Oklahoma softball dropped one spot to No. 6 in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll after losing their fourth game of the year over the weekend.
The Sooners won the Courtyard Marriott Tournament over the weekend, finishing 4-1 with wins over Northwestern, Abilene Christian and North Texas.
Oklahoma (15-4) is continuing to persevere through youth and injury, but lost Saturday’s early matchup against North Texas 4-3. The loss allowed Arizona (17-3) , who was previously No. 7, to vault over the Sooners to No. 4. Fifth-ranked LSU dropped one spot. Defending champions UCLA hold the top spot, followed by Washington, who beat Oklahoma 12-2 in late February.
Head coach Patty Gasso will be the first to tell you the Sooners aren’t playing their best ball, but there are positives, starting with the fact Oklahoma has already bested the team that jumped them: Arizona.
When asked when her team should be hitting their stride, Patty Gasso said it would take some time. “I think normally by the time we start Big 12 play.. Sometimes we’re not even ready by then. But as long we get there I’m okay.” she said.
In mid-February, Oklahoma sealed a 6-4 come-from-behind win over the Wildcats by scoring two runs in the top of the 10th inning. The Sooners’ rotation of Macy McAdoo, Olivia Rains and Shannon Saile combined for only three strikeouts.
Oklahoma isn’t where they want to be, but there’s plenty of room for improvement.
The Sooners’ next matchup is Wednesday, March 4 against Wichita State at 6 p.m. in Norman.
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