The crowd at Friday night’s OU Hockey game had a bit more star power than usual. Oklahoma Softball was in the building for the Sooners’ tilt against the Missouri State Ice Bears.
The back-to-back defending champions were invited onto the ice for the pregame ceremonial puck drop. Head coach Patty Gasso did the honors.
𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐜𝐞 🏒
Thanks for having us out, @OUHockey! pic.twitter.com/aPOJxgYh3p
— Oklahoma Softball (@OU_Softball) February 4, 2023
After the first period, Gasso gave an interview with the OU Hockey broadcast. She was candid when asked how her squad ended up at a hockey game that night.
“We need to get off the softball field and see what other athletes look like in action,” said Gasso. “I enjoy and (the players) enjoy seeing other athletic events and seeing athletes go through the same kind of intensity, pressure and push.”
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After winning back-to-back national championships, the Sooners are looking just as potent and dangerous as ever, but Gasso still has her sights set on the upcoming season.
“We focus on the process,” Gasso said. “We focus on the journey. We don’t talk about the word ‘three-peat.’ It’s just staying day to day and focusing on the moment… It’s a really good group that understands that, but they also want to make history.”
Superstar Jocelyn Alo has moved on from the Sooners, yet Oklahoma is looking as potent and dangerous as ever. While Alo will be missed, Gasso feels confident in the players she brought in during the offseason.
“There’s no one on earth that can swing it like Jocelyn Alo,” Gasso continued. “So, what we did instead was get three or four to replace Jocelyn Alo. You look at our lineup and there’s really no offensive weakness. One through nine can hit it out of the park and change the game at any time. It’s a very good team with very good pitching and very good defense.”
OU Softball will be moving into what will be known as Love’s Field for the 2024 season. The new ballpark’s construction is something of a crowning achievment for Gasso’s career.
“I think it (a new ballpark) has been the missing piece to this phenomenal puzzle for a long time… (The ballpark) is going to be absolutely beautiful and well-deserved for this team,” Gasso shared.
While Gasso has accomplished so much in her career, she considers this new ballpark the “icing on the cake” of her career.
“I’ve got nothing else to win or prove,” she continued. “I want to help some of these players reach their goals and dreams. It’s my passion and I love it.”
OU Softball will open their season at the Mark Campbell Invitational against No. 16 Duke on Thursday, Feb. 9.
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