Tag: Oklahoma softball

‘College GameDay’ team takes batting practice with Oklahoma Softball

Oklahoma Softball welcomed “College GameDay” to Loves’ Field before Saturday morning’s show.

The Oklahoma Sooners will host the Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday night in Norman. OU’s first conference game as a member of the [autotag]SEC[/autotag] is one of the biggest games of the 2024 college football season.

It’s such a big game that ESPN’s “College GameDay” will be doing their live show on campus in Norman on Saturday morning before that night’s primetime affair between the Sooners and Volunteers.

A few members of the “GameDay” team took a visit to Oklahoma’s softball team on Friday before the big day on Saturday. The Sooners are coming off of a four-peat of national championships, and are one of the best softball programs ever, led by head coach [autotag]Patty Gasso[/autotag].

Gasso and the team welcomed the ESPN personalities to Loves’ Field to take some practice swings. “College GameDay” took to social media to post video of the results.

https://twitter.com/collegegameday/status/1837265501988208811?s=46&t=c0IUXD99Gev3mDup6hgrLA

Of course, Pat McAfee, a former NFL punter, gets the recognition with a big-time hit over the wall. But the best part of this video, in my opinion, is the smooth swing by former Alabama head coach Nick Saban.

Saturday will mark the first time “GameDay” has been in Norman since 2020 when the Sooners hosted Oklahoma State. Since that game occurred during the COVID-19 season, this week will be the first appearance with fans in attendance since 2012, when Oklahoma hosted Notre Dame.

McAfee interviewed Patty Gasso during his show Friday live from Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium and they plan to feature OU Softball during the three hour pregame show Saturday morning.

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Oklahoma Sooners unveil Patty Gasso statue at Love’s Field

The Oklahoma Sooners enshrined a living legend at Love’s Field on Friday, unveiling the statue of head coach Patty Gasso.

A living legend was enshrined at [autotag]Love’s Field[/autotag] today when the University of Oklahoma unveiled a statue honoring softball coach [autotag]Patty Gasso[/autotag].

The statue evokes the image of Gasso giving a player a high five as they round third base after hitting a home run. Oklahoma has become synonymous with offense, and she’s handed out a lot of high-fives over the years.

Oklahoma head coach Patty Gasso take a picture with players and family during a statue dedication at Love’s Field in Norman, Okla,, Friday, Sept., 13, 2024. SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

Gasso is the winner of eight national titles, pushing Oklahoma into a tie for second place after the Sooners completed the only four-peat in college softball history. Seven of the eight national championships have come since 2013, and six since 2016.

Under her guidance, the Sooners won 15 Big 12 regular season titles and led her staff to earn seven NFCA coaching staff of the year awards.

Prior to the spectacular run to the 2024 national title, the Sooners were one of just two teams to accomplish a three-peat, joining the UCLA Bruins, who secured the feat in the sport’s infancy.

Gasso is the winningest active coach in college softball and ranks third all-time in career wins, leading Oklahoma to the pinnacle of the sport over her 30 years at the helm for the Sooners. The NFCA Hall of Fame member has not only been a part of the growth of the OU Softball program, but the sport itself.

University of Oklahoma President Joe Harroz spoke at the unveiling and highlighted Gasso’s remarkable impact on her players, the sport, and those who follow the team, saying, “true greatness is not measured by the number of wins you have. It’s measured by the number of lives you impact. Patty transcends softball. Patty transcends sports.”

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Oklahoma Board of Regents approves historic raise for Patty Gasso

University of Oklahoma Board of Regents voted to increase Patty Gasso and OU Softball assistant salaries for 2025.

Fresh off a fourth straight national title, the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents approved a significant raise for Head Coach Patty Gasso and her assistants Jennifer Rocha and J.T. Gasso.

According to Eric Bailey of the Tulsa World (subscription required), Gasso’s salary for 2024-2025 will be increased to $1.9 million, and next year will increase to $2 million in 2025-2026. According to Colton Sulley of The Oklahoman, the salary has an average annual value of $2 million per year and runs through 2028. Gasso’s last raise came in 2022, a salary bump that paid her $1.775 million a year.

Rocha and J.T. Gasso will see their salaries increase to $300,000 a year per Bailey.

The Sooners keep their corps coaching staff intact as they look to build off of their historic run over the last four years.

https://twitter.com/EricBaileyTW/status/1834666114300911795

Oklahoma underwent its biggest turnover over the last five years, losing a number of stars to eligibility. But they’ve got a good young corps of players to build around as the Sooners enter the SEC.

OU’s SEC schedule was released for next spring. They’ll take on softball powerhouses Texas, Alabama, Tennessee, and Florida next spring to extend their record national championship streak.

https://twitter.com/OU_Softball/status/1833944835801448849

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.

How to watch Oregon Ducks softball face No. 2 Oklahoma Sooners in Norman Regional

Here’s how to watch the Oregon Ducks softball team face the Oklahoma Sooners in the Norman Regional.

The Oregon Ducks softball team has been on a roll throughout the season, and it’s landed them in a prime spot in the postseason, making it to the Norman Regional.

Unfortunately, that means they will be going up against the No. 2 Oklahoma Sooners, winners of the last three World Series Championships, and six of the last 10 championships.

To say it will be a tough matchup is almost an understatement.

The Ducks advanced in the winners’ bracket with an 8-0 win over a Boston Terriers team that came into the NCAA Tournament No. 1 in the nation in earned run average (ERA).

After finishing third in the Pac-12 regular season, Oregon lost to Utah in the Pac-12 tournament last week. This will be a high-class game between the Ducks — ranked No. 32 in the D1 Softball Rankings — and Oklahoma, ranked No. 2.

