As the 2024 softball season heads into the fourth week of the season, Oklahoma stands alone as the only undefeated team in the Big 12. After going 5-0 at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic, including a 9-3 decision over No. 25/20 Mississippi State, the Sooners tightened their grip as not only the best team in the Big 12 but the best in the nation as well. Oklahoma hit .378 at the Mary Nutter and outscored their five opponents 43-5, which is why they will continue to be No. 1 in every poll out there, including our power rankings.
2024 Heartland Sports Big 12 Softball Power Rankings,Β WeekΒ 4
| Ranking | Record |
| 1. Oklahoma | 14-0 |
| 2. Texas | 12-1 |
| 3. Oklahoma State | 13-2 |
| 4. Baylor | 8-3 |
| 5. Texas Tech | 12-3 |
| 6. BYU | 12-3 |
| 7. Houston | 12-4 |
| 8. Kansas | 9-5-1 |
| 9. UCF | 8-6 |
| 10. Iowa State | 7-7 |
Notes
- There simply isn’t an argument, at this point, for anyone other than Oklahoma to be ranked #1. Before the weekend, Texas could have made a vague argument but that’s gone now. The Longhorns, as well as everyone else, will get their shot at the Sooners.
- Baylor is surging! The Bears have won seven in a row and claimed victories against UCLA and Missouri over the weekend.
- BYU and Texas Tech have equal records but the Red Raiders have played seven of their fifteen games this season on the road. BYU has only played one true road game to this point of the season.
How Oklahoma Compares Against The Big 12
Batting
The Sooners actually moved up two spots from #5 to #3 this week in conference batting average. They’re just behind BYU and are within striking distance of Texas. Oklahoma’s offense exploded for 43 runs over the weekend, which could be a bad sign for the rest of the conference.
| Index | Team | AVG | G |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | .398 | 13 |
| 2 | BYU | .362 | 15 |
| 3 | Oklahoma | .357 | 14 |
| 4 | Houston | .341 | 16 |
| 5 | Oklahoma State | .334 | 15 |
| 6 | Kansas | .332 | 15 |
| 7 | UCF | .325 | 14 |
| 8 | Baylor | .298 | 11 |
| 9 | Iowa State | .282 | 14 |
| 10 | Texas Tech | .271 | 15 |
Worth Noting: Oklahoma and Oklahoma State are tied for the most home runs in the conference with 22 each.
Best on the Team: Kasidi Pickering is Oklahoma’s new batting leader. She’s hitting .471 on the season with 10 RBI and 16 runs scored.
Pitching
It’s a little closer this week than it was a week ago but the Sooners continue to have the best pitching staff in the Big 12.
| Index | Team | ERA | W-L |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma | 0.73 | 14-0 |
| 2 | Texas | 0.95 | 12-1 |
| 3 | Oklahoma State | 1.84 | 13-2 |
| 4 | BYU | 2.65 | 12-3 |
| 5 | Baylor | 2.78 | 8-3 |
| 6 | Kansas | 2.80 | 9-5 |
| 7 | Texas Tech | 2.96 | 12-3 |
| 8 | UCF | 3.03 | 8-6 |
| 9 | Houston | 3.83 | 12-4 |
| 10 | Iowa State | 5.16 | 7-7 |
Worth Noting: Oklahoma pitchers have only allowed 48 total hits on the season. That’s the fewest in the Big 12. The Sooners have only given up two home runs this season which ties them with Texas for the fewest in the conference. OU pitchers have struck out 88 opposing batters which is the second fewest in the league behind BYU’s 92.
Best on the Team: Karlie Keeney is the only pitcher in the Big 12 with a 0.00 ERA. She’s posted 2-0 record, with one save, and has tossed 17.1 shutout innings with 8 strikeouts.
Fielding
The conference continues to flash fantastic defense, with the Sooners leading the way.
| Index | Team | FLD% |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma | 0.989 |
| 2 | Oklahoma State | 0.981 |
| 3 | UCF | 0.980 |
| 4 | Houston | 0.973 |
| 5 | Texas Tech | 0.968 |
| 6 | BYU | 0.964 |
| 7 | Kansas | 0.964 |
| 8 | Texas | 0.960 |
| 9 | Baylor | 0.957 |
| 10 | Iowa State | 0.955 |
Worth Noting: The Sooners have committed the fewest errors in the Big 12 with just four. Oklahoma State is the second lowest with double the amount of mistakes at eight.
Best on the Team: The numbers of players remaining in the Big 12 with a perfect fielding percentage shrunk by nine last week. There are now only 21 fielders who have been perfect through the first three weeks of the season, and four of them wear crimson and cream. Cydney Sanders, Tiare Jennings, Riley Ludlam, and Riley Boone have all been perfect to this point of the season.
Follow us on Twitter:Β @SportsHeartland