When the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and ATEC jointly announced their decision on June 10, 2024, it was a shining moment for Oklahoma State University’s Cowgirl softball program. The honor of the Midwest Region Coaching Staff of the Year once again adorned the jerseys of head coach Kenny Gajewski and his team, marking their third time receiving this prestigious accolade. They had previously claimed the award in 2017 and 2019, a testament to the program’s sustained excellence over the better part of a decade . Their work in the heartland of college softball had not only been consistent but impressive in scale, setting new standards for what it means to lead a team to greatness.
The 2024 season was a true highlight. Under Gajewski’s guidance, the Cowgirls posted a dominant 49‑12 overall record, the most wins during his tenure to date and one of the top three single-season win totals in the program’s long and storied history . Their commanding 21‑6 record in Big 12 competition earned them a third-place finish in one of the nation’s most competitive conferences. That level of performance speaks volumes not only about the players on the field but also about the strategic and developmental vision the coaching staff implemented throughout the year.
More than regular-season wins, the Cowgirls held their ground in postseason play with a perfect 5‑0 run through the NCAA Regional and Super Regional rounds. They dominated opponents by a combined score of 34‑7 and maintained an incredible home postseason record of 20‑1 since 2019 . It is no small feat to maintain that kind of pressure-free precision during the most pivotal moments of the season. It speaks to the preparation and adaptability instilled by Gajewski and his staff, qualities that elevate good teams into championship contenders.
Part of what makes Oklahoma State’s staff standout in 2024 were the individual successes within the team. Gajewski and his assistants guided pitcher Lexi Kilfoyl to All‑America honors and helped Caroline Wang shine behind the plate. Eight Cowgirls earned NFCA Midwest All‑Region recognition, and five were named to All‑Big 12 teams . The impact of such honors resonates beyond individual achievement—each one propels the program’s broader reputation as a place where talent is honed and success is cultivated.
A major contributor to the explosive offensive production in 2024 was the offseason hire of Vanessa Shippy‑Fletcher as the hitting coach in December. Her influence was immediate and historic. The Cowgirls finished in the top five across an astounding ten offensive single‑season categories, including second‑highest totals in program history for home runs (92) and runs scored (363). Their slugging percentage of .554, RBI count of 338, and total bases of 858 were all ranked second‑best ever for the school . A hitting revolution like that requires more than raw numbers—it demands a shift in mindset, technique, and consistent accountability, all of which Shippy‑Fletcher delivered with precision.
Complementing the offensive resurgence was the addition of first‑year pitching coach Carrie Eberle. A stellar four‑time All‑America pitcher with an innate grasp for the mound’s demands, Eberle took the reins of an already capable staff and elevated them even further. OSU finished the season ranked 14th in the nation in ERA (2.07) and 10th in shutouts (15) . Her legacies included coaching Lexi Kilfoyl to Big 12 Pitcher of the Year and guiding Ivy Rosenberry to a career season . Crafting a staff that balances elite offensive pressure with stifling defense requires meticulous planning—a balance the 2024 squad achieved with ease.
Coach Gajewski’s credentials run deep. In his eight full seasons (plus the pandemic‑shortened year in 2020), he has led the Cowgirls to every NCAA Tournament and propelled them to five consecutive Women’s College World Series appearances from 2021 through 2024 . The cumulative record from 2021 to 2024 reads like a narrative of dominance: 192 wins, fourth‑best nationally behind powerhouses such as Oklahoma, Florida State, and UCLA . Notably, the team sported a 20‑1 combined postseason record during those years, cementing their status as a program built for big moments .
Gajewski’s influence reaches beyond just coaching strategy; it extends to player well‑being, team chemistry, and forging a culture of resilience. One of the cornerstone traditions he initiated was the offseason retreat at Broken Bow, Oklahoma. Originally an August event to build bonds, it evolved into a postseason reset. Immediately after the Big 12 Tournament and before heading into NCAA play, the team would retreat to Broken Bow for a mental and physical breather. That ritual has returned tangible results: since implementing it, the Cowgirls have maintained an outstanding 20‑1 record in postseason appearances . Simple acts of care like this reveal the depth of Gajewski’s holistic approach to leadership.