How to Watch

  • When: May 18
  • What Time: 12:00 p.m. PT.
  • Where: Love’s Field, Norman, Oklahoma
  • Streaming: ESPN

The winner of the Norman regional will advance to the Super Regionals, where they have a chance to clinch a spot in the College Softball World Series at the end of the month.

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Oklahoma fights past Longhorns for Big 12 softball title

The Oklahoma Sooners softball team showed why they are the “gold standard” program in the nation Saturday.

The Oklahoma Sooners softball team showed why they are the “gold standard” program in the nation Saturday.

Oklahoma’s Kelly Maxwell (18-2) struck out seven Texas batters as the Sooners defeated the Longhorns 5-1 in the Big 12 Championship Saturday in Oklahoma City.

The Sooners got off to a quick start as Tiare Jennings’ RBI double in the first gave Oklahoma the quick lead. Kinzie Hansen added an RBI fielder’s choice as the Sooners led wire-to-wire. Hansen led OU with two RBI.

Texas freshman Kayden Henry hit an RBI triple in the bottom of the second for the Longhorns’ only run. The Longhorns recorded only two hits in the game.

The Sooners added two runs in the third to create separation.

Texas’ Citaly Gutierrez (10-1) took her first loss of the season despite striking out 10 Sooner batters. She gave up five runs (three earned) on seven hits.

Despite the loss, Texas is projected to host NCAA Tournament regional action this week after learning its exact seed Sunday. The selection show is set to be broadcast at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN2.

Could Texas Longhorns softball catch Oklahoma for Big 12 regular season title?

Currently on a 9-game winning streak, the Texas Longhorns softball team sits a game back of rival Oklahoma in the Big 12 softball standings.

After winning two of three contests against the former No. 1-ranked Oklahoma Sooners, who had a 40-game Big 12 Conference winning streak before that, the now No. 1 Texas Longhorns have buoyed those two wins into a current 9-game winning streak. Continue reading “Could Texas Longhorns softball catch Oklahoma for Big 12 regular season title?”

Texas softball wins series over No. 1 Oklahoma

After Oklahoma won the first of a three-game series 5-2 on Friday, the Longhorns registered consecutive 2-1 victories.

The No. 1-ranked Oklahoma Sooners have been the gold standard of college softball in recent seasons. At least for a weekend, the No. 5 Texas Longhorns had something to say about that.

After Oklahoma won the first of a three-game series 5-2 on Friday, the Longhorns registered consecutive 2-1 victories on Saturday and Sunday in Austin.

The Longhorns improved to 31-6 (11-4 Big 12), while the Sooners dropped to 35-3 (13-2 Big 12). Saturday’s win for Texas saw an end to Oklahoma’s 40-game Big 12 Conference winning streak.

“We probably did what most people thought was impossible and that’s to beat Oklahoma two days in a row,” said Longhorns head coach Mike White.

White pointed to the team’s pitching and defense as reasons for the victory.

In the circle, Texas’ Citlaly Gutierrez pitched an efficient game Saturday, giving up one run on six hits while striking out two batters, throwing 94 pitches. Texas got a combined effort from Teagan Kavan and Estelle Czech on Sunday as Katie Stewart’s 2-run home run proved to be the difference in Texas getting the series victory.

Longhorns, Sooners set for top-five showdown in softball

The No. 5-ranked Longhorns are getting national TV exposure for weekend series against the No. 1 Sooners.

The No. 5-ranked Texas Longhorns softball team is getting national TV exposure for weekend series against the No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners starting Friday on the networks of ESPN.

First pitch of Friday’s contest is set for 5:30 p.m. CT at Red & Charline McCombs Field, with ESPNU broadcasting the game. Saturday’s contest is set for 7 p.m. with ESPN broadcasting the game.

Sunday’s rubber match is set for 1 p.m. with Longhorn Network broadcasting the game.

It will be an opportunity for the program, who has started 29-5 (9-3 Big 12), to show how it stacks up against the defending Women’s College World Series champion Sooners.

Infielder Joley Mitchell leads the Longhorns with a .450 average. Catcher Reese Atwood leads Texas with 52 RBI and 12 home runs, batting .400. Outfielder Ashton Maloney boasts a .424 average while outfielder Kayden Henry’s average sits at .404.

In the circle, Teagan Kavan leads the Longhorns with an 11-2 record, starting 13 games. She has a 1.84 ERA. Citlaly Gutierrez leads Texas with a 1.17 ERA. She is 6-0 in 11 appearances with nine starts. Mac Morgan is 8-0 with a 1.26 ERA.

A closer look at Jordy Bahl’s softball career after season-ending injury

A Nebraska softball star will miss the entire 2024 season after suffering a season-ending injury.

A Nebraska softball star will miss the 2024 season after suffering a season-ending injury. Pitcher Jordy Bahl suffered an ACL injury in the Cornhusker’s season opener against the Washington Huskies in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, on Feb. 8.

The former Oklahoma Sooner announced the season-ending injury and her intention to redshirt on social media.

“With a heart thankful for God’s plan and timing, I will be redshirting this year, and looking forward to a season of growth and learning from a different point of view. I’m thankful for the support of my family, friends, coaches, and staff. I’m truly blessed to have so many wonderful and loving people in my life. I’m not going anywhere. See you in 2025.”

In her two seasons at Oklahoma, Bahl went 44-2 with a 1.00 ERA with 15 shutouts and five saves. In her two seasons in Norman, she was a 2x Women’s College World Series Champion, Women’s College World Series Most Outstanding Player, a 2x All-American, and 2x Big 12 Pitcher of the Year.

She transferred to Nebraska for the 2024 season. Bahl attended Papillion-La Vista Senior High School. During her career, she had a 95-3 record with a 0.63 ERA and 978 strikeouts en route to winning three state championships.

Find a photo gallery of Jordy Bahl’s college career below.