Julie Ward Leads OSU to Win With Late Home Run

Kat Espinosa also pitched a one-hitter for her ninth win of the season.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:15 pm

By: News On 6

Julie Ward Leads OSU to Win With Late Home Run

Originally Published: Mar 6, 2011 1:14 PM CDT

Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

STILLWATER, Okla. – The No. 19 Oklahoma State softball team avoided a three-game losing streak with two late runs in a 3-2 victory over No. 24 Auburn Sunday.

The Cowgirls (15-5) fell behind in the first inning and trailed for most of the game. Auburn (17-2) got on the board thanks to an unearned run in the third at-bat of the game to take a quick 1-0 lead.

OSU tied the game in the bottom of the second with an RBI double from Ashley Boyd, but Auburn responded with a solo home run from Kyndall Wright to retake the lead 2-1.

The score stayed that way until the bottom of the fifth inning, when Julie Ward launched a two-run home run to put Oklahoma State back on top. That turned out to be the game-winning blast, as Kat Espinosa held Auburn hitless in the final two innings to seal the win.

Espinosa pitched a complete game and the only hit she surrendered was Wright’s home run. She earned her ninth win of the season and struck out six batters. Angel Bunner also pitched a complete game, but was credited with the loss after allowing three runs on seven hits.

OSU and Auburn also played each other Saturday as part of The Preview, a game the Cowgirls lost. Auburn’s only two losses in 19 games so far this season now have come against Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.

The Cowgirls will remain in Stillwater for their next game at 5 p.m. Wednesday against Wichita State before taking part in a weekend tournament starting Friday.