Oklahoma Sooners Softball Earns Unanimous Preseason No. 1 Ranking

For the first time in program history, the Oklahoma Sooners enter the season with the No. 1 Ranking and rightfully so. Coming off a National Championship, Head Coach Patty Gasso watched as her group started the season 0-2. However, settling into the level of play that D-I Softball demands, the Sooners ripped off seven consecutive wins before suffering another loss. From that point on, this program led by freshmen and sophomores a year ago seemed unstoppable. Now, Gasso returns six-of-seven All-Conference players including All-Americans Paige Parker and Shay Knighten.

With the rise to the top, not only has the media taken notice but also the coaches. To begin the season, the Sooners received all 32 first place votes in the NFCA Coaches Poll. This occassions marks the fourth time in the history of the poll that a team has secured all 32 first place votes and the first since Arizona State did so in 2012. The other two programs to complete the feat since 1995? The annually ranked Washington Huskies in 2010 alongside Arizona dating back to 1998.

Oklahoma puts their ranking on the line early in a World Series rematch against the No. 2 Auburn Tigers in the opening game of the year. Set to take place in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico on Feburary 9th, it will be the first of two ranked foes in a matter of three days. Could this be the start of another special season?

Here’s how the rest of the poll shakes out.

RANKINGS