If the objective was to win in a close game to get your players battle-tested for a top-ten matchup against No. 7 Oklahoma State, then the No. 4 Washington softball program did a great job in a 2-1 victory against Stetson.

The pitching carried the Huskies (8-1) to victory on Wednesday, as sophomore Ruby Meylan and fifth-year Brooke Nelson combined only to give up three combined hits and an unearned run. In three innings pitched, Meylan allowed two hits and an unearned run, while Nelson (1-0) gave up one hit and a walk closing out the game in the last four innings.

The scoring took place within the first three innings, with sophomore Alana Johnson hitting her second home run of the season in the second inning before Stetson tied the game on an RBI single. With no outs and runners on first and third, the defense tagged a runner out at the plate on a bunt, before Meylan struck out the following batters to end the inning.

The final run came in the third inning, where sophomore Brooklyn Carter used her game-changing speed to take the lead. After a two-out single, Carter stole second base before senior Jillian Celis singled up the middle to score Carter from second. The Huskies’ ability to advance into scoring position on the basepaths has been a crucial element of their 8-1 record to start the season.

Nelson closed out the game in the final four innings to deliver a 2-1 win for Washington and improve its record to 8-1 ahead of Thursday’s matchup against Oklahoma State.

The Cowgirls (8-2) have two ranked losses against Georgia and LSU but have outscored opponents 72-30 in their ten games. It will be a major test for the Huskies’ pitching staff to keep the Cowgirls’ offense in check while relying on the offense to regain their efficiency from the past couple of weekends.

With four batters hitting over .400 for the Cowgirls, the key will be to prevent hits with runners in scoring position. Tallen Edwards has been deadly for them this season, batting .483 with three home runs, 12 runs, 10 RBIs, and a team-high eight walks. Keep an eye out for #44 to be Oklahoma State’s impact player.

The baserunning will again be key for the Huskies to come out on top with a victory. The Cowgirls have given up three steals in six attempts this season, a total that the Huskies must improve on to put themselves in position to score runs. Facing a pitching staff with a combined 2.70 ERA and 1.20 WHIP, every baserunner matters for the Huskies.

With Meylan expected to play, Ruby must have her best outing of the season against an effective offense with a combined .354 batting average. Preventing extra-base hits and allowing the defense to make plays can put Washington in a position to win.

Following its matchup against Oklahoma State on Thursday at 10:30 am, Washington will face South Florida in the second game of its doubleheader at 1 pm.