Oklahoma State softball coach Kenny Gajewski criticizes the Big 12 for its handling of the Pitcher of the Year award, which was altered to name two co-winners instead of just Ruby Meylan. This change came after Meylan's impressive performance in the Big 12 tournament.
Key points
Kenny Gajewski criticizes Big 12 award handling
Ruby Meylan was initially named Pitcher of the Year
Big 12 later named co-winners for the award
Meylan's performance included a one-hit shutout
Gajewski expressed his concerns on social media
Mentioned in this story
Big 12 Conference
Oklahoma State CowgirlsRuby MeylanNiJaree CanadyBig 12 softball tournament
Oklahoma State softball coach Kenny Gajewski blasts Big 12 for handling of league award
Particularly, Gajewski was bothered by a change he said was made to the teamâs Pitcher of the Year award on the team the coaches vote for.
Gajewski said the league distributed an email earlier in the week listing the team honors with Meylan named Pitcher of the Year. But later that night, Gajewski was informed by the teamâs sports information director, Serg Thomas, that the conference had changed the list, instead naming Meylan and Texas Techâs NiJaree Canady as Co-Pitchers of the Year.
âCan we make the Coachesâ vote public?â Gajewski posted on his X account in response to the leagueâs announcement of the honors. âMay find out there is a different result!â
On Thursday, Gajewski went into greater detail, noting that his frustration was in the change that was made to the initial voting, not the fact that his pitcher ultimately had to share the award.
âI donât have any sour grapes about âco.â I have sour grapes that my kid was told that she was outright and then we changed that, for whatever reason,â Gajewski said during a 3-minute, 40-second response. âIf they had put out âcoâ from the start, wouldnât hear a word.
Q&A
What did Kenny Gajewski say about the Big 12's award handling?
Kenny Gajewski criticized the Big 12 for changing the Pitcher of the Year award to include co-winners, which he felt undermined Ruby Meylan's achievements.
Who were the co-winners of the Big 12 Pitcher of the Year award?
The co-winners of the Big 12 Pitcher of the Year award were Ruby Meylan from Oklahoma State and NiJaree Canady from Texas Tech.
What performance led to Ruby Meylan being recognized as Pitcher of the Year?
Ruby Meylan was recognized as Pitcher of the Year following her one-hit shutout performance in Oklahoma State's 7-0 victory over Utah in the Big 12 tournament.
How did the Big 12 communicate the changes to the award?
The Big 12 initially sent an email listing Ruby Meylan as Pitcher of the Year, but later informed the team that the award had been changed to include co-winners.
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âWhen I asked the question âwhy,â I got an answer âWe looked at it holistically.â Youâre gonna have to explain to everybody out there what that means. Itâs not right. âHolisticallyâ wasnât on my voting sheet. It asked who the best pitcher was. I voted for NiJa, because I canât vote for (Meylan).â
Gajewski opened his response by pointing out that his frustration was not directed at Texas Tech or Canady.
âI know NiJa very well,â he said. âI recruited her. It came down to Stanford and us in the very end, for people that donât know all that.
âThis is not a knock on her. We have a system in place in the Big 12 where the coaches vote. And whatever the coaches vote should be what it is, period.â
Oklahoma State starting pitcher Ruby Meylan (66) pitches during NCAA Big 12 softball tournament between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Utah Utes at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
during NCAA Big 12 softball tournament between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Utah Utes at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Utah outfielder Danika Wilson (10) makes contact with a pitch during NCAA Big 12 softball tournament between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Utah Utes at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Oklahoma State outfielder Jayelle Austin (34) catches a hit to the outfield during NCAA Big 12 softball tournament between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Utah Utes at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Oklahoma State outfielder Jayelle Austin (34) celebrates a catch in the outfield during NCAA Big 12 softball tournament between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Utah Utes at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Oklahoma State head coach Kenny Gajewski chews gum during NCAA Big 12 softball tournament between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Utah Utes at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Oklahoma State infielder Claire Timm (18) runs off base during NCAA Big 12 softball tournament between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Utah Utes at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Oklahoma State starting pitcher Ruby Meylan (66) pitches during NCAA Big 12 softball tournament between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Utah Utes at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Oklahoma State starting pitcher Ruby Meylan (66) pitches during NCAA Big 12 softball tournament between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Utah Utes at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Oklahoma State outfielder Jayelle Austin (34) catches a hit to the outfield during NCAA Big 12 softball tournament between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Utah Utes at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Utah starting pitcher Hailey Maestretti (30) pitches during NCAA Big 12 softball tournament between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Utah Utes at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Oklahoma State infielder Aubrey Jones (7) hits a single during NCAA Big 12 softball tournament between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Utah Utes at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Oklahoma State outfielder Jayelle Austin (34) celebrates on second base during NCAA Big 12 softball tournament between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Utah Utes at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Oklahoma State Cowgirls vs Utah Utes Big 12 Softball Tournament, see our top photos
Oklahoma State starting pitcher Ruby Meylan (66) pitches during NCAA Big 12 softball tournament between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Utah Utes at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Oklahoma State Cowgirls vs Utah Utes Big 12 Softball Tournament, see our top photos
