The Oklahoma State Cowgirls came up just short in an excellent pitcher’s duel against No. 4 Florida on Thursday, falling 1-0 in the only one-run game on Day 1 of the Women’s College World Series.
Florida freshman pitcher Keagan Rothrock, who made her 41st start of the year, was absolutely lights out against a dangerous Oklahoma State offense that averages 6.15 runs per game (17th nationally). In her WCWS debut, Rothrock went a full seven innings, allowing two hits and two walks with no runs and three strikeouts.
Oklahoma State went just 2-of-23 (.087) at the plate, with an 0-for-7 split for leadoff batters and 0-for-4 with runners on base.
Despite the loss, Oklahoma State’s Lexi Kilfoyl was equally impressive against the No. 4 scoring offense in the nation (7.80), holding Florida to just 2-of-19 (.105) at the plate with two hits, one earned run, three walks, and five strikeouts.
The hit that made the difference in this game came in the fifth inning from Katie Kistler on a full count.
When the ball landed—277 feet away from the plate over the right field wall—the lone run of the game was put on the scoreboard, and Florida eventually hung on for the win.
With the loss, Oklahoma State (49-11) will have to turn around and play a win-or-go-home game against NiJaree Canady and the Stanford Cardinal (48-16) on Friday night at 8:30 p.m.
If the Pokes can win that game, they’ll face the loser of Oklahoma vs. UCLA on Sunday. A loss, and what appeared to be a promising run to the WCWS would finish before it ever really got started.
