Oklahoma head coach Patty Gasso is no stranger to pressure, high expectations, or formidable opponents. With five national championships and countless conference titles under her belt, she’s built the Sooners softball program into a perennial powerhouse. Still, the sting of a rare series loss lingers—especially when that loss comes at the hands of a team like Alabama.
But as the Sooners prepare for a high-stakes rematch with the Crimson Tide, Gasso’s message is clear: this is not the same Oklahoma team Alabama faced earlier this season. In fact, Gasso believes her team has grown, matured, and recalibrated in ways that put them in a far better position to succeed this time around.
“We’re in a much better place now,” Gasso said after a recent practice. “That series was a wake-up call. It exposed some things we needed to address, and we’ve done that. This team has taken it to heart, and the response has been everything a coach could hope for.”
Oklahoma dropped the series to Alabama in late March, a hard-fought battle that saw the Sooners struggle to find timely hits and falter in high-pressure situations—two areas typically dominated by Gasso-coached squads. But instead of unraveling, the Sooners regrouped. They returned to Norman, reflected, and got to work.
The results since then have been undeniable.
Over the past month, the Sooners have surged. They’ve rattled off an impressive win streak, racking up victories against ranked opponents and showing flashes of the dominance that has defined Oklahoma softball for the past decade. Key players who were quiet in the Alabama series have found their rhythm, and young contributors have stepped up in critical moments.
Gasso credits much of the turnaround to a renewed focus on fundamentals.
“We went back to the basics,” she said. “Pitching, defense, situational hitting—those are the areas where championships are won and lost. We got too caught up in the noise, too caught up in the expectations. That series helped us hit reset.”
One of the most notable improvements has come in the pitching circle. While the Alabama lineup found success earlier in the season, Oklahoma’s staff has since tightened up. Star pitcher Jordy Bahl, who shouldered much of the load in the previous matchup, has looked sharper and more confident. Her command has improved, and she’s developed better chemistry with her catchers.
“Jordy’s grown a lot since then,” Gasso said. “She’s learned how to handle adversity, how to stay composed when things get tough. She’s taken on more of a leadership role, and it’s been fun to watch her evolution.”
Offensively, the Sooners have rediscovered their power. Sluggers like Tiare Jennings and Jayda Coleman have been on a tear, with both players finding their stride at the plate and igniting the lineup with clutch hits. The team’s overall batting average has climbed, and the confidence at the plate is palpable.
“We’re more patient, more selective,” Gasso explained. “Earlier in the season, we were pressing. Trying to do too much. Now, we’re trusting the process and letting the game come to us.”
But it’s not just about physical adjustments. Gasso believes the mental and emotional growth of her team has been just as important.
“You could feel the tension in that Alabama series,” she said. “It was almost like we were afraid to lose. That’s not who we are. We play with joy, with fire, with freedom. That series reminded us of that.”
To that end, Gasso and her staff have placed a renewed emphasis on team chemistry and mindset. They’ve brought in sports psychologists, encouraged open communication in the locker room, and held team-building exercises aimed at strengthening trust and camaraderie.
“We had to rebuild some of that,” Gasso admitted. “When things go wrong, it’s easy to point fingers or lose faith. But this group has done the opposite. They’ve come together, lifted each other up, and committed to being better.”
It’s that sense of unity and purpose that Gasso believes will make the difference in the rematch. While Alabama remains a formidable foe—with power, speed, and coaching pedigree—the Sooners are not intimidated.
“Respect your opponent, always,” Gasso said. “But fear? No. We know who we are, and we believe in each other. We’ve put in the work, and now it’s about execution.”
This time around, Oklahoma heads into the matchup not just with talent, but with the hard-earned perspective that comes from being humbled, then rising again.
And for Gasso, that journey is what it’s all about.
