Oklahoma State Takes Bedlam: A New Era in College Softball?
Driving south down Jenkins Avenue, Marita Hynes Field still stands proudly on the right, Reeves Field on the left, and just beyond both parks lies Love’s Field.
It’s truly a sight: over 4,500 seats, exuding a professional ballpark ambiance, symbolizing the growth of women’s softball.
Yet, are we witnessing a changing of the guard?
The Cowgirls’ five-run sixth inning on Saturday solidified Oklahoma State’s first Bedlam series victory since 1997 and marked the first time the Sooners have lost a series at home since 2006.
Let’s put that into perspective. Oklahoma State is 7-66 versus Oklahoma since their last conference series win over the Sooners.
The Sooners are no longer invincible. They are beatable. Louisiana started the trend, Texas added to the momentum, then BYU, and now OSU.
Despite a lackluster performance on Friday night, the Cowgirls still picked up the 6-3 win. On Saturday, the OSU offense displayed a laser-like focus blasting four home runs adding to the weekend total of seven in two games.
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An offense that hit 53 home runs in 63 games in 2023 has hit 81 in 52 games. The amount of extra base hits the Cowgirls have tallied this season is astounding. Under Vanessa Shippy-Fletcher, the offense has produced. Shippy-Fletcher inherited an offense that graduated nearly 70% of its extra-base hits just a season ago.
It is more than evident Shippy-Fletcher has this Cowgirls offense swinging free and with purpose.
Let’s get back to Oklahoma. What’s wrong with OU? Many are asking. Well, the entire country is asking.
This is a reminder – OU is still 45-6 on the season. They’ve lost six games. Four of those losses to top-five opponents – Texas and Oklahoma State. That’s the issue with setting the bar so high. If you don’t meet it, you’re a failure. With a 61-1 record a season ago, 59-3 in 2022, and 56-4 in 2021 it’s safe to say the standard is high. Standards that have garnered three straight national championships and a ballpark unlike anything in college softball.
2023 offensive numbers: 117 home runs, 116 doubles, 1.122 OPS in 62 games played
2024 offensive numbers: 95 home runs, 83 doubles, 1.129 OPS in 51 games played
2023 pitching numbers: .96 ERA, 23 HR allowed, .162 batting average against
2024 pitching numbers: 1.85 ERA, 34 HR allowed, .189 batting average against
But, is it enough? It’s up to the Sooner faithful to prove whether or not they are in it for the love of the game or for the championship hardware. As always, the game doesn’t know who is supposed to win and in 2024, that statement rings true more now than ever.