Oklahoma State starting pitcher Ruby Meylan (66) pitches during NCAA Big 12 softball tournament between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Utah Utes at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Oklahoma State Cowgirls vs Utah Utes Big 12 Softball Tournament, see our top photos
during NCAA Big 12 softball tournament between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Utah Utes at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Oklahoma State Cowgirls vs Utah Utes Big 12 Softball Tournament, see our top photos
Utah outfielder Danika Wilson (10) makes contact with a pitch during NCAA Big 12 softball tournament between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Utah Utes at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
4 / 13
Oklahoma State Cowgirls vs Utah Utes Big 12 Softball Tournament, see our top photos
Oklahoma State outfielder Jayelle Austin (34) catches a hit to the outfield during NCAA Big 12 softball tournament between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Utah Utes at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
5 / 13
Oklahoma State Cowgirls vs Utah Utes Big 12 Softball Tournament, see our top photos
Oklahoma State outfielder Jayelle Austin (34) celebrates a catch in the outfield during NCAA Big 12 softball tournament between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Utah Utes at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
6 / 13
Oklahoma State Cowgirls vs Utah Utes Big 12 Softball Tournament, see our top photos
Oklahoma State head coach Kenny Gajewski chews gum during NCAA Big 12 softball tournament between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Utah Utes at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
7 / 13
Oklahoma State Cowgirls vs Utah Utes Big 12 Softball Tournament, see our top photos
Oklahoma State infielder Claire Timm (18) runs off base during NCAA Big 12 softball tournament between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Utah Utes at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
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Oklahoma State Cowgirls vs Utah Utes Big 12 Softball Tournament, see our top photos
Oklahoma State starting pitcher Ruby Meylan (66) pitches during NCAA Big 12 softball tournament between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Utah Utes at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
9 / 13
Oklahoma State Cowgirls vs Utah Utes Big 12 Softball Tournament, see our top photos
Oklahoma State starting pitcher Ruby Meylan (66) pitches during NCAA Big 12 softball tournament between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Utah Utes at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
10 / 13
Oklahoma State Cowgirls vs Utah Utes Big 12 Softball Tournament, see our top photos
Oklahoma State outfielder Jayelle Austin (34) catches a hit to the outfield during NCAA Big 12 softball tournament between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Utah Utes at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
11 / 13
Oklahoma State Cowgirls vs Utah Utes Big 12 Softball Tournament, see our top photos
Utah starting pitcher Hailey Maestretti (30) pitches during NCAA Big 12 softball tournament between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Utah Utes at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
12 / 13
Oklahoma State Cowgirls vs Utah Utes Big 12 Softball Tournament, see our top photos
Oklahoma State infielder Aubrey Jones (7) hits a single during NCAA Big 12 softball tournament between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Utah Utes at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
13 / 13
Oklahoma State Cowgirls vs Utah Utes Big 12 Softball Tournament, see our top photos
Oklahoma State outfielder Jayelle Austin (34) celebrates on second base during NCAA Big 12 softball tournament between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Utah Utes at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Here is the full text of Gajewskiâs response:
âI want to first make sure that what I said was not an attack on Texas Tech and NiJa. I know NiJa very well. I recruited her. It came down to Stanford and us in the very end, for people that donât know all that. So I donât want this to be â this is not a knock on her. We have a system in place in the Big 12 where the coaches vote. And whatever the coaches vote should be what it is, period. We received an email on Wednesday, or Tuesday I think it was. It listed all the winners. Ruby was the outright pitcher. Then I got an email from my SID, Serg, that thereâs now a co-pitcher. Thatâs not right. I donât appreciate it. Itâs not the way we should be doing our business here. When I asked the question why, I got an answer âWe looked at it holistically.â Youâre gonna have to explain to everybody out there what that means. Itâs not right. âHolisticallyâ wasnât on my voting sheet. It asked who the best pitcher was. I voted for NiJa, because I canât vote for her. And thatâs why I said âMake this public.â I have a lot of coaches in this league. I didnât have to call them. They called me. Theyâre not happy. Iâm not happy. Itâs not right, and itâs nothing against NiJa or Texas Tech. Itâs what the coaches voted for. So make them public. I think weâre probably not wanting to do that, to be very honest. Iâm not â I donât have any sour grapes about âco.â I have sour grapes that my kid was told that she was outright and then we changed that, for whatever reason. You guys can write about that. But itâs not right. Itâs not fair to her. It wouldnât be fair if it was NiJa and then they changed that. A vote is a vote. Why did my staff spend an hour-and-a-half voting if our vote doesnât matter? And thatâs what Iâm being told. Your vote doesnât matter. If they had put out âcoâ from the start, wouldnât hear a word. I didnât complain to anybody in the league that Claire Timm, Amanda Hasler, Tia Warsop â I didnât complain to any of them, I didnât call anyone to tell them they shouldâve been on one of these teams. Itâs how the coaches voted. So until we get this right, severely disappointed in that whole situation and whoeverâs in charge of doing that. Itâs not right, and Iâm not sure where this lands me, but Iâm here for these kids. I would have the same backing for somebody else if it happened to their kids. Thatâs where itâs at. I appreciate you asking, and Iâm not gonna comment any more.â
