OU Softball: Oklahoma Focused on Opening Big 12 Play in Ames This Weekend
This weekend, Oklahoma gets to turn the page.
The top-ranked Sooners were once again dominant in non-conference play, posting a 27-1 record.
OU posted victories over No. 3 UCLA, No. 7 Stanford, No. 9 Washington, No. 13 Kentucky, No. 14 Duke, No. 21 Auburn and No. 24 Northwestern, dropping its only contest to the No. 20-ranked Baylor Bears in Waco.
And while it was an incredibly successful start to the season, Patty Gasso is looking forward to opening up Big 12 play at Iowa State this weekend.
How to Watch Oklahoma vs. Iowa State
- Game 1: Friday, 4 p.m., ESPN+
- Game 2: Saturday, 1 p.m., ESPN+
- Game 3: Saturday, 3:30 p.m., ESPN+
“We are so excited about starting conference play because everybody has already started conference play,” Gasso said on Wednesday. “… We just kind of break the season up in thirds. The first third we just finished. Now we're in the next third. Now you win something. Now you win a trophy or you get named the Big 12 champions.”
The conference opener won’t exactly test the Sooners at the same level as a majority of OU’s non-conference slate.
Iowa State enters the weekend at 11-14 overall, fresh off a 3-1 midweek defeat to Nebraska.
The Cyclones are batting just .240 on the year, which is tied for No. 218 in the country, and the pitching staff rolls in with a combined ERA of 3.58.
In comparison, the Sooners lead the country batting .399 on the year, and the Oklahoma’s pitchers rank third in the nation with a 1.02 ERA.
But Gasso has cautioned her team against overlooking Iowa State in favor of next week’s highly-anticipated National Championship rematch against Texas.
“You can’t take them lightly,” she said. “Their record does not indicate how tough they are. You can’t go in feeling like they’re down or anything like that. I know them. I know they’re coached very well. I know they’re going to be ready to play, especially at their place.”
Not only will Oklahoma have to battle the Cyclones, but the Sooners will also have to fight through less-than-ideal weather conditions.
Both teams already agreed to move Sunday’s matchup to Saturday to avoid potentially frigid conditions, setting up a double-header that will physically and mentally test both teams.
Loading up a pair of games on Saturday will be especially challenging seeing as the Sooners just wrapped up a stretch of 10 games across 10 days this past Sunday.
This week, Gasso worked to ensure OU’s is well-rested on the eve of Big 12 play.
“It’s important for us to keep them rested,” Gasso said. “They’re getting massages. They’re working with our athletic trainers. Doing whatever they can to be ready for Friday.
“… It’s tough because when you think of them resting, it’s not like they’re laying in bed and resting all day. They have to get up and do schoolwork, things they still have to do. To me, I can read them pretty well. I gauge my legs. If I’m not feeling well, I’m sure they’re feeling it 100 times more. Just making sure we keep an eye on them and what they’re doing and getting them what they need.”
Oklahoma’s lineup got a boost over the weekend in Oklahoma City.
Grace Lyons, star shortstop and OU’s captain, returned to the lineup.
After easing her back in, Gasso said Lyons will be “100 percent back” this weekend, adding another body to the bench of available contributors for the Sooners.
Her play paired with the recent hot streaks of Jayda Coleman and Jordy Bahl have been boosts for an Oklahoma team that continues to round into shape as the year has pressed on.
But the focus come Friday will be on starting conference play off on the right foot, as the Sooners look to defend their streak of 10-straight Big 12 regular season titles.
“Now you are playing for those stakes instead of 'OK, look at our record.' That doesn't get you anything,” Gasso said. “It does help your RPI and set you up for the postseason tournament.
“They like to win things like trophies. They like that title. They are going to be fighting for it.”
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