In the centre, the two squads came together to exchange blows.
Even though their stadiums are only 80 miles apart, the Big 12 championship game in Oklahoma City pitted OU against OSU.
While the Oklahoma Sooners had won five national championships and the last four Big 12 championships, the Cowgirls had not won a conference championship in nearly 30 years and were still hunting for their first.
OSU coach Kenny Gajewski was wary of the Sooners going into the game after his team had been whitewashed in the regular season and had only one win in his seven years as head coach against them.
As soon as Gajewski saw Patty Gasso, he thought, “I have to beat that lady (OU coach Patty Gasso) again.”
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Gajewski’s Cowgirls rushed the circle and celebrated their first Big 12 tournament triumph with a 4-3 victory over OU.
All of OSU’s runs in the final game and throughout the tournament were scored without the aid of a home run. There were also runs scored via the bases-loaded walks and RBI singles of those who attempted to steal home plate. Despite his desire for more hits, Gajewski claimed he was content with the outcome of the game.
A few more home runs and doubles would be nice for Gajewski. But he is content with his current output. “Our at-bats have been fantastic the last three days. We fought through and created more plays because we hit so many powerful balls.”
Jocelyn Alo’s home run in the fifth inning gave OU a 2-2 tie in the eight-inning contest, but the Owls batted for the fences throughout the game, with varied success, including 15 errors in the game.
Gasso remarked, “We were trying to be heroic.” There were a lot of fly balls because our swings were too big.
OSU’s hard-nosed attitude to scoring runs stemmed from their appreciation for the club that shares their home state.
In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Gajewski noted, “We are a team that takes extra bases, performs the small things, and plays with passion.” What this squad needs to do and what OU taught us is exactly how to do it. That’s the way they do things. Many of the things we do are modelled after theirs. As long as they’re the benchmark, “we’re just as good as them.”
In the fourth inning, OSU pitcher Morgan Day came into the game after putting in 89 pitches the day before. On Day’s five innings of work, the Cowgirls only allowed three base runners.
OSU’s Day said she transferred to the school with the goal of winning trophies this season. In order to claim a trophy, she realised she would have to be fierce and willing to destroy anybody who stood in the way, even if it was the No. 1 squad.
Gajewski described her as “Morgan Day” from the beginning. When she first walked into this place, she said, ‘I’m not going to peep in, I’m going to smash the door down.'” I arrived. Because of this, I’m willing to put my body on the line for this team and do everything it takes to help them win.”
Before the Big 12 tournament, the Cowgirls and Gajewski believed they could beat OU if they had one more chance after losing to the Sooners three times in a row. This belief changed the outcome on Saturday.
“We knew they were beatable,” Day added. At the very least, we were good enough to compete with and perhaps even beat them. We were not just good enough to keep up with them, but grab a victory. “So, getting a chance to redeem ourselves was a great experience.”
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