OSU Softball Team Wins in Pitchers' Duel

Kat Espinosa threw a complete-game three hitter in a 1-0 victory.

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 12:15 pm

By: News On 6

OSU Softball Team Wins in Pitchers' Duel

Originally Published: Mar 4, 2011 10:0 PM CDT

Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

STILLWATER, Okla. – The Oklahoma State softball team could only muster one early run, but that was all it needed in a 1-0 win over Illinois-Chicago.

The Cowgirls (14-3) plated one run in the bottom of the second on a two-out single by Ashley Boyd, and it was all about the pitchers from there.

Illinois-Chicago (5-6) had only one legitimate scoring opportunity, and it came in the fifth inning. After two singles, the Flames had runners on first and third with one out.

Shannon Kehr put the ball in play, but Alysia Hamilton scooped up the ground ball quickly and did not allow the runner to score. OSU then induced another ground ball for the third out to end the threat.

Kat Espinosa earned the win after pitching a complete game shutout and giving up only three hits and one walk. Devin Miller also pitched a complete game and gave up one run on six hits in a losing effort.

The victory came in OSU’s first game of the year in Stillwater, following three out-of-state tournaments. The Cowgirls now have won four games in a row, and will take part in two games Saturday as part of The Preview in Oklahoma City, starting against Auburn at 12:30 p.m. and ending against Oklahoma at 6 p.m. in the first Bedlam game of the year.