Oklahoma State softball vs Kentucky recap: Cowgirls reach NCAA Tournament regional final
Scott WrightCoach Kenny Gajewski and the fifth-seeded Oklahoma State Cowgirls face the Kentucky Wildcats in a Stillwater Regional winner's bracket game Saturday in the NCAA softball tournament.
Here's what you need to know about the Cowgirls (45-10) and Wildcats (30-22):
More:Why Oklahoma State softball's Kyra Aycock is among most important players in postseason
Oklahoma State softball live score updates vs. Kentucky
Final: Cowgirls defeat Kentucky 6-2
Lexi Kilfoyl retired 21 of the last 22 batters she faced, overcoming a rough start.
Jilyen Poullard homered twice, helping the Pokes advance to the regional final against Michigan, set for 2 p.m. Sunday.
— Scott Wright, Staff writer
More:Oklahoma State softball erases ugly start, tops Kentucky to reach Stillwater Regional final
Bottom 5: Cowgirls threaten, can’t score
OSU moved runners to second and third, but Claire Timm and Macy Graf struck out to end the inning, keeping the Cowgirl edge at 5-2.
Kilfoyl heads back to the circle for the sixth.
— Scott Wright, Staff writer
Top 5: Kilfoyl retires 15th straight
For the second straight day, OSU pitcher Lexi Kilfoyl has recorded 15 straight outs. Kentucky’s first five hitters reached base today, bringing in two runs, but Kilfoyl struck out the next three and followed with four perfect innings.
OSU leads 5-2 heading to the bottom half.
— Scott Wright, Staff writer
Bottom 4: Nothing for Cowgirls
OSU leads 5-2 after four, going down in order in the bottom of the inning.
Lexi Kilfoyl heads back to the circle for her 10th inning in the last 24 hours.
— Scott Wright, Staff writer
Top 4: OSU keeping Kentucky quiet
Kentucky remains without a baserunner since the first inning when it plated its two runs, and OSU still holds a 5-2 edge.
OSU pitcher Lexi Kilfoyl recorded two strikeouts in the inning and now has seven for the game, a day after recording one in five perfect innings of work against Northern Colorado.
— Scott Wright, Staff writer
Bottom 3: Timm Reaper strikes
OSU sophomore Claire Timm drilled a double down the right field line, bringing in Rosie Davis — who had doubled just ahead of her — for a 5-2 Cowgirl lead after three innings.
Timm moved to third, but the Cowgirls couldn’t bring her in.
— Scott Wright, Staff writer
Top 3: Another perfect inning for Kilfoyl
Kentucky went down in order as OSU pitcher Lexi Kilfoyl continues to work effectively after a rough start.
Since allowing Kentucky’s first five batters to reach base, Kilfoyl has erased nine straight.
— Scott Wright, Staff writer
Bottom 2: OSU can’t add on
A walk and a sacrifice bunt got an OSU runner to second base with one out, but that’s all the Cowgirls could do. They’ll head to the third inning with a 4-2 lead.
— Scott Wright, Staff writer
Top 2: Kentucky goes in order
OSU pitcher Lexi Kilfoyl looked much calmer to start the second inning, getting a strikeout, groundout and flyout to take care of Kentucky in order. That preserved OSU’s 4-2 lead heading to the bottom of the inning.
— Scott Wright, Staff writer
Bottom 1: Cowgirls respond immediately
OSU leadoff hitter Jilyen Poullard has been the spark plug in the Cowgirl engine the last few weeks, and she’s at it again Saturday, helping OSU respond to take a 4-2 lead after Kentucky’s early explosion.
Poullard hit her 10th home run of the season, and sixth in the last seven games to lead off the bottom of the first.
And the Cowgirls followed with three more runs — the last a smart reaction. Rosie Davis tagged up and scored from third base on a foul popout in front of the third-base dugout when no one covered home plate.
— Scott Wright, Staff writer
Top 1: Kentucky strikes quickly
Kentucky’s first five batters reached base to take a 2-0 lead with four hits and an error, but OSU pitcher Lexi Kilfoyl settled in to strike out the next three and escape with minimal damage.
Kentucky’s Ally Hutchins nearly cleared the bases, but her potential grand slam hit just a few inches from the top of the wall and only brought in one run.
More:Oklahoma State softball pitchers nearly perfect in NCAA opener vs. Northern Colorado
OSU softball highlights vs. Kentucky
More:Oklahoma State softball catcher Caroline Wang chose Cowgirls due to one key factor
What time does OSU softball vs. Kentucky start?
- Date: Saturday, May 18
- Time: Noon CT
- Where: Cowgirl Stadium in Stillwater
More:What are Oklahoma State softball's best- & worst-case scenarios for 2024 NCAA Tournament?
What channel is OSU softball vs. Kentucky on today?
- TV: ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN+
- How to watch online: Watch ESPN (here's how to stream it live)
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.