Rosie Davis’ 3-Run Homer Lifts No. 24 Oklahoma State Past No. 10 Arizona

The Cowgirls took down No. 10 Arizona 4-2 in the first game of the series in Tucson behind a four-run seventh inning sparked.

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Trailing 2-0 heading into the seventh, Claire Timm led off with an opposite-field solo home run to cut the deficit in half.

After Megan Bloodworth flew out to center, Tallen Edwards was hit by a pitch to put the tying run on base. Tia Warsop followed with a walk, prompting Arizona to make a pitching change. Miranda Stoddard entered in relief of starter Devyn Netz. On a 2-2 count, Stoddard gave up a -run blast to left-center by Rosie Davis, giving Oklahoma State the 4-2 lead.

Ruby Meylan (15-3) earned the complete-game victory, allowing two runs on five hits with eight strikeouts and eight walks. Netz (14-4) suffered the loss, giving up three runs on nine hits with one strikeout and one walk. Despite the loss, Netz pitched well, inducing 11 flyouts and tossing six shutout innings.

Arizona jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first, capitalizing on a leadoff walk by Dakota Kennedy. Kennedy advanced to third on a Reagan Shockey single and scored on a Kaiah Altmeyer sac fly to left field. The Wildcats then drew three consecutive walks to bring home their second run.

The Cowgirls nearly broke through in the fifth inning after loading the bases. Micaela Wark lined a ball to the left side of the infield. Tayler Biehl made an incredible diving grab and doubled off Bloodworth at second to end the threat. That would’ve saved Arizona’s win, had it not been for Davis’s heroics.

Meylan didn’t have her sharpest outing but managed to hold the Arizona offense scoreless after the first inning, stranding multiple runners throughout the game.

Arizona threatened in the bottom half of the inning, bringing the tying run to the plate after a one-out double to right-center by Altmeyer. A two-out walk by Sydney Stewart brought Stoddard to the plate, but Meylan induced a groundout to second to end the ballgame.

Oklahoma State desperately needed to leave Arizona with a pair of wins and have started the week 2-0, and series win would be even sweeter. The two teams meet again on Saturday at 9 p.m. ET.

More from Softball America:

Meylan, Brown star in Oklahoma State, Arizona State pitchers duel
From Geaux Teal to Game Day: Reflections on LSU-South Carolina Series
Bracketology: April 2nd

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