Patty Gasso issued a challenge to her OU softball team after losing to Arkansas on Saturday.
The Sooners' response: They scored seven runs in the first two innings of Sunday's game, won in run-rule fashion and claimed the win in the series matching top-five teams.
If that's all it took, maybe the OU softball coach should issue challenges before every game.
On the strength of its wins against Arkansas — and quite honestly, the strength of its losses — OU remains atop The Oklahoman's College Softball Super 16. During a week in which Alabama lost to Samford and Texas Tech lost to Texas State, the Sooners suffered a pair of losses, too, but they came against Oklahoma State, which looks to be surging, and Arkansas, which starts the week No. 1 in the RPI.
OU retains the top spot for the second consecutive week, just one vote shy of being a unanimous No. 1.
More: OU softball pitcher Allyssa Parker's confidence growing after shutout vs Arkansas
during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Arkansas Razorbacks at Love's Filed in Norman, Okla., Friday April 17, 2026.Oklahoma's Isabela Emerling (13) celebrates a grand slam in the third inning during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Arkansas Razorbacks at Love's Filed in Norman, Okla., Friday April 17, 2026.Oklahoma's Kai Minor (22) celebrates a double in the second inning during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Arkansas Razorbacks at Love's Filed in Norman, Okla., Friday April 17, 2026.Oklahoma's Kai Minor (22) throws a pitch during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Arkansas Razorbacks at Love's Filed in Norman, Okla., Friday April 17, 2026.Oklahoma's Isabela Emerling (13) hits a grand slam in the third inning during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Arkansas Razorbacks at Love's Filed in Norman, Okla., Friday April 17, 2026.Arkansas' Tianna Bell (20) celebrates a home run in the third inning during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Arkansas Razorbacks at Love's Filed in Norman, Okla., Friday April 17, 2026.1 / 6OU softball hosts Arkansas in an SEC game at Love's Field, see top photosduring the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Arkansas Razorbacks at Love's Filed in Norman, Okla., Friday April 17, 2026.1 / 6OU softball hosts Arkansas in an SEC game at Love's Field, see top photosduring the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Arkansas Razorbacks at Love's Filed in Norman, Okla., Friday April 17, 2026.2 / 6OU softball hosts Arkansas in an SEC game at Love's Field, see top photosOklahoma's Isabela Emerling (13) celebrates a grand slam in the third inning during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Arkansas Razorbacks at Love's Filed in Norman, Okla., Friday April 17, 2026.3 / 6OU softball hosts Arkansas in an SEC game at Love's Field, see top photosOklahoma's Kai Minor (22) celebrates a double in the second inning during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Arkansas Razorbacks at Love's Filed in Norman, Okla., Friday April 17, 2026.4 / 6OU softball hosts Arkansas in an SEC game at Love's Field, see top photosOklahoma's Kai Minor (22) throws a pitch during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Arkansas Razorbacks at Love's Filed in Norman, Okla., Friday April 17, 2026.5 / 6OU softball hosts Arkansas in an SEC game at Love's Field, see top photosOklahoma's Isabela Emerling (13) hits a grand slam in the third inning during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Arkansas Razorbacks at Love's Filed in Norman, Okla., Friday April 17, 2026.6 / 6OU softball hosts Arkansas in an SEC game at Love's Field, see top photosArkansas' Tianna Bell (20) celebrates a home run in the third inning during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Arkansas Razorbacks at Love's Filed in Norman, Okla., Friday April 17, 2026.The Oklahoman's College Softball Super 16Team, Points (first-place votes), Record, Last week’s ranking
Others receiving votes: Arizona, 10, 31-13, 15; Stanford, 8, 30-12, RV; UCF, 3, 35-12, NR; Mississippi State, 1, 34-14, RV; Virginia Tech, 1, 38-8, 10
Voters: Jenni Carlson, The Oklahoman; Nathan Giese, Lubbock (Texas) Avalanche-Journal; Cora Hall, Knoxville (Tenn.) News Sentinel; Eric Lopez, In The Circle; Justin McLeod, D1Softball.com; Joe Mussatto, The Oklahoman; Noah Ram, Gainesville (Fla.) Sun; Colton Sulley, The Oklahoman; Brady Vernon, Softball America; Kirk Walker, Oklahoma City Spark general manager; Scott Wright, The Oklahoman.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Super 16 college softball rankings: Did OU stay No. 1 after .500 week?