Coach Kenny Gajewski and the fifth-seeded Oklahoma State Cowgirls open the NCAA softball tournament Friday afternoon against Northern Colorado.
Here's what you need to know about the Cowgirls (44-10) and Bears (27-24):
More: Why Oklahoma State softball's Kyra Ayco*ck is among most important players in postseason
Oklahoma State softball live score updates vs. Northern Colorado
Final: Cowgirls win 6-0, come up short of perfect game
OSU came one out away from its first perfect game in postseason play, but Ella Gonzalez’ grounder to second base bounced off the heel of Rosie Davis’ glove as she tried to make a backhanded play on a hit up the middle.
Northern Colorado fans cheered as the scoreboard changed from zero to one in the Bears’ hit column.
OSU still closed out the NCAA Tournament opener, 6-0, and advances to face Kentucky at noon Saturday in the winner’s bracket final at Cowgirl Stadium.
Michigan and Northern Colorado will meet in an elimination game at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
— Scott Wright, Staff writer
End of 6: Poullard, McDonald drive in runs
With a towering fly ball that bounced off the top of the left field fence, Jilyen Poullard nearly had her second home run of the day. Instead, she had to settle for a two-run double and a 6-0 OSU lead.
The hit was initially called a home run, but after video review, it was ruled the ball never left the field of play. The runners scored, but Poullard was sent to second with a double.
The inning began with singles by Rosie Davis and Micaela Wark to set the table for Lexi McDonald, who drove in a run for a 4-0 OSU lead.
Rosenberry returns to the circle for her second inning of relief three outs away from the first postseason perfect game in OSU history. She will face the top three batters in the Bears' order.
— Scott Wright, Staff writer
Middle of 6: Rosenberry retires Bears in order
The pitcher changed, but the results did not for the Oklahoma State defense. Ivy Rosenberry entered in relief of Lexi Kilfoyl, who was perfect through five innings, and Rosenberry kept the perfecto alive with a foul lineout and two groundouts.
— Scott Wright, Staff writer
End of 5: Claire Timm shows off glove
Northern Colorado finally got a hit out of the infield, but OSU right fielder Claire Timm kept the defense rolling with a diving catch in foul territory. The Bears are still seeking their first hit.
Ivy Rosenberry will take the circle for the sixth with the Cowgirls on top 3-0.
End of 4: Another clean frame for Kilfoyl
Lexi Kilfoyl keeps mowing down Northern Colorado hitters. She has yet to allow a ball out of the infield.
Offensively, OSU picked up another baserunner but could not add to its 3-0 lead.
— Scott Wright, Staff writer
End of 3: Cowgirls extend lead to 3-0
With a Jilyen Poullard home run to the opposite field, and an RBI infield single by Rosie Davis, OSU leads 3-0 after three innings.
Pitcher Lexi Kilfoyl continues to keep the Bears off balance in a hitless effort through three innings.
— Scott Wright, Staff writer
End of 2: Empty inning both ways
OSU pitcher Lexi Kilfoyl has yet to let a ball leave the infield, recording five groundouts and a strikeout through two innings.
The Cowgirls went down in order in their half of the second and remain up 1-0 heading to the third.
— Scott Wright, Staff writer
End of 1: Cowgirls take early lead
OSU freshman Rosie Davis lined a double off the top of the left-center field wall to score Caroline Wang and give OSU a 1-0 lead over Northern Colorado after one inning in the Stillwater Regional opener.
Cowgirl pitcher Lexi Kilfoyl sent the Bears down in order in the top half of the inning.
— Scott Wright, Staff writer
Kentucky defeats Michigan
With a walk-off bloop single in the bottom of the seventh inning, second-seeded Kentucky defeated Michigan 4-3 in the opening game of the Stillwater Regional on Friday afternoon at Cowgirl Stadium.
Oklahoma State, the top seed in the regional and the No. 5 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, will face Northern Colorado with the first pitch set for 5:10 p.m.
The OSU-Northern Colorado winner will face Kentucky at noon Saturday in the winner’s bracket final, with the loser taking on Michigan at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in an elimination game.
—Scott Wright, Staff writer
More: 2024 NCAA Softball Tournament regional and Women's College World Series predictions
OSU softball highlights vs. Northern Colorado
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What time does OSU softball vs. Northern Colorado start?
Date: Friday, May 17
Time: 4:30 p.m. CT
Where: Cowgirl Stadium in Stillwater
More: What are Oklahoma State softball's best- & worst-case scenarios for 2024 NCAA Tournament?
What channel is OSU softball vs. Northern Colorado on today?
Streaming: ESPN+
How to watch online: Watch ESPN (here's how to stream it live)
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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State softball cruises past Northern Colorado in NCAA opener
