Cowgirls Brace for Bedlam Showdown Against Top-Ranked Sooners

Kenny Gajewski took a moment to reflect on the question, almost acknowledging the extremes that came with it.

What have you seen out of this OU team?

Oklahoma State head coach Kenny Gajewski, now in his 11th season at the helm, paused. He stared into the distance, collecting his thoughts before speaking.

"I don't know how we can win," Gajewski said. "That's the best hitting offense I've ever seen. So, we're just gonna go play and see what we can do."

Gajewski clarified the sentiment was sarcastic — though he acknowledged the truth behind it.

No. 19 OSU faces No. 1 Oklahoma on Wednesday at 8 p.m. at Devon Park in Oklahoma City. It's the lone Bedlam matchup — the name for the longtime OSU-OU rivalry — in softball this season, and a chance for OSU to establish itself among college softball's elite.

But above all else, for the Cowgirls (27-11, 9-6 Big 12) to come away victorious, Gajewski said they will have to be at their best.

"I think we can win — that was kind of a joke (saying I don't know how we can win), but I know that we're gonna have to play incredibly well," Gajewski said. "We're gonna have to pitch incredibly well, we're gonna have to play incredible defense."

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The Sooners (40-4, 13-2 SEC) sport a potent offensive lineup, headlined by freshman Kendall Wells. The 5-foot-10 catcher leads college softball with 32 home runs this season. She has been among the sport's most dangerous hitters, drawing recognition as a premier mistake hitter — one who capitalizes on pitcher errors in execution. This season, Wells is slashing .383/.481/1.128.

"And then you've got the other regulars," Gajewski said. "...there's a lot (of firepower) in that lineup, for sure."

Eight starters are hitting above .400, six have 10 or more home runs, and the pitching staff holds a 2.78 ERA — ranking 23rd nationally.

Wednesday presents a significant challenge. But it's one Gajewski and his players acknowledge can serve as a barometer heading into the stretch run — and, most importantly, an opportunity for OSU to stake a claim to national legitimacy.

The Cowgirls arrive with their own strengths.

Pitcher Ruby Meylan, who will likely start against the Sooners, carries a 2.26 ERA with 148 strikeouts while limiting opponents to a .215 batting average.

The offense has found a rhythm as well. OSU is 10-2 over its last 12 games, having taken three straight Big 12 series, and is averaging 6.25 runs per game in that span.

Freshman Aubrey Jones is coming off a 6-for-8, three-RBI weekend in OSU's series win at Iowa State. Named Big 12 Player of the Week on Tuesday, Jones sees the matchup as an opportunity rather than an obstacle — and echoed her head coach's mindset.

"We just need to go out and play our best," Jones said. "It's an opportunity for us to get better and prove where we are, and we need to look at it that way."

Gajewski's 4-22 record against the Sooners during his OSU tenure offers a sobering backdrop. Last season, Oklahoma run-ruled the Cowgirls 11-3 in five innings — the first meeting between the two programs as out-of-conference opponents following conference realignment.

Still, Gajewski kept returning to what awaits his team.

"I'm amazed at what they keep doing," Gajewski said. "It's just crazy to me. I mean, it's the standard. It's been like that for a long time and I'm glad — I've always said this, I'm glad they're right down (the road). Any time you ever think you're going well, you just take a look right down the road and go, 'Woah, still got a little work to do here.'

"I'm thankful they want to still play this game because it's the ultimate test (for us)... we can do it, we just need to play our best."