The No. 4 Oklahoma Sooners head west this weekend with momentum, questions, and one of the nation’s most explosive offenses in tow.
After a statement-opening weekend in Arizona that featured a high-scoring series win over No. 17 Arizona, Patty Gasso’s retooled Sooners (3–1) travel to Las Cruces, New Mexico, for the Troy Cox Classic. Oklahoma will play four games over two days at the NMSU Softball Complex, facing a mix of Big Sky, Conference USA, and Big Ten opponents in what amounts to a critical early-season measuring stick.
While the results last weekend reinforced Oklahoma’s national contender status — the Sooners currently lead the nation in home runs — the Troy Cox Classic offers something different. This tournament is less about proving star power and more about answering key questions, particularly in the pitching circle, lineup depth, and defensive consistency as the 2026 roster continues to take shape.
Sooners Game Schedule (All Times CT)
All games played at the NMSU Softball Complex
- Friday, Feb. 13 — 11:00 a.m. vs. Montana
- Friday, Feb. 13 — 2:00 p.m. vs. New Mexico State
- Saturday, Feb. 14 — 10:00 a.m. vs. Minnesota
- Saturday, Feb. 14 — 1:00 p.m. vs. Idaho State
How to Watch and Listen
All games at the Troy Cox Classic are expected to stream on ESPN+, providing fans a full look at Oklahoma’s first road tournament of the season.
Radio coverage is typically available through Chris Plank on The Franchise 2 (1560 AM) or via the Varsity Radio App, giving fans multiple ways to follow the action from Las Cruces.
Opponent Breakdown: One Thing to Know About Each Team
Montana (Friday, 11 a.m.)
Montana (3-2) enters the weekend built around one primary offensive engine: Grace Lopez. She went 10-for-17 (.588 average) with six runs scored and a perfect 5-for-5 in stolen base attempts last weekend. Montana will look to shorten games and capitalize on limited scoring chances, making early defensive execution critical for Oklahoma.
New Mexico State (Friday, 2 p.m.)
The host Aggies (3-3) present the most familiar test of the weekend. Faith Aragon is a true utility threat who impacts the game both at the plate and in the circle. Last weekend she showcased her dual-threat ability by hitting a solo home run and recording three RBIs while also pitching 3.1 innings with five strikeouts. Aragon enters the tournament with a massive 1.888 OPS. The Aggies are capable of punishing mistakes, particularly in hitter-friendly conditions.
Minnesota (Saturday, 10 a.m.)
Minnesota (1-4) represents the most traditional “Power Five” matchup of the tournament. The Gophers added portal talent to their pitching staff and are led offensively by Jessa Snippes, who carries a .600 slugging percentage into the weekend. Minnesota’s ability to slow the game down could test Oklahoma’s patience at the plate.
Idaho State (Saturday, 1 p.m.)
Idaho State arrives off the winningest season in program history, finishing with 37 wins in 2025. The Bengals are known for disciplined pitching and strong defensive fundamentals, boasting a staff with a high strikeout-to-walk ratio. This matchup may not feature explosive offense, but it will challenge Oklahoma’s ability to manufacture runs and avoid giving away free outs.
Take A Deeper Dive Into Oklahoma Softball
Exclusively on our subscription page.
– Opportunity in the Desert – What Oklahoma Aims to Prove at the Troy Cox Classic
– Control vs. Confidence: What Oklahoma Softball’s Early Pitching Metrics Are Really Telling Us in 2026
– Damage Over Volume: Why Oklahoma Softball’s Early Metrics Signal A Different Kind of Offensive Power in 2026
Oklahoma by the Numbers: Statistical Leaders
Despite a roster featuring 14 new players, Oklahoma’s offensive production wasted no time asserting itself nationally.
Offensive Leaders
- Batting Average: Nelly McEnroe-Marinas — .875 (7-for-8)
- On-Base Percentage: Nelly McEnroe-Marinas — .929 (currently leads the NCAA)
- Home Runs: Gabbie Garcia — 4 HR
- Slugging Percentage: Gabbie Garcia / Allyssa Parker — 1.286
- RBIs: Gabbie Garcia — 6 RBIs
Garcia has been especially electric, leading the team in total bases while nearly every hit has gone for extra bases. McEnroe-Marinas has been equally impactful, reaching base in 13 of her 14 plate appearances last weekend.
Pitching Leaders
- Wins: Audrey Lowry — 3–0
- ERA: Audrey Lowry — 0.47 (15.0 IP)
- Strikeouts: Audrey Lowry — 16 K
- Innings Pitched: Audrey Lowry — 15.0
Lowry carried the load in Arizona, accounting for every Oklahoma win and emerging as the clear ace through the season’s first weekend.
Three Things Oklahoma Fans Should Watch This Weekend
1. The Search for a Reliable No. 2 Pitcher
Audrey Lowry has established herself early, but Oklahoma cannot lean on one arm all season. Last weekend’s lone loss featured control issues, as the staff combined for seven walks. This weekend presents opportunities for pitchers like Kierston Deal and Sydney Berzon to establish command, efficiency, and trust — particularly against lineups that will test patience rather than power.
2. Freshman Kendall Wells’ Role Behind the Plate
Few players made a louder opening statement than freshman catcher Kendall Wells, who delivered game-winning, and game-tying, home runs in Arizona. The question now becomes sustainability. Can Wells continue producing enough offense to hold the starting role over veteran Isabela Emerling, and how will Oklahoma manage the catching workload across four games in two days?
3. Can the Offense Stay Selective on the Road?
Oklahoma leads the nation with 15 home runs, but this weekend will test more than raw power. Teams like Idaho State and Minnesota thrive on pitching discipline and defensive execution. The Sooners’ ability to take walks, avoid chasing early, and capitalize on mistakes will determine whether games turn into blowouts or late-inning tests.
What This Weekend Really Means
The Troy Cox Classic isn’t about rankings in February. It’s about refinement.
Oklahoma’s offense has already proven it can overwhelm opponents. Now, the focus shifts to balance — identifying secondary pitching options, refining defensive roles, and continuing to integrate a roster that blends veterans with high-impact newcomers like Sydney Berzon and Miali Guachino.
If the Sooners leave Las Cruces with cleaner pitching performances and continued lineup clarity, the weekend will have served its purpose. The power is already there. The polish is what Oklahoma is chasing next.
And in Las Cruces, the Sooners will get four chances to find it.
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