Cowgirls split games at Michele Smith Invitational

CLEARWATER, FLA — The Oklahoma State softball team split its two matchups on the opening day of the Michele Smith Pediatric Cancer Foundation Invitational, falling to No. 10-ranked Tennessee 5-1, and beating Florida Atlantic 5-3 in eight innings.

Against Tennessee, the Cowgirls found themselves in an early hole after surrendering two runs in the first frame. OSU also allowed a runner to cross in the second inning and a pair of Lady Volunteers scored on a two-out double by Abby Lockman in the top of the fifth.

The Cowgirls took the early edge against FAU in the day's second contest after Sydney Pennington launched a homer over the left-field wall.

Emmie Robertson held FAU scoreless in the first five innings, but the Owls tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the sixth.

OSU quickly bounced back, tacking on two runs in the top of the seventh, but the Owls again responded by knotting the game with two runs of their own, forcing extra innings.

Senior Vanessa Shippy opened the eighth inning on second base, and Taylor Lynch quickly moved her forward with a double to center field. Madi Sue Montgomery then drove in Shippy with a sacrifice fly to center.

OSU added a second extra-inning run on a sacrifice fly by Pennington.

Logan Simunek pitched two innings in relief to help seal the victory for the