Oklahoma State Softball Preview: The Catchers
There is uncertainty across several position groups for Oklahoma State this season, but one, in particular, is the person behind the plate.
Former OSU catcher Taylor Tuck graduated last season after being a staple in the Cowgirls battery for the last few seasons.
We know who is going to be pitching next season, but who will be the players catching Lexi Kilfoyl and company next season?
Caroline Wang
When Tuck left, OSU head coach Kenny Gajewski went to the portal, and he picked up a star in the ASUN Conference.
Wang, who was a two-time ASUN Player of the Year, spent her last four seasons at Liberty, where she put up stellar numbers.
The senior started 206 games at Liberty, where she tallied 35 home runs and 135 RBIs, including 51 RBIs in the 2023 season.
Her defense was amazing as well, for she was named ASUN Defensive Player of the Year in 2022.
Gajewski said Wang is one of the more experienced players on the roster, and she needs to use that to her advantage this season.
“Caroline has always been a kid who has relied on her arm, and now we are trying to get her to rely on her brain,” Gajewski said on Monday.
One of the questions people have when one player jumps from a mid-major school to a power-five school is whether or not the numbers will transfer over.
Liberty has always had some rough schedules, having faced Oklahoma, Duke, Washington and UCLA in the regular season last season.
Wang said she is hopeful that those tough schedules with the Flames will help her transition smoother at Oklahoma State
“At least, I know I’ve been there before,” Wang said on Monday. “This type of game is not above anything I have played in.
“We always loved at Liberty that coach made those schedules. That was real deal stuff, and we always competed well.”
Audrey Schneidmiller
Schneidmiller, who has spent the past three seasons at OSU, appeared in 25 games last season after missing all of her freshman season with a torn ACL.
Gajewski said he has seen significant growth from Schneidmiller this offseason, and that she and Wang will split time behind home plate for the first few weeks.
“Audrey has really improved here,” Gajewski said. “Since (Vanessa) Shippy has taken over the catchers, she has made some dramatic jumps.
“There is going to be a fight behind home plate. My idea is we catch them both. If Caroline is swinging the bat like her post numbers say; then she becomes your DP.”
The Cowgirls kick off the 2024 season on Thursday, taking on Cal State Northridge in Northridge, CA.
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