HomeNCAA FootballOklahoma State Softball Lands Baylor Transfer RyLee Crandall

Oklahoma State Softball Lands Baylor Transfer RyLee Crandall


The Baylor Bears were just one win away from making an appearance at the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City but ultimately fell short in the Gainesville Super Regional after Florida won a decisive Game 3.

One of the main reasons Baylor was able to get that far into the postseason was their play in the circle, with Aliyah Binford and RyLee Crandall playing their best ball of the season when it mattered most.

After the season ended, Crandall opted to enter the transfer portal and see what other options might be available. On Friday, she announced that she’d found a new home.

 

Unfortunately for Baylor fans, her new landing spot likely means the Bears will face her at least a few times in the next two seasons.

After spending her first two seasons in Waco (TX), Crandall is headed north to Stillwater (OK), where she will join Kenny Gajewski and the Oklahoma State Cowgirls.

In two seasons with Baylor, Crandall threw a total of 286.0 innings and maintained an ERA of 3.13 with 197 strikeouts, 122 BB, 128 ER, and an opponent batting average of .250.

In the Bears’ biggest win of the season, a 5-2 victory over No. 4 Florida to face an if-necessary Game 3, it was Crandall who drew the start in the circle. She pitched a complete 7.0 innings with six strikeouts and held a potent UF offense to just two runs on the day. She was also named to the 2023 All-Big 12 Freshman team a year ago.

Crandall is the second big name that Oklahoma State softball has landed since the end of the 2024 season, with Washington pitcher Ruby Meylan also announcing her commitment to the Pokes on June 6.

Replacing a player like Lexi Kilfoyl isn’t easy, and it’s not likely that a player of her caliber is going to be able to come right in and replace her output 1-for-1. However, Gajewski’s staff has now brought in two big names who can step in and help right away, and that is a great start for a team that still has national championship aspirations after five straight trips to Oklahoma City.