In a tightly contested quarterfinal matchup at the 2025 Big 12 Softball Tournament, No. 5 seed Arizona State emerged victorious over No. 4 seed Oklahoma State with a 2-1 win on Thursday in Oklahoma City.
The Sun Devils, a team looking to solidify its tournament resume, capitalized on key moments and rode an impressive pitching performance to advance to Friday’s semifinal round.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma State has now dropped its first game in the Big 12 Tournament in three consecutive seasons, and leaves the Cowgirls in a tough spot ahead of Selection Sunday.
1. Kenzie Brown Was Unhittable When It Mattered Most
Arizona State’s chances in this game started and ended with Kenzie Brown playing her best, and the junior right-hander delivered in a massive way. Brown racked up 13 strikeouts in a complete-game performance, baffling Oklahoma State’s lineup all afternoon as she held the Cowgirls to a .136 (3-22) average at the plate. In addition to allowing just three hits, she worked her way out of several tight spots, including a momentum-swinging jam in the fifth when the Cowgirls loaded the bases.
Brown responded with back-to-back strikeouts to strand all three runners and preserve the Sun Devils’ lead. That moment felt like a turning point—and Brown owned it. She now moves to 19-6 on the year and gives ASU a legitimate ace to ride into the weekend.
2. Arizona State Made the Most of Limited Chances
It wasn’t an offensive explosion by any means, but the Sun Devils took advantage of the few opportunities they had. Samantha Swan broke the scoreless tie in the fourth inning with a solo shot to left, providing the jolt that the ASU dugout needed to get going.
Then, in the sixth, Tanya Windle added a key insurance run with a sacrifice fly, cashing in on a leadoff double and smart baserunning. ASU only had four hits on the day, but they made each one count. In tournament play, that kind of situational execution is what separates contenders from one-and-done exits.
3. Oklahoma State’s Missed Chances Proved Costly
The Cowgirls had their chances—they just couldn’t cash in. Oklahoma State left seven runners on base, including three in the fifth inning, when it looked like they were on the verge of flipping the game. But Brown’s two-strike command and ASU’s defensive poise shut the door, and now they’re left to sit at home and await their fate for regional weekend.
If there’s a silver lining to be had, Ruby Meylan pitched well enough to win, allowing just four hits and two runs while keeping the Sun Devils off balance for most of the game. But great pitching doesn’t always get rewarded when the bats go cold at the worst time of year. OSU drops to 33-18 on the season and will now wait to see where they land in the NCAA bracket.
Arizona State, meanwhile, is one win away from a spot in the Big 12 title game. The Sun Devils will face the winner of Texas Tech vs. Baylor in Friday’s semifinal.