An emerging hallmark of the program under Gajewski has been the ability to attract and develop high-caliber transfers who become standouts at OSU. Transfers such as Lexi Kilfoyl (Alabama), Caroline Wang (Liberty), Samantha Show (Texas A&M), Carrie Eberle (Virginia Tech), Alysen Febrey (Georgia), Hayley Busby (Virginia), Miranda Elish (Texas), and Rachel Becker (Purdue) have flourished under the system. Several of them earned their first All‑America honors after making the move to Stillwater . The magnetism of a program that blends opportunity, care, and growth has turned OSU into a focal point for players seeking a better path forward.
It’s noteworthy that Gajewski – a native of Los Alamitos, California, and former assistant under Tim Walton at Florida – brings an outsider’s edge to building a nationally respected program at Oklahoma State. His resume includes contributing to back‑to‑back national championships at Florida, with notable team metrics ranking among the NCAA’s best in ERA, scoring, and fielding percentage . That experience became the blueprint for success in Stillwater once he arrived in 2016.
Before Gajewski’s arrival, the Cowgirls were reeling: a 3‑13 conference record in 2015 was a clear call for change . But under his watch, OSU shot up from 6‑11 in 2016 to consistent top‑three finishes in the Big 12 by 2017, culminating in their first-ever Big 12 Tournament title in 2022 via a win over No. 1 Oklahoma . Year by year, the record shifted upward: 38‑25 in 2017, 39‑22 in 2018, 45‑17 in 2019, 48‑12 in 2021, 48‑14 in 2022, 47‑16 in 2023, and 49‑12 in 2024 . Each season built on the last, weaving an upward narrative that continues to gain momentum.
Under Gajewski’s guidance, Oklahoma State has enjoyed more than just athletic success; they’ve also excelled academically. His student-athletes have earned 21 All‑America honors, 44 All‑Region selections, 46 All‑Big 12 honors, along with an impressive 14 Academic All‑America honors, 17 Academic All‑District honors, and 100 Academic All‑Big 12 honors . One striking highlight: three Cowgirls—Jules Callaham, Katie Lott, and Morgyn Wynne—won the Elite 90 award at the Women’s College World Series, denoting the highest GPA at the championship site . That balance between the field and the classroom showcases the dual mission of Gajewski’s program.
With postseason success, conference championships, and academic distinction firmly established, 2024 stood as a summit year. The perfection of a midwestern postseason sweep, the unlocking of offensive potential, and the refinement of elite pitching all coalesced into a season memorable in its execution. No surprise then that the Midwest region’s peers—the coaches and administrators who understand the grind and glory of softball—voted them ATEC/NFCA Region Staff of the Year . The team stood not just as a collection of requirements met, but as an orchestrated campaign that aligned strategy, heart, and culture.
As Gajewski enters his tenth season, his legacy continues to grow. His Cowgirls are fourth nationally in win percentage among active Big 12 coaches, trailing only the likes of Texas Tech’s Gerry Glasco, and OSU boasts an exceptional home record of 120‑16 since 2019 (.882 win percentage) . Their impressive 23 wins over top‑ten teams, including multiple victories over the nation’s top‑ranked opponent, reflect a program that doesn’t just schedule tough; it wins tough .
The 2024 ATEC/NFCA Midwest Region Coaching Staff of the Year honor is not an endpoint. It is both recognition and challenge—a validation of the path built through thoughtful coaching hires, cultural groundwork, and steadfast leadership. Gajewski and his assistants have partnered to engineer seasons of distance and depth, forging a standard that spans skill development, emotional resilience, academic rigor, and postseason poise. They have redefined what it means to be a cowgirl—on the field and beyond.
As the Cowgirl community looks forward to 2025 and beyond, this award underscores a truth: Oklahoma State’s softball program is not just in the mix—it is leading the mix. With a recipe of relentless improvement, methodical offseason retreats, astute transfer recruitment, and all-around player development, their model has become a national blueprint. Beyond the numbers, beyond the trophies, there is a living example: coaching as a catalyst, leadership as a journey, and a staff united in purpose, pride, and enduring impact.
