Oklahoma Softball: OU’s Title Experience Could be X-Factor in National Championship

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Sooners have returned to a well-recognized stage.

Patty Gasso’s top-seeded Oklahoma squad staved off elimination towards UCLA on Monday to punch its ticket again to the WCWS championship sequence.

The Sooners have emerged as school softball’s trendy dynasty, as 2022 marks the third yr in a row Oklahoma (57-3) has made it to the championship sequence, and OU has performed for the Nationwide Championship in seven of the final 10 years.

In distinction, the Texas Longhorns (47-20-1) are right here for the primary time.

The best way to Watch:

WCWS CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Oklahoma vs. Texas

• Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., ESPN
• Thursday, 6:30 p.m., ESPN2
• Friday, 7:30 p.m., ESPN (if essential)

Mike White’s ‘Horns are 6-0 in elimination video games all through this NCAA Event, leading to Texas changing into the primary unseeded staff to advance to the best-of-three title sequence for the reason that WCWS moved to the championship sequence format.

Texas has the texture of enjoying with home cash, and Gasso expects there will likely be an emphasis on a quick begin to Wednesday’s Recreation 1.

“I feel each groups are working to sort of get on the board shortly, set the tone shortly,” Gasso stated on Tuesday. “However I like the concept we’ve this expertise and we have been right here and finished that earlier than.”

Oklahoma has handled exterior stress all yr lengthy.

The defending champs have thrived because the wire-to-wire No. 1-ranked staff this yr.

Learn Extra WCWS Championship Sequence Protection:

Regardless of bringing again a lot of the core that beat Florida State for the Nationwide Championship final yr, Gasso had the staff concentrate on wiping that have to embark on a brand new journey this yr. And that mentality has allowed the 2022 Sooners to play free within the face of the huge expectations.

“We knew it is a new journey, a brand new street that we’ll need to preserve grinding and trusting in our preparation to get right here,” OU sophomore second baseman Tiare Jennings stated on Tuesday. “We’re enjoying for our seniors, you are enjoying to have their again, and to seek out the final word purpose.

“That is just about what our purpose was this season was simply stick collectively, discover our why, and simply stick collectively and going on the market and competing.”

Tremendous seniors Jocelyn Alo, Lynnsie Elam, Taylon Snow and Jana Johns have all been across the block with the Sooners. Alo and Elam have been at Oklahoma for the reason that starting, experiencing all of the highs and lows of their 4 postseason runs at OU.

Snow and Johns each transferred into Norman, however performed a serious position in final yr’s championship sequence.

The expertise from all 4 of these veteran leaders will likely be important to the brand new items on Gasso’s roster.

OU’s fifth tremendous senior, pitcher Hope Trautwein, has starred in her first NCAA Event motion at Oklahoma, however has but to really feel the stress of the WCWS championship sequence.

Left fielder Alyssa Brito transferred to OU from Oregon this yr, and was a giant piece of OU’s common season success towards the ‘Horns.

Jordy Bahl, the NFCA Freshman of the Yr, was the ace of the Sooner pitching employees all yr. Attributable to a late-season harm, Bahl has solely made two appearances within the postseason, each on the WCWS.

Because the trio of Oklahoma newcomers put together for his or her first look within the championship sequence, Trautwein stated her teammates have been an amazing useful resource in making ready her for what to anticipate come Wednesday night time.

“This staff has lots of expertise,” stated Trautwein on Tuesday, “and that has undoubtedly helped me and (Alyssa Brito) and Jordy out so much, simply taking after the footsteps of those guys who’ve been right here and gained this earlier than.

“Actually the Champ Sequence, sure, it does imply so much, however we won’t deal with it like that. Now we have to deal with it like some other recreation as a result of, I imply, it truly is one other recreation that I’ve to carry out.

“I haven’t got to do something totally different than what I’ve been doing. I am simply making an attempt to do my finest and go away all of it out on the sector.”

The Sooners can have an opportunity to maneuver inside one recreation of this system’s sixth nationwide title on Wednesday at Corridor of Fame Stadium.

First pitch between OU and Texas is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., and the sport will likely be broadcast on ESPN.

Whatever the adversity Oklahoma faces within the championship sequence, Gasso stated the bond her staff has fashioned this yr will assist propel the Sooners to ship on the largest level within the season.

“We perceive what’s in entrance of us,” Gasso stated. “It is a very tight-knit group, and that is essential on these huge levels.

“If they seem to be a group that does not take care of one another or they’re infighting occurring, it simply does not work. This group has been arm-in-arm from the start, and I feel that has been a giant difference-maker for us.”

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