Oklahoma State Powers Past Utah Behind Ruby Meylan Gem, Explosive Fifth Inning
The Oklahoma State Cowgirls softball opened the Big 12 Tournament looking to solidify a Home Regional, and they did nothing but help their cause. The Cowgirls, although it took a minute, eventually dominated the Utah Lady Utes 7–0 in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Softball Championship.
With the victory, Oklahoma State improved to 38–14 overall after finishing second in the Big 12 regular season standings at 16–8 in conference play. Utah is now 35–20–1.
The Cowgirls now advance to Friday’s semifinal round of the Big 12 Tournament, where they will face Arizona State at 7:00 at Devon Park in OKC.
Meylan (Big 12 Pitcher of the Year)
Once again, Ruby Meylan looked every bit like one of the nation’s elite pitchers.
The OSU ace threw a complete-game shutout, allowing just one hit across seven innings while striking out three and walking three on 92 pitches. That’s her 20th complete game of the year, and she has 8 shutouts and 204 Ks in 220.2 innings. She improved to 27–6 on the season and continued an extraordinary late-season stretch in which she has become nearly untouchable.
Utah never advanced a runner past first base after the third inning.
While she only had 3 Ks on the night, Meylan was very efficient and let movement, location, and changing speeds win the day. As a result, she completely disrupted Utah’s timing and got a lot of efficient outs, which is HUGE considering her workload to this point, and what will be asked of her moving forward.
The lone Utah hit came in the seventh inning on a single by Kennedy Proctor, but Meylan calmly finished the shutout by retiring the next two hitters. It was disappointing to see a no-hitter taken into the 7th, and not finished, but that’s how it goes, and it takes NO shine off the dominant outing.
Following the game, Oklahoma State head coach Kenny Gajewski praised Meylan’s composure and command in the postseason environment.
“Ruby just continues to compete at such a high level. She’s calm, she trusts her stuff, and she gives our team confidence every single inning.”
Meylan’s recent dominance has transformed Oklahoma State into one of the most dangerous teams remaining in College Softball, posting wins over Texas, OU, and series wins against Arizona, Baylor and Kansas. Over her last six appearances, she has allowed only three earned runs.
Cowgirls Break Through in the Fifth
For four innings, the game felt tense despite Oklahoma State consistently threatening offensively.
The Cowgirls stranded five runners through the first four innings and missed several early opportunities, including leaving the bases loaded in the second inning after Utah shortstop Shonty Passi’s throwing error extended the inning.
But in the fifth inning, the offense finally erupted.
Jayelle Austin started the rally after being hit by a pitch, and Karli Godwin followed with a single up the middle. Rosie Davis then delivered the game’s first run-scoring hit with an RBI single to center, bringing Austin home for a 1–0 lead.
That opened the floodgates.
After Lexi McDonald drew a walk to load the bases, Amanda Hasler crushed a triple down the left-field line, clearing the bases and pushing the lead to 4–0. Madison Hoffman followed immediately with an RBI single up the middle to extend the advantage to five.
In a span of just a few minutes, Oklahoma State completely seized control of the game.
Gajewski said afterward that the team stayed patient despite not cashing in early opportunities.
“We kept talking in the dugout about staying with our approach. We were getting traffic on the bases, and eventually somebody was going to break it open.”
Power Continues to Define OSU Offense
The Cowgirls added two more runs in the sixth inning thanks to continued power production — a trend that has defined Oklahoma State’s offense over the final weeks of the season.
After Austin walked and advanced to second on a throwing error, Godwin launched a two-run home run to center field, her seventh homer of the season.
The long ball has become a central part of Oklahoma State’s identity offensively and has made this offense that much more dynamic, being able to explode in every which way.
Godwin finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a home run, while Davis added two hits and an RBI. Hasler delivered the biggest swing of the game with her bases-clearing triple and finished with three RBIs.
Hoffman also contributed two hits and an RBI off the bench.
Austin quietly played a major role offensively, reaching base twice and scoring two runs.
Utah Unable to Generate Momentum
Utah never found an offensive rhythm against Meylan and the Oklahoma State defense.
The Utes managed just one hit while striking out three times and consistently hitting lazy fly balls. Oklahoma State’s defense remained flawless behind Meylan, finishing without an error.
Utah starter Hailey Maestretti kept the game scoreless early but unraveled in the fifth inning.
Maestretti’s final line:
5.0 IP
7 H
5 ER
2 BB
4 K
Shelbee Jones entered in relief and immediately gave up the two-run homer to Godwin before Raci Miranda closed the inning.
Defensively, Utah committed three errors, and the Cowgirls took advantage of them to run away from the Utes.
Offensive Leaders Continue Strong Postseason Push
Oklahoma State finished with nine hits and continued to showcase the depth that has fueled its rise to the top tier of the Big 12.
Top performers:
Karli Godwin: 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI
Rosie Davis: 2-for-4, RBI
Amanda Hasler: 1-for-3, 3 RBI triple
Madison Hoffman: 2-for-3, RBI
Jayelle Austin: 1-for-1, 2 R
The Cowgirls have now scored seven or more runs in 5 of their last 6 wins.
Wrapping Up
The Cowgirls have a lot to play for, with that being a pretty obvious statement. OSU is in a position to host and is trying to climb to possibly hosting a Super Regional as well, and to do so, they need to keep winning. That next step is tonight at 7:00 against Arizona State in OKC at Devon Park.
