Kelly Maxwell, Oklahoma State shut down Clemson in NCAA softball super regional opener

STILLWATER — Oklahoma State pitcher Kelly Maxwell smiled and nodded, the way someone might after winning a game of rock-paper-scissors.

Maxwell, however, had just struck out her 13th Clemson hitter of the night to seal seventh-seeded OSU’s 2-0 win over the 10th-seeded Tigers (42-16) in the opening game of the best-of-three NCAA Super Regional series Thursday night before 1,068 fans at Cowgirl Stadium.

The win moved OSU (45-12) one win away from a third consecutive trip to the Women’s College World Series, but don’t try to judge the enormity of Maxwell’s performance by the junior left-hander’s outward show of emotion.

“From a young age, that was just instilled in me,” Maxwell said of her reserved, no-moment-too-big attitude. “My parents are like that. I was raised to be humble and keep my emotions to myself. So I just carry that to the game, and I think it helps calm my defense in those big situations, to know that I have their back and they have mine.”

NCAA softball: Oklahoma State sweeps Clemson in Stillwater Super Regional, heads to WCWS

Maxwell dazzled on Thursday, the way she has throughout the NCAA Tournament. In improving to 19-4 on the season, Maxwell threw her 11th complete-game shutout of the year — and her third in the last seven days — allowing two hits and one walk.

Through 19 innings pitched between the Regional and Super Regional rounds, she has allowed six hits, walked two batters and struck out 38.

And though she might not celebrate wildly, her unrattleable approach commands respect from whomever steps into the batter’s box.

“I’m an emotional wreck, and she’s over here, just Steady Eddie, just calm and cool,” OSU coach Kenny Gajewski said. “It’s really cool. We have some people who compete in a lot of different ways here. You have some who are pumping fists, screaming at everyone, and then you’ve got (Maxwell) that just sits there. You don’t really know if she’s up four or down four or how big the moment is.

“I think it’s very calming to our whole program. It’s probably calming to our fans. They want to win as bad as we want to win.”

With the way Maxwell was blazing through the Clemson lineup, the Cowgirls just needed to find a way to get one run across.

Despite getting at least one baserunner aboard in five of their six innings against Clemson starting pitcher Millie Thompson, OSU couldn’t push one around until the bottom of the fifth.

Tramel's ScissorTales: Oklahoma State softball beats Clemson with homegrown offense

Senior catcher Taylor Tuck led off with a double to the wall in right-center field. Tuck stepped aside for pinch-runner Brianna Evans, who advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Kiley Naomi. Chelsea Alexander walked and stole second before Chyenne Factor hit a hard grounder past the drawn-in infield to bring both runners home.

Like Maxwell, Factor has been clutch of late. Including the Big 12 Tournament, Factor has eight RBIs during OSU’s seven-game postseason win streak.

With the two-run cushion, Maxwell went back to work, allowing only a harmless infield single over the final two innings, recording the final four outs via strikeout.

“I think everything was working, just being able to get their hitters off timing,” Maxwell said. “Having my off-speed working tonight, and then my rise, too, was spinning well.”

The teams will meet in the second game of the series at 8 p.m. Friday, televised by ESPN2. The Cowgirls are likely to pitch senior Morgan Day, while Clemson is expected to throw Valerie Cagle. 

“I know that Clemson’s got their back up against the wall, and I told our team they’re gonna come out and play their best game. I know it,” Gajewski said. “And we’re gonna do the same thing. We’re gonna have to, to beat them.”

She Said, He Said: SEC woes, Pac-12 triumphs & things we've learned from NCAA softball

No. 7 OSU vs. No. 10 Clemson

NCAA Super Regional at Cowgirl Stadium in Stillwater:

Thursday: OSU 2, Clemson 0

Friday: 8 p.m., ESPN2

x-Saturday: TBD (x-if necessary)

More: Why did Katelynn Carwile pick Oklahoma State softball at age 13? 'When you know, you know'

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma State beats Clemson in NCAA softball super regional opener