College News: Two-Time All-American Miranda Elish Officially Signs with Oklahoma State

The following information is from Oklahoma State softball; on Saturday we first published the news that All-American Miranda Elish had finalized her transfer decision and chosen OSU…

One of college softball’s most decorated two-way athletes is coming to Oklahoma State.

Miranda Elish – a two-time NFCA All-American and the 2020 Softball America shortened Season National Player of the Year who ranks top-10 on Texas’ career strikeout, strikeout per innings and ERA lists – has joined head coach Kenny Gajewski and the Cowgirls for her final year of eligibility.

“I couldn’t be more blessed with the opportunity I have been given by Coach G and his staff to represent Oklahoma State Softball,” Elish said. “From the moment I spoke to Coach G, I knew he was who I wanted to finish my playing career for. The love he has for his program, his girls and this city is evident and contagious; I couldn’t help but fall in love the moment I arrived. I am humbled to be welcomed into the great family and culture that those on the team now and in years past have created.”

Elish opted out of the 2021 season because of concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2020, Elish was among the nation’s elite two-way threats. She posted an 11-3 record with a 1.25 ERA and 96 strikeouts in 84.0 innings pitched. As as hitter, she boasted a .370 average with 20 hits – including four homers – and 19 RBI in 54 plate appearances.

As a junior at Texas in 2019, she added a handful of notable accolades to her resume: NFCA third-team All-America honors, Softball America Honorable Mention All-America honors, NFCA first-team All-Central Region and All-Big 12 Conference first-team selections.

Her work from the circle during the 2019 season was highlighted by an 18-10 record with a 1.81 ERA in 37 appearances – including 29 starts, 20 complete games, 11 solo shutouts and 226 strikeouts over a team-high 185.1 innings pitched.

She batted .315 with 10 doubles, six home runs, 27 RBI and a .928 OPS, while managing 11 multi-hit and eight multi-RBI performances.

“Any time you can add a player of this caliber to a team and a program that’s moving forward with a lot of talented players already on the roster, it’s an exciting addition,” Gajewski said. “There’s a lot of work for everyone here to get done in order for her to have the success that she expects, on our end and on her end. That being said, we’re excited about this addition but know there’s a long road to go.”

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More on Miranda Elish:

Pitcher | 5-8 | Senior | Crown Point, Ind. | Crown Point HS | Oregon/Texas

Honors and Awards
2017 Pac-12 Conference All-Freshman
2017 NCAA Eugene Regional All-Tournament Team
2018 Top 50 Preseason Watch List for USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year
2018 First Team All-Pac-12 Conference
2018 NFCA Second Team All-American
2018 Top 25 Finalist for USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year
2019 Top 50 Preseason Watch List for USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year
2019 NFCA National Pitcher of the Week (March 26)
2019 Big 12 Conference Pitcher of the Week (March 26)
2019 Big 12 Conference Pitcher of the Week (April 9)
2019 First Team All-Big 12 Conference
2019 Softball America Honorable Mention All-American
2019 NFCA Third Team All-American
2020 Top 50 Preseason Watch List for USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year
2020 NFCA National Player of the Week (Feb. 11)
2020 Big 12 Conference Player of the Week (Feb. 11)
2020 Big 12 Conference Pitcher of the Week (Feb. 18)