Oklahoma isn’t apologizing for celebrating as Sooners eye softball three-peat

The University of Oklahoma women’s softball team has a lot to celebrate, and they’re not sorry for it. 

Sooners coach Patty Gasso said she encourages her group to be “unapologetic” in its approach as it looks to extend its NCAA-record 51-game winning streak in pursuit of a championship three-peat.

Oklahoma players don’t shy away from expressing their emotions on the field with cheers, chants and dances throughout the game — even if it draws negative feedback on social media.

“Because women have worked so hard to get here yet still get judged for those things,” Gasso said, according to ESPN. “That’s the way we play, and that’s what people enjoy. Or you don’t. You either like it or you don’t, but we’re not going to apologize for these players knowing the game and celebrating the right way.”

The Sooners topped Stanford 4-2 on Monday, advancing to the best-of-three championship series that begins Wednesday against Florida State.

There’s plenty to celebrate for Oklahoma as it rides it win streak, having outscored opponents 420-49, though it may not be winning them any friends or fans.

“Alyssa Brito may be the most annoying player I’ve ever seen on tv in any sport tbh,” one Twitter user wrote this week.

“So tired of the #Oklahoma softball team,” read another tweet. “So cocky and screaming and carrying on over everything. Slamming bat to ground from an intentional walk? Always trying to rub it in it seems.” 

Sooners players are not apologizing for the hard work or the celebrations that come with it.

“What we do is to bring passion to our own circle, and it’s never against anyone else,” shortstop Grace Lyons told ESPN. “So, I just want to say that that’s not how we play. People may take it that way, but it’s all for our own joy and passion, never to tear down.”

While they maintain they’re cheering and not jeering, Oklahoma players have heard plenty of criticism directed at them — something they maintain is a “double-standard” when compared with men’s sports, according to outfielder Jayda Coleman.

“I’ve seen it with my own eyes, and I feel like it’s just very disappointing to just see people just trying to tear us down in that type of way,” Coleman said. “Maybe not tearing us down, but just kind of making it into a negative light when you’re seeing the MLB players do the exact same thing or the NBA or NFL, throwing their helmets and having emotion. Like, why can’t we have emotion? We are in the same stakes as them.”

The stakes raise considerably on Wednesday night, with the Sooners aiming to becoming the first team since UCLA (1988-90) to secure a three-peat.

Now that’s something to cheer about.