Oklahoma State Settles at No. 12 in D1 Softball Preseason Poll

Another poll, another top 15-ranking for Oklahoma State. 

Last Week, Softball America placed the Cowgirls at No. 14 in its preseason poll. On Tuesday, D1 Softball released its preseason poll, and OSU was placed as the No. 12 team in the country.

In-state rival headlines the poll as Oklahoma starts out as the No. 1 team in the country. Big 12 foes Texas and Baylor also crack the top 25, two opponents that the Cowgirls will also face this season.  

Kenny Gajweski and his squad secured a 47-16 record in the 2023 season, including reaching its fourth-straight Women's College World Series. 

The offseason didn't start out so hot as four-year starting pitcher Kelly Maxwell transferred to Oklahoma, making the Sooners' pitching staff one of the top groups in the country. 

She wasn't the only Cowgirl gone as Rachel Becker, Kiley Naomi and Chyenne Factor graduated after the 2023 season. 

Losing Maxwell and other players means you lose veteran leadership, but replacing it won't be tough as pitchers Lexi Kilfoyl and Kyra Aycock, outfielder Tallen Edwards and infielders Megan Bloodworth and Micaela Wark will be back on the team for the 2024 season. 

One of the key positions Gajewski and staff had to replace was the catcher as Taylor Tuck graduated in 2023. Gajewski turned to the transfer portal, and he found catcher Caroline Wang.

Wang comes from Liberty, where she was a two-time ASUN Player of the Year. She posted a .318 batting average, 15 home runs and 51 RBIs in the 2023 season. 

Another transfer Gajewski grabbed is utility player Jilyen Poullard. 

Poullard comes from McNeese, where she played only nine games in 2023 before leaving the team. Her best season came in 2022, where she led McNeese in all major categories, including a team-high 45 RBIs in 2022. 

Before tackling the Sooners and the rest of the Big 12 conference, Oklahoma State will start it the season in California. 

OSU opens its season on Feb. 8, where it will take on California State University, Northridge.

Want to join the discussion? Like All Pokes on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest Cowboys news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.