OSB 2013: No. 3 – Central wins D-II softball title

UCO entered the NCAA Division II national tournament as an at-large bid, but once they got in, the Bronchos never looked back.

The Central Bronchos win the first-ever women’s team sport national title. Photo courtesy UCO Photographic Services.

Central (51-11) won nine straight games, culminated with an extra-inning thriller in the championship game to win the first-ever national title for a women’s team in school history.

UCO defeated Kutztown, 5-2, in nine innings.

Junior pitcher Kalynn Schrock (34-6) was named the Tournament MVP.  She pitched complete games in the final 10 games of the season – totaling 64 innings – and was the only pitcher who saw the mound for UCO through the entirety of the national tournament.  Her 34 wins was the most in D-II for the season.

Also representing the Bronchos on the all-tournament team were Kacie Edwards, Ally Dziadula, Kaylee Brunson, Tori Collet and Nicole Workman.

It looked like the happy ending for UCO would come in the seventh.  Edwards, who was named All-American from three organizations, broke a 1-1 tie with a bases-loaded single, sending in Collet.  But Kutztown sent the game to extras on its final strike, with a double that scored a runner and tying the game at 2-2.

Edwards seemed destined, though, to being in the game winning run.  With two on, she did just that by way of a two-run double in the top of the ninth inning.  Sam Cool then doubled in Edwards, as the Bronchos put in three runs in the inning.

The win was the 475th career victory for coach Genny Stidham.  Along with assistant Cody White, the staff was named Coaching Staff of the Year at the regional and national levels.

OSB 2013: No. 4 – Stars, Ronold take national titles in golf
OSB 2013: No. 5 – Marcus Smart’s decision to stay at OSU
OSB 2013: No. 6 – Thriller in Muskogee for the CSFL title
OSB 2013: No. 7 – All four Oklahoma D-I schools dance in the Big Dance
OSB 2013: No. 8 – SNU women’s basketball wins its eighth national title
OSB 2013: No. 9 – Three unbelievable March days for Millwood
OSB 2013: No. 10 – Southwestern women win in the NCAA Tournament