OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma State’s Karli Petty had been part of huge moments at USA Corridor of Fame Stadium earlier than.
Oklahoma
Petty hits 3-run HR, Oklahoma State beats Arizona in WCWS
“It’s very nice to come back again and play someplace that’s actually acquainted, and it’s simply even higher to come back again with over 12,000 followers,” she mentioned. “It’s actually thrilling to see how a lot this place has grown from once I was little rising up. It’s an incredible feeling to be on this second in all elements of my life.”
It was simply the fifth homer of the season for Petty. Her unlikely blast helped the seventh-seeded Cowgirls (47-12) advance to play Florida on Saturday within the winners’ bracket of the double-elimination part.
She wasn’t seeking to hit a house run.
“With runners in scoring place, I wanted to place the ball in play,” she mentioned. “I actually centered on simply getting on high and driving it by means of the center. That was my entire strategy that total at-bat.”
Kelly Maxwell (20-4), an NFCA first-team All-American, threw an entire recreation for Oklahoma State and struck out 14. She struck out all three batters swinging within the seventh.
“I believe we’re seeing top-of-the-line pitchers within the nation,” Arizona catcher Sharlize Palacios mentioned. “That’s the large half. She’s a very good pitcher, and there’s going to be strikeouts.”
The Cowgirls closed out an ideal first day for Huge 12 groups after Oklahoma and Texas received earlier.
“I believe what it does is validates the truth that this convention is basically good,” Oklahoma State coach Kenny Gajewski mentioned. “It’s been actually good, and it’s good to have three of us right here and three of us getting the winner’s aspect. That’s what it’s all about. Very glad for all of us.”
Hanah Bowen (13-11) gave up 5 hits in 5 innings.
“I believe they simply capitalized on pitches, particularly in the precise moments,” Bowen mentioned.
The Wildcats (38-21) will play fellow Pac-12 member Oregon State in an elimination recreation Friday.
“I undoubtedly assume that us not getting our heads down is the largest factor,” Palacios mentioned. “We performed an incredible recreation, and it was one pitch that modified the distinction. You are taking away that pitch and it’s a unique recreation.”
Oklahoma State opened the scoring within the backside of the fourth when Sydney Pennington singled to attain Brianna Evans. Pennington was thrown out at second, and that helped Arizona restrict the harm to 1 run.
Palacios hit a two-run homer within the fifth to offer the Wildcats the lead. It was her twentieth of the season.
Oklahoma State loaded the bases with two outs within the fifth, however Katelynn Carwile, who entered the World Sequence with a team-best .353 batting common, flied out to left.
Oklahoma State’s Miranda Elish led off the sixth with a stroll. Pennington adopted with a single down the precise subject line, and he or she superior on a fielding error to place runners at second and third with no outs. Petty took benefit with the homer to middle that put the Cowgirls up 4-2.
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