Oklahoma State Softball Preview: The Infield
All spots are up for grabs.
That is what Oklahoma State’s head coach Kenny Gajewski hinted at during Monday’s media day when discussing the defense, especially the infield.
“We are trying to put these kids in the best position to be the best that they can be, and perform the way they want to,” Gajewski said. “You’re probably going to see a Tallen (Edwards) and a Blood (Megan Bloodworth) on the left side. I just don’t know in which order yet.”
With Kiley Naomi and Rachel Becker gone, Gajewski and company are looking to fill those holes in the middle of the infield.
Rosie Davis, Karli Godwin and several other young players are the youngsters on the roster, so OSU has a lot of options in the infield.
For Sure: Megan Bloodworth and Micaela Wark
Micaela Wark and Bloodworth will be in the lineup, we just don’t know where they will be in the field.
Wark is coming off an impressive 2023 season at OSU, posting a .314 batting average with 54 hits, 10 home runs and 51 RBIs.
“What she doesn’t realize yet is; people threw to her last year because they didn’t want to get to the next one,” Gajewski said. “What she is going to find out now is they’re not going to throw to her as much. So, she is going to have to be patient.”
Bloodworth started at first base in 60 of the 61 games last season, finishing with a .927 fielding percentage last year.
She also finished with a .192 batting average with 25 hits and 17 RBIs with the Cowgirls.
We know who might be at the corners, but who will take shortstop and second base for Oklahoma State?
Middle Infield: Rosie Davis and Tallen Edwards
All three of these players will get a chance to play in the middle infield, but where they do so is the question.
“I wanna get Tallen, Bloodworth and Rose settled in on where they are going to be,” Gajewski said. “Rose has to keep proving that she can do it here. Got a couple others that are right on her heels.”
Davis, who is a freshman on this year's team, put up a solid resume in high school. In her senior season, Davis collected a .531 batting average with 52 hits, 16 home runs and 52 RBIs.
Edwards comes into her sophomore season after having a stellar start to her OSU career in the 2023 season. She compiled a .328 batting average with 57 hits, 3 home runs and 26 RBIs.
Edwards is considered the best player on this team, and Gajewski said she is ready to lead this team.
“Tallen was born to be in this,” Gajewski said. “She’s been, I don’t want to say bread into this spot, but in a way she has.”
The Cowgirls open up on Thursday, taking on Cal State Northridge at 3:00 p.m. in Northridge, CA. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
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Nick is a sports media student at Oklahoma State University, where he also minors Sports Managment. He has covered OSU softball for 107.7 The Franchise and also covers Oklahoma high school football for Enid News & Eagle.