'It's our journey:' Kenny Gajewski and Cowgirls head to Fayetteville NCAA Tournament

Oklahoma State Softball is headed to its ninth consecutive NCAA Tournament — and 26th overall — after being selected for the Fayetteville Regional during Sunday’s Selection Show.

The Cowgirls (33-18) open play Friday at 3 p.m. CT on ESPN2 against Indiana. Host and No. 4 national seed Arkansas faces Saint Louis at 5:30 p.m. on ESPN+. The regional winner advances to face the champion of the Tucson Regional, which features No. 13 Arizona, Ole Miss, Grand Canyon and Santa Clara.

OSU enters postseason play with wins in six of its last seven games.

Heading to Fayetteville:

Oklahoma State head coach Kenny Gajewski is fired up about his squad’s upcoming regional matchup — close to home, in a big-time ballpark, and against serious competition. “We’re super excited for the opportunity,” he said. “It’s close enough where a lot of our fans and families can make the trip.”

First Up: Indiana

OSU draws Indiana in the opener, a team Gajewski admits he doesn’t know much about yet. “They’re one of the top offensive teams in the country,” he said. “We’re one of the top pitching teams. So it’s a great matchup.”

Owning the Journey:

“This has been a crazy journey,” Gajewski told his team. “But it’s our journey, and we’re going to own it.”

No Silver Linings — Just Fresh Starts:

When asked about the early Big 12 Tournament exit offering extra rest, Gajewski didn’t sugarcoat it: “I don’t like silver linings. I’d rather have been in the final.” Still, he added, “Everyone’s tired this time of year. We get a fresh start. And when we’re at our best, we’re pretty damn good.”

Retreat Reset:

This year’s postseason retreat took a new turn, from Broken Bow to Carlton Landing at Lake Eufaula. The goal? A mental and physical recharge. “We’re here to extend our seniors’ seasons,” he said. “This break is good. These players give us everything they’ve got.”

Nothing to Lose:

Heading into a hostile SEC environment, Gajewski is embracing the underdog mentality. “Arkansas has the pressure. Not us,” he said. “Let’s go take it. We’ve got nothing to lose.”

Veteran Mentality:

The players echoed their coach’s tone, confident but grounded. “It doesn’t matter where we play,” one player said. “We’ve been on the road most of the season.” Another added, “We’re a lot closer than people think. We just need to be who we are.”

Fayetteville Regional Schedule (CT):

Friday, May 16

1. Game 1: OSU vs. Indiana – 3 p.m. (ESPN2)
2. Game 2: Arkansas vs. Saint Louis – 5:30 p.m. (ESPN+)

Saturday, May 17

1. Game 3: Winners of Games 1 & 2 – Noon
2. Game 4: Losers of Games 1 & 2 – 2:30 p.m.
3. Game 5: Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 winner – 5 p.m.

Sunday, May 18

1. Game 6: Game 3 winner vs. Game 5 winner – 3 p.m.
2. Game 7 (if necessary): Rematch – 5:30 p.m.