STILLWATER — The level of panic that flooded Cowgirl Stadium with two outs in the top of the seventh inning surpassed anything that has been felt when the Oklahoma State softball team was in danger of losing a game.
When a line drive ricocheted off the throwing hand of OSU pitcher Ruby Meylan, causing the ace to drop her glove and walk immediately toward the dugout, far more than the game was in jeopardy.
“I saw the season flashing in front of me just real quick,” OSU coach Kenny Gajewski said.
But after getting checked by coaches and the athletic trainer, Meylan fought past the pain to record the final out of a 7-5 win over No. 11 Arizona on Sunday afternoon.
“She hit it hard and I’m just glad Ruby was able to persevere through it,” said catcher Audrey Schneidmiller, who provided the winning runs with a two-run homer in the fifth inning.
The win clinched a series victory for the Cowgirls, giving them three wins in the last five days against teams ranked 16th or better in the RPI. With OSU in need of wins like that to improve its case for a top-16 seed in the NCAA Tournament, this has been a valuable week.
But it doesn’t end now. The Cowgirls head south to take on Texas, which holds a No. 5 poll ranking but is No. 2 in the RPI before a three-game series at Baylor.
“I wish I could say ‘Whew, take a breath,’” Gajewski said. “There’s no rest for the weary. But it feels good. I’m gonna sleep good tonight, I can tell you that.”
Oklahoma State Cowgirls pitcher Ruby Meylan (66) celebrates with teammates after a Bedlam softball game between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Oklahoma Sooners at Devon Park in Oklahoma CIty, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Oklahoma State won 6-4.The ball gets past Oklahoma Sooners infielder Ailana Agbayani (50) in the fifth inning of a Bedlam softball game between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Oklahoma Sooners at Devon Park in Oklahoma CIty, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Oklahoma State won 6-4.Oklahoma State Cowgirls infielder Rosie Davis (26) celebrates at second base in front of Oklahoma Sooners infielder Gabbie Garcia (42) in the fifth inning of a Bedlam softball game between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Oklahoma Sooners at Devon Park in Oklahoma CIty, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Oklahoma State won 6-4.Oklahoma State Cowgirls pitcher Ruby Meylan (66) celebrates during a Bedlam softball game between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Oklahoma Sooners at Devon Park in Oklahoma CIty, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Oklahoma State won 6-4.Oklahoma State Cowgirls pitcher Ruby Meylan (66) celebrates with teammates after a Bedlam softball game between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Oklahoma Sooners at Devon Park in Oklahoma CIty, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Oklahoma State won 6-4.Oklahoma State Cowgirls infielder Lexi McDonald (31) celebrates at second base in front of Oklahoma Sooners infielder Ailana Agbayani (50) in the second inning of a Bedlam softball game between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Oklahoma Sooners at Devon Park in Oklahoma CIty, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Oklahoma State won 6-4.Oklahoma Sooners outfielder Kai Minor (22) dives for the ball in the third inning of a Bedlam softball game between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Oklahoma Sooners at Devon Park in Oklahoma CIty, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Oklahoma State won 6-4.Oklahoma State coach Kenny Gajewski talks with Oklahoma State Cowgirls infielder Rosie Davis (26) during a Bedlam softball game between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Oklahoma Sooners at Devon Park in Oklahoma CIty, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Oklahoma State won 6-4.Oklahoma State Cowgirls infielder Aubrey Jones (7) tries to control the ball as Oklahoma Sooners infielder Ailana Agbayani (50) slides to second in the fourth inning of a Bedlam softball game between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Oklahoma Sooners at Devon Park in Oklahoma CIty, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Oklahoma State won 6-4.Oklahoma State Cowgirls outfielder Kaya Booker (99) slides home to score a run in the fourth inning of a Bedlam softball game between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Oklahoma Sooners at Devon Park in Oklahoma CIty, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Oklahoma State won 6-4.Oklahoma State Cowgirls outfielder Jayelle Austin (34) celebrates beside Oklahoma Sooners infielder Ailana Agbayani (50) at second base after driving in a run in the fourth inning of a Bedlam softball game between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Oklahoma Sooners at Devon Park in Oklahoma CIty, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Oklahoma State won 6-4.1 / 11Oklahoma State vs OU softball in Bedlam action in OKC, see top photosOklahoma State Cowgirls pitcher Ruby Meylan (66) celebrates with teammates after a Bedlam softball game between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Oklahoma Sooners at Devon Park in Oklahoma CIty, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Oklahoma State won 6-4.1 / 11Oklahoma State vs OU softball in Bedlam action in OKC, see top photosOklahoma State Cowgirls pitcher Ruby Meylan (66) celebrates with teammates after a Bedlam softball game between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Oklahoma Sooners at Devon Park in Oklahoma CIty, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Oklahoma