Oklahoma is chasing history again. The Sooners head into the Women’s College World Series with the opportunity to win an unprecedented fourth straight national title. They open double-elimination bracket play Thursday against No. 10 seed Duke. The Sooners began the season as the favorites and felt the weight of high expectations.
FIKE - Oklahoma coach Patty Gasso, front left, and players pose for a photo while holding up three fingers after defeating Florida State in the NCAA Women’s College World Series championship series Thursday, June 8, 2023, in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma begins its quest for an unprecedented fourth consecutive national softball title. FILE - Florida catcher Jocelyn Erickson warms up before an NCAA softball game against Jacksonville, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla.
It hasn’t gone as smoothly as some years. Texas won the Big 12 regular-season title and Oklahoma entered the NCAA Tournament as the No. 2 seed. The Sooners had to get through a tough Florida State team in super regionals to qualify for the World Series.Big changes for the NCAA likely to upend scholarship limits and roster sizes across college sportsThe Sooners made it through, largely due to a strong senior class that Oklahoma coach Patty Gasso calls the best ever.
In other matchups on Thursday, No. 1 Texas faces No. 8 Stanford, No. 6 UCLA faces No. 14 Alabama and No. 4 Florida plays No. 5 Oklahoma State.The NFCA and Duke Sports Information believe Duke coach Marissa Young is the first Black coach to reach the Women’s College World Series. Young also has led the Blue Devils to their first World Series. Veteran UCLA coach Kelly Inouye-Perez, an Asian American, said she is a fan of Young and said the achievement by a fellow woman of color should be celebrated.
The sophomore enters the World Series leading the nation with 310 strikeouts and a 0.66 earned run average.
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