Kenny Gajewski: Oklahoma State needs to 'stick to a plan' vs. NiJaree Canady in WCWS elimination game

After dropping the first game of the Women’s College World Series on Thursday, Oklahoma State found itself in an elimination game Friday night at Devon Park. The Cowgirls faced a tall task to keep their season alive, though, going against one of the best pitchers in the country.

NiJaree Canady was in the circle for Stanford, bringing a 0.76 ERA with her into the WCWS elimination matchup. Oklahoma State struggled to get the offense going with just two hits in four innings, but Kenny Gajewski said his team needs to avoid pressing while facing Canady and her 70-plus mile per hour rise ball.

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If the Cowgirls can keep chipping away, he said, it will pay off.

“Obviously, she’s good,” Gajewski told ESPN’s Alyssa Lang. “So we’ve got to stick to a plan, and all of them have something that they’re gonna do. Staying in the moment here, staying grounded and just trusting what you want to do. We’re finally starting to take some better cuts. We’ve still got plenty of chances here, it was a good inning there. We need to find a good way to score, but we’ll get it done.”

Oklahoma State countered with a dominant pitcher of its own in Lexi Kilfoyl, but she had a rough go in the circle. The former Alabama transfer lasted 3.2 innings against Stanford, allowing four runs on five hits while recording just one strikeout. It was a rough performance from the fifth-year senior, who brought a 1.07 ERA into the matchup.

Oklahoma State, Stanford trying to stay alive

The winner of Friday’s game will keep its season alive and advance to Sunday while the loser heads home after two losses.

Stanford’s offense struggled to get anything going against Texas Thursday night, only mustering one hit against freshman phenom Teagan Kavan. Canady also allowed an uncharacteristic four runs as the Longhorns came away with the 4-0 victory, sending the Cardinal to Friday’s elimination game.

Oklahoma State and Florida went back-and-forth in an epic pitcher’s duel, and Kilfoyl had a no-hitter going into the fifth inning. However, the Gators scored their first – and only – run on their first hit of the game when Katie Kistler hit a towering home run to right field to advance in the winners bracket.

The winner of Friday’s contest will take on the loser of Saturday’s UCLA vs. Oklahoma game.