Oklahoma begins its quest for an unprecedented fourth consecutive national softball title on Friday.
Coach Patty Gasso’s Sooners appear to have a shot. They have claimed the No. 2 overall seed and beat No. 1 seed Texas for the Big 12 Tournament title. The Sooners (49-6) open regional play Friday night against Cleveland State at Love’s Field in Norman, Oklahoma. All regionals are double elimination.
Last season, the Sooners became the first team since UCLA from 1988 to 1990 to win three straight national championships. Shortly after winning their most recent championship, ace pitcher Jordy Bahl transferred back home to Nebraska. Bahl was Most Outstanding Player of last year’s World Series after not allowing a run.
Oklahoma picked up Oklahoma State’s Kelly Maxwell, and she has come through. The All-Big 12 selection has an 18-2 record with a 1.96 earned run average.