Liberty transfer Caroline Wang shows off power in her Oklahoma State softball debut

STILLWATER — The Oklahoma State softball team’s perfect opening weekend concluded with a meaningful 9-1 run-rule victory at perennial power UCLA on Sunday.

The Cowgirls mostly blazed through everyone they faced in going 5-0 in Southern California.

Weather caused a couple of changes to the schedule, but none of it slowed OSU, which ended four of its five games early via run rule.

Here’s a look at what we learned about the Cowgirls:

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No. 9 Oklahoma State

Record: 5-0

Last week: 5-0 (Beat Cal State Northridge 8-0, beat Loyola Marymount 1-0, beat Utah State 10-1, beat UC Riverside 11-3, beat No. 10 UCLA 9-1)

This week: At Clearwater Invitational in Clearwater, Florida (vs. No. 6 Georgia, 9 a.m. Friday; vs. Wisconsin, 2:30 p.m. Friday; vs. LSU, 9:30 a.m. Saturday; vs. Northwestern, 3 p.m. Saturday; vs. Georgia Tech, 11:30 a.m. Sunday)

Bottom of Cowgirls order big at UCLA

Backing up a strong pitching performance against the Bruins on Sunday, it was the batters in the sixth through ninth spots in the OSU order who ignited the rout.

The Cowgirls led 1-0 in the top of the second when nine-hole hitter Megan Bloodworth hit her first home run of the season, a two-run shot to right-center field.

Then, leading 3-1 in the top of the fifth, No. 6 hitter Katie Lott hit a two-run homer to left field, which was promptly followed by No. 8 hitter Rosie Davis’ first home run as a Cowgirl — a solo shot for a 6-1 lead.

From there, the top of the order put the game in run-rule territory, with leadoff hitter Tallen Edwards hitting her first home run of the year, and freshman Karli Godwin driving in the final run.

Bloodworth’s opening weekend was particularly promising. Having moved from third base to shortstop, Bloodworth’s glove is critical, but her offense could bring a notable boost.

After transferring from Alabama, she batted .192 with two home runs last year, but went 4-for-12 with a triple, a home run and three runs batted in to start the season.

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Exciting start for Caroline Wang

Transferring from Liberty in the Atlantic Sun Conference, Caroline Wang came to OSU with a bit of intrigue. But it was hard to know how the super-senior catcher would transition to Power Five softball.

So far, so good.

Wang, who split time behind the plate with junior Audrey Schneidmiller, came off the bench in the second game of the season as a pinch-hitter in the top of the seventh inning of a scoreless game at Loyola Marymount.

Wang hit a two-out solo home run that turned out to be the game-winner.

But she had more work to do.

She went 3 for 4 with an RBI the next day against Utah State, then went 2 for 2 with a three-run homer against UC Riverside.

For the week, Wang batted .615 (8 for 13) with six RBIs and three runs scored. She also threw out the only baserunner who attempted to steal against her.

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Pitching staff shows balance

OSU coach Kenny Gajewski spoke highly of his pitching depth going into the opening weekend, and he made sure to use it.

Five pitchers saw action, and only twice did a pitcher go more than three innings in a single outing.

Combined, the group gave up three earned runs, struck out 29 batters and walked six over 28 innings.

While ace Lexi Kilfoyl earned three wins, she did it by pitching eight shutout innings over her four appearances. She allowed two hits with no walks and seven strikeouts.

Each of OSU’s four primary pitchers — Kilfoyl, Kyra Aycock, Katie Kutz and Ivy Rosenberry — got at least six innings of work and none of them allowed more than one earned run.

Scott Wright covers Oklahoma State athletics for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Scott? He can be reached at swright@oklahoman.com or on Twitter at @ScottWrightOK. Sign up for the Oklahoma State Cowboys newsletter to access more OSU coverage. Support Scott’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com or by using the link at the top of this page.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State softball transfer Caroline Wang showing off her power