Cowgirls Win Regional Opener With Walk-Off

Julie Ward connected on a walk-off single with two outs and two strikes in the seventh inning.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:24 pm

By: News On 6

Cowgirls Win Regional Opener With Walk-Off

Originally Published: May 20, 2011 5:23 PM CDT

Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Julie Ward delivered a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh Friday to give the Oklahoma State softball team a 2-1 win over Georgia Tech in its first game of NCAA Regional play.

The Cowgirls started the seventh inning with a lead-off walk. After a popup, OSU moved the runner into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt.

With two outs and a runner on second, Georgia Tech elected to intentionally walk Alysia Hamilton and instead face Ward. But Ward made them pay by working a full count and then ripping a single to right field. Pinch runner Kelsey Anchors raced around third and across the plate to score the winning run.

Ward’s walk-off hit was only the Cowgirls’ sixth of the game, but that was more than Georgia Tech could muster. OSU starter Kat Espinosa held the Yellow Jackets in check on the way to a complete game in which she allowed just four hits. The only run she allowed was unearned in the second inning.

Thursday’s game kicked off action in the Knoxville Regional, which is a double-elimination opening round. The Cowgirls will move on to face the winner between Liberty and Tennessee at 1 p.m. Saturday.