to shake off UCF series defeat, dodge another weather delay, and charge toward Arizona State showdown this weekend.
STILLWATER, Okla. — The Oklahoma State Cowgirls softball team is navigating a pivotal stretch in their 2026 season.
Currently sitting at 17-7 overall and 1-2 in Big 12 play, the No. 19-ranked Cowgirls are focused on regaining momentum as they host a rescheduled midweek clash before hitting the road for more league action.
The Cowgirls recently wrapped up their Big 12 opening series against UCF with a disappointing 1-2 mark, capped by a 6-4 loss on Sunday at Cowgirl Stadium in Stillwater.
Despite evening the series with a gritty 2-1 walk-off victory on Saturday, thanks to Gabby Castillo’s bases-loaded free pass in the seventh, OSU couldn’t seal the deal in the rubber match. UCF’s offense exploded for six runs, including key homers from Beth Damon and Rosie Davis, while the Cowgirls managed just six hits against Knights ace Isabella Vega. The series loss highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in closing out games, but also showed OSU’s fighting spirit in the Big 12 debut.
Looking ahead, the Cowgirls’ Wednesday matchup against Wichita State has been bumped up to tonight, Tuesday, March 10, with first pitch set for 6 p.m. CT at Cowgirl Stadium.
This marks the second consecutive week that an OSU Wednesday game has been shifted to Tuesday due to the threat of severe weather in the area. Last week, a similar change occurred for their contest against Missouri State, which the Cowgirls won 8-3.
Tonight’s game, originally slated for March 11, will still be streamed on ESPN+ with live stats available. The adjustment shows how unpredictable spring weather in the Oklahoma is, but OSU coach Kenny Gajewski has emphasized adaptability as a team strength.
On the mound, Oklahoma State is expected to turn to senior ace Ruby Meylan, who has been the workhorse of the staff this season. Meylan enters with a 7-5 record, a 2.91 ERA, and 80 strikeouts over 81.2 innings pitched, ranking her sixth nationally in innings, 18th in strikeouts, and 27th in appearances. Her ability to limit opponents to a .241 batting average will be crucial against a Wichita State lineup that packs power.
For the Shockers, sophomore Ryley Nihart is the probable starter, boasting a 3-5 record with a 4.03 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 48.2 innings. Nihart has logged the most innings on WSU’s staff and recently pitched 4.2 frames in a loss to East Carolina, showing durability but vulnerability to walks (20 issued).
The Cowgirls hit .305 as a team with 20 home runs, led by senior outfielder Claire Timm’s .393 average, five homers, and 22 RBIs. Catcher Amanda Hasler has driven in a team-high 26 runs, while the squad’s speed shines through with 47 stolen bases (15th nationally), converting 47 of 51 attempts, eleven players have multiple steals.
OSU’s keys to victory include leveraging their base-running aggression to pressure WSU’s defense and relying on Meylan to stifle the Shockers’ bats early. Defensively, the Cowgirls have been solid, committing just nine errors in their last 10 games.
Wichita State, at 11-10 overall and 1-2 in the American Athletic Conference, counters with a .291 team batting average and 24 home runs, ranking among the top power-hitting mid-majors. Outfielder Ausha Moore leads with five homers, while the lineup averages over five runs per game. However, their pitching staff carries a higher 4.50 ERA collectively, with opponents hitting .305 against them.
The Shockers’ path to an upset involves containing OSU’s multi-faceted offense, mixing power and speed, while capitalizing on any fatigue in Meylan’s arm after her heavy workload.
WSU has struggled on the road (3-5 away record) but showed fight in a recent series split with East Carolina. Limiting free bases will be essential, as they’ve issued 52 walks this season.
Following tonight’s tilt, the Cowgirls pack their bags for Tempe, Arizona, where they’ll face No. 22 Arizona State in a three-game Big 12 series from March 13-15 at Farrington Stadium. First pitches are slated for 7 p.m. CT on Friday, 5 p.m. CT on Saturday, and 2 p.m. CT on Sunday, with all games available on ESPN+.
ASU enters at 19-6 but 0-3 in conference after a sweep by Texas, making this a chance for OSU to exploit a reeling opponent.
The series history favors the Cowgirls 10-9, and with ASU’s potent offense (.320 team BA) led by slugger Yannira Acuna (seven homers), OSU will need sharp pitching and timely hits to build Big 12 momentum.
As the season progresses, Oklahoma State’s blend of veteran leadership and emerging talent, players like freshmen Aubrey Jones (.353 average) and Jayelle Austin (nine extra-base hits), positions them well for a postseason push. Tonight’s game against Wichita State offers a prime opportunity to fine-tune before the desert showdown against Arizona State.