NORMAN – Oklahoma softball head coach Patty Gasso anticipates a more challenging competition in the new conference.
“I started in the Big Eight,” Gasso said toc during OU’s introduction to the Southeastern Conference on the SEC Network. “Not many people remember the Big Eight. From the Big Eight to the Big 12. Joining the SEC is a whole new level.”
Finebaum, a prominent voice for the SEC and a national radio personality, admitted on Monday’s show that he had predicted Texas to win the Women’s College World Series National Championship, believing Oklahoma was having a down year. Instead, the Sooners swept Texas, becoming the first college softball team to win four consecutive National Championships.
For the past decade, Oklahoma softball has thrived against tough competition. Texas, the top seed, had previously won the three-game series during the year and boasted the Big 12 Player and Freshman of the Year. Despite this, the Sooners triumphed. Gasso believes they’ll continue to excel in the SEC next season, despite it being a tougher conference.
“I’m really excited,” Gasso said. “Everyone at Oklahoma is very excited. We love competition. We face it head-on. That’s why our team has been so successful — and many teams here on campus as well. We’re looking forward to it. It will make us better and help the university flourish even more.”
On June 6, 2024, in Oklahoma City, OK, USA, Oklahoma Sooners head coach Patty Gasso observed the game against the Texas Longhorns during the Women’s College World Series softball championship finals at Devon Park. (Photo: BRETT ROJO, USA TODAY Sports)
The Sooners have won all eight of their National Championships as members of the Big 12 Conference, along with numerous conference titles, including the first and last championships as Big 12 members. Remarkably, the Oklahoma softball team didn’t lose a three-game conference series in the Big 12 until this past season. Now, Gasso is eager to embrace the new challenge, even if it’s tougher.
“I think this will be a challenge day in and day out,” Gasso said. “The SEC is another level, and softball is the No. 1 conference in the country. Being part of that is an honor, but it’s also an extreme challenge. I don’t think anyone can go through the conference undefeated, but you have to win at least two out of three every weekend. It’s definitely a different level of challenge.”
The Sooners secured all eight of their National Championships while part of the Big 12 Conference. In addition to numerous conference titles, they claimed the first and last championships as Big 12 members. Remarkably, the Oklahoma softball team didn’t lose a three-game conference series in the Big 12 until this past season. Now, Gasso looks forward to the new, albeit tougher, challenge.
“I think this will be a daily challenge,” Gasso said. “The SEC is on another level, and it’s the top softball conference in the country. Being part of it is an honor, but it’s also an extreme challenge. I don’t think anyone can go through the conference undefeated, but you’ll need to win at least two out of three games each weekend. It’s definitely going to be a different level of competition.”
