OSU Softball Picked Third in Conference Preseason Poll

Softball in the Big 12 conference looks like it will be exciting this season. 

The conference released its preseason poll on Wednesday, and Oklahoma State was picked third in the poll. 

Oklahoma collected the top spot in the poll, making it the 12th season in a row the Sooners have secured the No. 1 ranking in the poll. 

Texas, who swept the Cowgirls in the regular season last year, comes in No. 2 in the preseason poll. 

Behind OSU is Baylor, who the Cowgirls swept in the regular season last season. 

UCF settles at No. 5 in the preseason poll, the highest of the three new Big 12 teams this season. 

Last season, OSU posted a 47-16 record, including reaching the Women's College World Series for a fourth-straight season. 

OSU will look to prove some people wrong this season as most of its offensive production is gone, including Kiley Naomi, Rachel Becker and Chyenne Factor graduating after the 2023 season. 

The surprise this offseason came from the pitching staff. Four-year pitcher Kelly Maxwell transferred to Oklahoma, and she will be one of the Sooners top pitchers heading into the season. 

Maxwell's departure is a key loss, but Lexi Kilfoyl and Kyra Aycock will fill the hole this season, giving the Cowgirls experience and leadership on the pitching staff this season.

Cowgirl head coach Kenny Gajewski did go into the portal this offseason, adding catcher Caroline Wang and utility player Jilyen Poullard to the roster. 

Oklahoma State opens Big 12 play on March 8 against Baylor in Waco. Before the conference opener, OSU will start its season taking on Cal-State Northridge on Feb. 8 in California. 

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