State won 6-4.2 / 11Oklahoma State vs OU softball in Bedlam action in OKC, see top photosThe ball gets past Oklahoma Sooners infielder Ailana Agbayani (50) in the fifth inning of a Bedlam softball game between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Oklahoma Sooners at Devon Park in Oklahoma CIty, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Oklahoma State won 6-4.3 / 11Oklahoma State vs OU softball in Bedlam action in OKC, see top photosOklahoma State Cowgirls infielder Rosie Davis (26) celebrates at second base in front of Oklahoma Sooners infielder Gabbie Garcia (42) in the fifth inning of a Bedlam softball game between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Oklahoma Sooners at Devon Park in Oklahoma CIty, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Oklahoma State won 6-4.4 / 11Oklahoma State vs OU softball in Bedlam action in OKC, see top photosOklahoma State Cowgirls pitcher Ruby Meylan (66) celebrates during a Bedlam softball game between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Oklahoma Sooners at Devon Park in Oklahoma CIty, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Oklahoma State won 6-4.5 / 11Oklahoma State vs OU softball in Bedlam action in OKC, see top photosOklahoma State Cowgirls pitcher Ruby Meylan (66) celebrates with teammates after a Bedlam softball game between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Oklahoma Sooners at Devon Park in Oklahoma CIty, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Oklahoma State won 6-4.6 / 11Oklahoma State vs OU softball in Bedlam action in OKC, see top photosOklahoma State Cowgirls infielder Lexi McDonald (31) celebrates at second base in front of Oklahoma Sooners infielder Ailana Agbayani (50) in the second inning of a Bedlam softball game between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Oklahoma Sooners at Devon Park in Oklahoma CIty, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Oklahoma State won 6-4.7 / 11Oklahoma State vs OU softball in Bedlam action in OKC, see top photosOklahoma Sooners outfielder Kai Minor (22) dives for the ball in the third inning of a Bedlam softball game between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Oklahoma Sooners at Devon Park in Oklahoma CIty, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Oklahoma State won 6-4.8 / 11Oklahoma State vs OU softball in Bedlam action in OKC, see top photosOklahoma State coach Kenny Gajewski talks with Oklahoma State Cowgirls infielder Rosie Davis (26) during a Bedlam softball game between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Oklahoma Sooners at Devon Park in Oklahoma CIty, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Oklahoma State won 6-4.9 / 11Oklahoma State vs OU softball in Bedlam action in OKC, see top photosOklahoma State Cowgirls infielder Aubrey Jones (7) tries to control the ball as Oklahoma Sooners infielder Ailana Agbayani (50) slides to second in the fourth inning of a Bedlam softball game between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Oklahoma Sooners at Devon Park in Oklahoma CIty, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Oklahoma State won 6-4.10 / 11Oklahoma State vs OU softball in Bedlam action in OKC, see top photosOklahoma State Cowgirls outfielder Kaya Booker (99) slides home to score a run in the fourth inning of a Bedlam softball game between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Oklahoma Sooners at Devon Park in Oklahoma CIty, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Oklahoma State won 6-4.11 / 11Oklahoma State vs OU softball in Bedlam action in OKC, see top photosOklahoma State Cowgirls outfielder Jayelle Austin (34) celebrates beside Oklahoma Sooners infielder Ailana Agbayani (50) at second base after driving in a run in the fourth inning of a Bedlam softball game between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Oklahoma Sooners at Devon Park in Oklahoma CIty, Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Oklahoma State won 6-4.Cowgirls provide critical responseGajewski said he sensed poor energy around his team prior to Saturday’s game, a 9-1 run-rule win by Arizona.
Then the Wildcats struck for four runs in the top of the first inning, and Gajewski wasn’t quite sure what to expect.
“I initially thought, ‘Well, we’re gonna have to dig in. We’re gonna find out where we’re at,’” Gajewski said. “I was a little concerned, but seven innings, Ruby’s good.”
When leadoff hitter Claire Timm reached on a bunt single in the bottom of the first, Gajewski felt the mood rise, and his nerves settled. A walk and a single loaded the bases and Lexi McDonald continued her hot hitting with a two-run single.
Amanda Hasler singled in a run and another scored when Tia Warsop grounded into a double play, tying the game at 4.
From there, the offense was dialed in and Meylan rebooted, allowing one run on three hits over the final six innings to earn her 20th win of the year.
The responses to both the Saturday loss and Sunday’s early deficit were comforting for Gajewski.
“A great response by this program and this team,” he said. “When we answered back, I thought we were in a good spot. Ruby was more mentally fatigued than physically.
“We knew it was gonna be a grind, especially against a good, well-coached team. Good weekend.”
More: Big 12 softball power rankings: Keep an eye on upstart Kansas
Some of OSU’s biggest wins this season have included key hits by Schneidmiller.
She forced extra innings against Nebraska with a two-out, RBI single in the bottom of the seventh of an eventual OSU win. She put the Cowgirls up in the fourth inning of the Bedlam win on Wednesday night.