What Kenny Gajewski, Kelly Maxwell & Cowgirls said at Oklahoma State softball media day
STILLWATER — Kenny Gajewski and the Oklahoma State softball team held their preseason media day Friday morning.
The Cowgirls are ranked no lower than third in any national preseason poll, and are coming off their third consecutive appearance in the Women’s College World Series. That left Gajewski with plenty to talk about in advance of the start of his eighth season as the Cowgirl coach.
Here are some highlights and takeaways from Gajewski’s press conference:
Kenny Gajewski talks high hopes for Cowgirls
OSU returned to practice Jan. 12, and the Cowgirls impressed Gajewski quickly.
“Probably the best return to practice of any of my time here,” he said.
Why?
“We probably have the deepest team we’ve ever had, and people want to play,” Gajewski said. “They came here to play, so we came back well.
“I think we are bringing a really good team to the table. A lot of experience. A lot of new faces.”
On the top-three ranking: “We talked about not having anything that anybody else wants. We talked a little bit about that last year. Does that kind of help eliminate some pressure of being preseason top five or does that kind of bring its own pressures? I think there’s probably some pressure there. I mean, these kids are normal. … We’re still the chaser.”
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Kelly Maxwell will return for 2024 season
Gajewski considers last season’s pitching staff as the best in his tenure.
This season’s bunch?
“This is best staff that we’ve had here,” Gajewski said. “On paper for sure.”
He expects to use four pitchers, starting with returning lefthanded All-American Kelly Maxwell, who has told Gajewski that she intends to return next year and use a sixth season of eligibility. At the end of fall practices, Maxwell informed him of her decision.
“Trying not to overplay that,” Gajewski said, “because I just want her to focus on this year.”
Other arms the Cowgirls will use:
Lexi Kilfoyl, RHP: The transfer from Alabama threw a no-hitter against Georgia in a Monday night SEC Network showdown last season. “That’s no joke,” Gajewski said. “So she brings a lot of experience. I got a chance to recruit her when I was at Florida when she was very young, and so I think that relationship kind of helped in this process. She was highly recruited out of the portal, so we were able to win that battle there.”
Ivy Rosenberry, RHP: A transfer from Virginia Tech is a power pitcher. “Who I think is a hidden gem,” Gajewski said. “When she throws in our intersquad, it’s 68 to 71 (mph). There’s been some 72s occasionally.”
Kyra Aycock, RHP: The freshman from Newnan, Georgia was highly recruited power pitcher. “Who has probably opened my eyes in a different way than I thought I would see to start with. I just thought she was going to struggle at first. … She looks like she hasn’t had a bad day here, which is rare for a freshman.”
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Cowgirls will have four new faces in field, including Southmoore product Tallen Edwards
Four of the Cowgirls position players return: catcher Taylor Tuck, shortstop Kiley Naomi, center fielder Chyenne Factor and right fielder Katelynn Carwile.
That means four new faces:
First base: Kansas transfer Micaela Wark has gotten the nod over Morgyn Wynne. “I would say she’s probably a notch ahead right now,” Gajewski said of Wark.
Second base: Purdue transfer Rachel Becker played shortstop before, but after competing for that spot, Gajewski told Becker she didn’t lose the battle but wanted to leave Naomi at short.
Third base: Megan Bloodworth, another Alabama transfer, will start there. “She’s a really good defender,” Gajewski said. “She’s got some things going in her bat, too, that I think will be exciting. Fearless. Tough kid.”
Left field: Tallen Edwards, who should be a senior at Southmoore High School but reclassified and is now a freshman, will be in left. “What she’s done here has been amazing,” Gajewski said. “Should be a senior. This is a whole new world to her. She’s had way more good days than tough days. She can play anywhere.”
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Season opener
OSU VS. OREGON: 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State softball: Kenny Gajewski, Cowgirls talk at media day
