Third-ranked Oklahoma is off to an 8-1 start and is looking to be in prime position to make another Women’s College World Series run. After suffering their first loss of the season on Saturday, the Sooners bounced-back later that night to earn a signature, extra-inning win over No. 4 Arizona. After practice on Tuesday, the team had plenty to say about what made this Sooners team special.
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
Despite another great start to the season, head coach Patty Gasso said at Tuesday’s practice the Sooners are nowhere near their maximum potential.
“I kinda told the team, ‘it’s like when your parents tell you to make your bed and you just throw the covers up and make it looks like it’s right, versus really pulling the sheets right and tucking them in strong and putting everything where it needs to be. That’s sort’ve how we’ve been playing.”
Gasso said the team wasn’t playing their best this past weekend but should be full-speed ahead by the time Big 12 play begins.
STAR POWER
Oklahoma has had its fair share of softball superstars and looks to have another in freshman Kinzie Hansen
Through nine games, she leads the team with 13 hits and 14 RBI’s. For coach Gasso, her play is something reminiscent of her past players.
“It reminds me a lot of those players like the Lauren Chamberlains and even the Syd Romero’s and Shay Knightens. She’s coming in pretty fearless.”
FRESHMAN FEVER
Oklahoma has been heavily reliant on its core of freshman up to this point, using Olivia Rains and Macy McAdoo in the pitching rotation, and relying on Hansen and Rylie Boone offensively.
McAdoo picked up the first ranked win of her collegiate career against No. 5 Arizona on Saturday. “I would say that I was ready for it, mentally and physically,” she said.
Oklahoma is back in action Friday against Nebraska at 12:30 p.m. at the Mary Nutter Classic in Cathedral City, California.
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