A Freshman for the Big Moment
When the moment called for someone to step up on the biggest stage, it was a freshman who answered. Amanda Hasler, Oklahoma State’s young slugger, crushed two three-run home runs to power the Cowgirls’ stunning 10-5 victory over previously unbeaten Grand Canyon on Monday night. In a game where GCU’s 30-0 record was on the line and a record crowd of 1,906 packed GCU Softball Stadium, Hasler delivered the kind of performance that defines a career.
Her first three-run shot came in the fourth inning with OSU trailing 3-0. It tied the game in one swing and completely shifted the energy in the building. Her second came later in the game, blowing it wide open and removing any doubt about the outcome. Six RBI on two swings. That’s how you end a perfect season.
OSU’s Offense Piled On After the Momentum Shift
Hasler wasn’t the only Cowgirl who showed up. Rose Davis added an RBI single and a solo home run, contributing to what became a 10-run onslaught after OSU fell behind early. The Cowgirls scored 10 unanswered runs after trailing 3-0, a feat that speaks to both their offensive firepower and their mental toughness in a hostile road environment. You don’t come back from 3-0 down against a 30-0 team unless your entire lineup is locked in.
In the circle, Ruby Meylan earned the win despite allowing 12 hits to GCU’s lineup. Meylan racked up 8 strikeouts and bent without breaking in the early innings, keeping the Cowgirls within striking distance until the offense erupted. It wasn’t a dominant pitching performance by the numbers, but it was exactly what OSU needed — someone to keep the game close long enough for the bats to wake up.
A Controversial Call Opened the Floodgates
The turning point that will be debated for weeks came in the sixth inning. With GCU clinging to a narrow lead, a borderline pitch was called a ball instead of strike three. The call extended an OSU at-bat and opened the door for a four-run inning that effectively buried the Lopes. GCU fans and coaches will rightfully point to that moment as a game-changer, but the reality is that Oklahoma State still had to capitalize — and they did, emphatically.
For GCU’s Jada Cooper, it was a strong individual performance in a losing cause. She reached base four times on the night — two hit-by-pitches, a walk, and a hit — including a two-run double that helped build the Lopes’ early 3-0 lead. But it wasn’t enough against an OSU team that found another gear when it mattered most.
What’s Next
Hasler’s breakout performance puts the rest of the Big 12 on notice. Oklahoma State improves to 19-9 with a resume-defining victory that could matter when the NCAA Tournament selection committee starts evaluating bubble teams. For GCU, the focus now shifts to bouncing back — they host San Jose State from March 20-22 before a critical road test at No. 13 Arizona on March 24. Monday night belonged to Amanda Hasler, and college softball won’t forget it anytime soon.
