After three straight years of dominating the conversation, Oklahoma softball is once again heading into the NCAA Tournament with a chip on their shoulder. The Sooners were awarded the No. 3 overall seed on Sunday, setting the stage for another deep postseason run—even if they aren't the top dog this time around.
Alabama claimed the No. 1 overall seed, but don't let that fool you: OU is still a powerhouse. The Sooners (48-8) will host the Norman Regional at Love's Field, beginning with a first-round matchup against Binghamton (20-25) on Friday at 2:30 p.m. The game will air on SEC Network.
Joining them in the regional are Michigan (34-20) and Kansas (35-19), both hungry to upset the three-time national champions. But history is on OU's side: the Sooners haven't lost a regional game since 2019 and have won 15 consecutive regionals. They've also made nine straight Women's College World Series appearances—a streak that speaks to the program's unrelenting standard of excellence.
This season, the Sooners won the SEC regular-season title for the second year in a row, sweeping all eight conference series. They were on track for the No. 1 overall seed before a quarterfinal loss to Georgia in the SEC Tournament. Still, head coach Patty Gasso isn't losing sleep over the seeding.
"Don't care. I can't control it. I can't fight for it," Gasso said. "There's nothing we can do. As long as we're home for the next two weekends, we're OK. Whatever comes our way, we gotta be ready for it."
Gasso, now making her 31st NCAA Tournament appearance at OU, will lean on a roster loaded with talent. SEC Freshman of the Year Kendall Wells headlines a group that also includes first-team selections Gabbie Garcia, Kai Minor, and Ella Parker. After falling to Texas Tech in the WCWS semifinals last season, this team is hungry to reclaim the title.
Friday's opener marks the beginning of what could be another historic run. For a program that's turned championship expectations into a way of life, the road starts at home—and that's exactly where they want to be.