OU softball head coach Patty Gasso spoke to the media Tuesday as the No. 4 Sooners (8-1) are preparing for the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic.
Here are key takeaways:
Sooners cap undefeated weekend with 34-0 victory
OU capped off an undefeated weekend with a 34-0 victory against UTEP. The win marked its highest run total of the season and fell just one run shy of a school record.
Every Sooner in the lineup recorded a hit except for freshman catcher Kendall Wells; they tallied 25 on their way to the run-rule victory. Sophomore utility player Tia Milloy and sophomore shortstop Gabbie Garcia hit two grand slams in the third inning, part of a 12-run frame.
Sophomore pitcher Audrey Lowry started the game for the Sooners and threw for three innings, allowing all three of UTEP’s hits. In relief, senior transfer Sydney Berzon and freshman Berkley Zache each tossed perfect innings, with Berzon striking out the side.
The Sooners went a perfect 5-0 on the weekend, outscoring their opponents 91-9. The blowout wins aside from the 34-0 beatdown against UTEP included a 17-0 game against Montana, a 12-2 win against Minnesota, an 18-6 victory against New Mexico State and defeating Idaho State 10-1.
Sooner pitchers growing in belief
Gasso feels impressed with the pitching staff after it only allowed nine runs in five games last weekend.
“I’m most excited about our pitching staff,” Gasso said. “I think we’re turning a confidence corner.”
Through seven outings, Lowry seems to be the ace in the circle. She has started three of the Sooners’ first seven games and boasts a 1.18 earned run average, a .80 walks and hits per inning pitched and a perfect 6-0 record.
Gasso praised the sophomore’s rise to the top of the rotation.
“I would call her kind of a professional,” Gasso said. “She knows exactly what she’s doing. … That’s her being a student of the game.”
Behind Lowry, Berzon and sophomore right hander Miali Guachino have appeared in four games and tallied one start a piece. Guachino has the better ERA and record of the two, sporting a 2.42 ERA and a 2-0 record. Berzon is right behind her with a 2.80 ERA but with a 0-1 record.
Senior starting pitcher Kiersten Deal, however, has struggled to start the season, through four appearances she has an 18.67 ERA through three innings of work. Though the start of the season has been difficult, coach Gasso believes in the only four-year Sooner on the team.
“I know she’s that good of a pitcher, I know she knows how to compete,” Gasso said. “So it’s just trying to fix … (a) fundamental issue (in the bullpen).”
Pitching for the Sooners will be a work in progress as interim pitching coach Karlie Keeney, a member of OU’s 2024 national championship team, takes over with Jennifer Rocha recovering from undisclosed health issues. Gasso noted the pressure of assuming the rotation on short notice but said the former Sooner pitcher has handled it better this week than last.
“I think it went better,” Gasso said. “I trust her; I believe in her. She’s working with coach Rocha from afar and really gathering some good information.”
OU set to face Patty Gasso’s alma mater, Long Beach State
The Sooners will travel to Cathedral City, California, for the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic this weekend, where they are scheduled to face Cal State Fullerton (4-6), San Diego State (8-2), No. 14 Duke (8-3), Long Beach State (7-3) and California (4-6). The Long Beach State matchup stands out to Gasso with it being her former school.
“Long Beach State is my alma mater; that goes No. 1,” Gasso said. “That is a must (win).”
Gasso played at Long Beach State from 1983-84 before she went to Long Beach City College for her first head coaching job, where she led the program to a 161-59 record in 1990-95. She became the head coach of the Sooners in 1995.
She was inducted into the Long Beach Baseball and Softball Hall of Fame in 2004 for her contributions as a player and coach in the region.
Gasso complimented Duke and San Diego State as well and admitted the weekend could be difficult.
“(Duke) had a good weekend out in Clearwater against some really good teams,” Gasso said. “San Diego State is coached by Stacy Newman, a gold medal winner back in the day, and she works her team that way. We’re going to have challenges all around us.”
The Sooners’ weekend will open up against Cal State Fullerton at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Big League Dreams Sports Park on FloCollege.
This story was edited by Joshua McDaniel.
