OU Softball Puts Up Video Game Numbers in Dominant 5-0 Weekend: 3 Key Takeaways
If you're looking for a team that’s already in midseason form before the calendar even flips to March, look no further than Oklahoma softball. The Sooners opened their 2026 campaign with a 5-0 weekend that looked less like early-season tune-ups and more like a warning shot to the rest of college softball.
Let’s break down the three biggest takeaways from a weekend where OU scored 91 runs, launched 23 home runs, and reminded everyone why they’re a perennial powerhouse.
1. The Offense Is Already in Overdrive
Ninety-one runs in five games. That’s not a typo. That’s an avalanche.
OU’s bats didn’t just wake up-they exploded out of hibernation with a vengeance. The Sooners averaged over 18 runs per game, and they did it with a mix of power, patience, and relentless pressure.
With 23 home runs on the weekend, the long ball was clearly a weapon, but this wasn’t just a slugfest. OU’s hitters were disciplined, working counts and capitalizing on mistakes.
What stood out most? The depth.
This wasn’t a one- or two-player show. Production came from all over the lineup, and that’s what makes this team so dangerous.
There’s no easy out, no breather for opposing pitchers. From top to bottom, the Sooners are stacked with hitters who can change the game with one swing-or a well-placed line drive that sparks a rally.
2. New Faces, Same Dominance
The Sooners may have lost some key pieces from last season, but if this weekend was any indication, they’ve reloaded in a big way.
Transfer additions made an immediate impact. Former Liberty pitcher Karlie Keeney stepped into a big role following the departure of longtime pitching coach Jen Rocha, and she didn’t disappoint. Keeney was sharp, composed, and efficient-exactly what you want from a veteran arm stepping into the fire.
On the offensive side, new contributors blended seamlessly with returning stars. Whether it was timely hits, defensive gems, or just bringing energy to the dugout, the newcomers looked like they’d been part of the program for years.
That kind of chemistry this early in the season? That’s not easy to manufacture.
3. Patty Gasso’s Machine Keeps Rolling
OU head coach Patty Gasso has built a dynasty in Norman, and weekends like this are a big reason why. Her teams don’t just win-they dominate. And they do it with preparation, poise, and a culture that demands excellence.
Even with changes to the coaching staff-Gasso recently named Karlie Keeney the interim pitching coach after Rocha’s departure-the program hasn’t missed a beat. That’s a testament to the foundation Gasso has built and the leadership she continues to provide.
The Sooners looked like a team that knows exactly who they are and what they’re playing for. They’re not easing into the season. They’re setting the tone.
Final Thought
It’s only February, but OU’s message to the rest of the softball world is crystal clear: they’re locked in, loaded, and ready to chase another title. And if this weekend was any indication, they’ve got the firepower to do just that.
Opponents, consider yourselves warned.