The Oklahoma Sooners claimed the No. 10 seed in the NCAA Softball Tournament. However, the lack of universities supporting a softball team in Big 12 remains a cause for concern. Head Coach Patty Gasso expressed her disdain with the seeding despite being the defending National Champions.
With the current situation, the Sooners are set to host regional play. If everything goes as expected, OU would then travel to Auburn to face the Tigers in a Super Regional. Knowing these two met for the National Championship a year ago, Coach Gasso told the Franchise Sports, the matchup looking like nothing more than a “good-rating Super Regional.”
Winning 28 of the past 29 games, Oklahoma feels disrespected. “We’re not playing the heavy heavy hitters,” Gasso said. “That’s why we have to depend on going out in early February and March to try to find those big teams to play. That’s our only chance to make [up ground in the RPI standings].”
Over the course of eight weeks, the Sooners moved up a mere five spots in the RPI. In stark contrast, Mississippi State moved up 11 spots over the course of three days simply due to the conference Miss St. plays in. Yet, at the end of the day, Oklahoma must find a way to overcome the situation. Use the “disrespect” to inspire the team on field. Play well and prove the committee wrong!