Get to know the 2023 Oklahoma State Cowgirls softball team and schedule

STILLWATER — Many of the faces are new, but the goals are still the same for the Oklahoma State softball team.

Ranked third in the coaches’ poll, the Cowgirls have eyes not only on a fourth consecutive Women’s College World Series appearance, but a shot at the title that Bedlam rival Oklahoma still holds.

Still, the roster looks quite different than the one that carried OSU to a semifinal appearance last spring.

Of the 10 players who had at least 100 at-bats last season, three — Kiley Naomi, Chyenne Factor and Katelynn Carwile — are back this season. And the pitching staff returns only ace Kelly Maxwell from the primary rotation.

So coach Kenny Gajewski has work to do in melding a crop of new talent from the transfer portal and the high school ranks on the Cowgirl quest for a crown.

The Cowgirls open the season on Friday in Mexico at the Puerto Vallarta College Classic, where they will face Oregon, North Carolina, Maryland and Ole Miss.

Here’s a look at players OSU will be counting on this season:

More: Why Kelly Maxwell's plan to return for 2024 is colossal for Cowgirls

Catcher

Taylor Tuck

Super-senior, Stillwater

Tuck batted .275 and played solid defense last season while splitting time, but she’ll be the primary option behind the dish for Gajewski. A reliable veteran, Tuck will be counted on in the bottom half of the order.

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Infielders

Micaela Wark

Redshirt freshman, Frisco, Texas

An injury kept Wark off the field as a freshman at Kansas last year, then she jumped in the transfer portal. A power bat who could find her way into the meat of the order, Wark shows signs of being a pleasant surprise at first base for the Cowgirls.

Rachel Becker

Super-senior, Lindenhurst, Ill.

Twice a first-team All-Big Ten selection who added third-team NFCA All-America honors last season, Becker steps into two key vacancies for the Cowgirls at second base and the leadoff spot. The transfer from Purdue, where she’s the program’s all-time runs leader with 149, batted .429 and .479 the past two seasons.

Kiley Naomi

Super-senior, Lafayette, La.

The anchor of OSU’s defense the previous four seasons at shortstop, Naomi is back with an eye on reinvigorating her offense after a difficult 2022 season. Naomi entered last year with a .310 career batting average, but hit .224 with six home runs and 21 RBIs. A return toward her career numbers seems likely.

Megan Bloodworth

Sophomore, Cordele, Ga.

A transfer from Alabama, Bloodworth slots in at third base for the Cowgirls and brings a reliable glove and strong bat. She had seven home runs with 30 RBIs and a .961 OPS last season.

More: Kenny Gajewski built OSU softball program on grassroots recruiting

Outfielders

Chyenne Factor

Super-senior, Yukon

Back for a fifth year patrolling center field is the player Gajewski calls “Steady Eddie.” Factor is coming off a season in which she batted .303 with 10 home runs and 35 RBIs, getting on base at a .435 clip. A stellar defender, Factor should be back in her usual role near the top of the batting order.

Katelynn Carwile

Junior, Purcell

Last season’s surprise emergence, Carwile entered the lineup a few weeks in late February and never left it, hitting .335 with seven home runs and a team-best 14 doubles. She’ll be back in right field, which was a new position a year ago, though she has shown herself to be comfortable in the outfield.

Tallen Edwards

Freshman, Moore

A star at Southmoore High School where she helped the Sabercats to two Class 6A state championships, Edwards reclassified to enroll at OSU a year early and has emerged as the top candidate in left field. A gifted and versatile athlete, Edwards can play multiple positions and will serve as the No. 3 catcher, if needed.

Pitchers

Kelly Maxwell

Redshirt senior, Friendswood, Texas

The ace of the staff and the most important piece of the puzzle, Maxwell is back after an All-American season in which she had a 1.22 ERA, struck out 313 batters in 189 ⅔ innings and threw 20 complete games. One of the top pitchers in the country, Maxwell is the key to the Cowgirls’ ultimate success.

Lexi Kilfoyl

Senior, Land O’ Lakes, Fla.

A transfer from Alabama, Kilfoyl is a strong No. 2 arm behind Maxwell. She made 13 starts for ‘Bama last season and threw a perfect game against Georgia. She’ll also see time in the batting order as a designated player.

Ivy Rosenberry

Junior, Winchester, Va.

A power pitcher who saw limited usage at Virginia Tech before transferring, Rosenberry will be a key piece of the bullpen to help keep the top two starters fresh. She appeared in 23 games over two seasons, but threw a no-hitter against Longwood last season.

Kyra Aycock

Freshman, Newnan, Ga.

Rated as the No. 10 pitcher in the country in the 2022 recruiting class, Aycock is a hard thrower who could gather innings and provide a different look to hitters than what Maxwell and Kilfoyl offer.

Bailie Runner

Sophomore, Oologah

Runner did not appear in a game for last season, but has developed into a viable option in the bullpen, providing even more depth to an already deep pitching staff.

More: Inside Tallen Edwards' decision to reclassify, join OSU softball a year early

Utility/Reserves

Audrey Schneidmiller

Sophomore, Burleson, Texas

The Cowgirls’ backup catcher, Schneidmiller will rotate in regularly, particularly early in the season. She did not play a year ago, but will have an important role as a sophomore.

Morgyn Wynne

Super-senior, Concord, Calif.

Wynne could get at-bats at a variety of different spots, including first base and designated player. A power hitter who transferred from Kansas prior to last season, Wynne has been looking to get back in the rhythm that saw her hit 17 home runs in 2021.

Claire Timm

Freshman, Buena Park, Calif.

Timm is a gifted player who is going to get a shot to show she belongs in the lineup. Gajewski says she could be the “missing link” for this team. She should be in the rotation at first base and designated player to begin the year.

Katie Lott

Freshman, Cypress, Texas

Another freshman challenging for immediate playing time, Lott should get some opportunities in the outfield. She batted .500 in her final high school season.

Scotland David

Junior, Ponte Vedra, Fla.

A speedy outfielder who has been valuable as a pinch-runner the past two seasons, David could be in a similar role once again.

Sophie Page

Sophomore, Chatom, Ala.

A middle infielder who played 42 games at UAB last season, Page brings some experience and depth off the bench.

Alex Waittman

Redshirt freshman, Tuttle

A transfer from OU who did not appear in a game last season, Waittman was a highly regarded prospect at Crossings Christian in the 2021 class.

Angelina Craig

Freshman, Buffalo Park, Ill.

An outfield prospect from the touted freshman class, Craig could find a way to contribute off the bench.

Lexi McDonald

Freshman, Silo

The Cowgirls have had some luck with small-town Oklahoma players and McDonald could be next in line.

Haidyn Sokolosky

Freshman, Flower Mound, Texas

Yet another speedy outfielder who could be helpful in a bench role.

—Scott Wright, Staff writer

2023 Oklahoma State softball schedule

%Puerto Vallarta College Challenge

$TaxAct Clearwater Invitational

!Troy Cox Classic

#OSU/Tulsa Invitational

&Cowgirl Invitational

@OSU Mizuno Classic

^Big 12 Conference

*Three-game series

(DH)Doubleheader

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OSU softball: Oklahoma State Cowgirls roster, schedule for 2023 season