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Oklahoma softball: Nos. 1 and 3 stand out for Sooners

By Chip Rouse

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO - OCTOBER 23: Heather Ebert #6 of Canada slides in safely as catcher Ashley Holcombe #23 of the United States drops the ball as Ebert scores a run in the first inning during the gold medal softball game on Day Nine of the XVI Pan American Games at the Pan American Softball Stadium on October 23, 2011 in Guadalajara, Mexico. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
GUADALAJARA, MEXICO - OCTOBER 23: Heather Ebert #6 of Canada slides in safely as catcher Ashley Holcombe #23 of the United States drops the ball as Ebert scores a run in the first inning during the gold medal softball game on Day Nine of the XVI Pan American Games at the Pan American Softball Stadium on October 23, 2011 in Guadalajara, Mexico. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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Through 48 Oklahoma softball games, the Sooners have lost only three and rank No. 3 in the latest collegiate poll.

Three has been a lucky number for the Sooners in softball this season, and they are hopeful they can ride Lady Luck all the way to the Women’s College World Series and a third consecutive national championship.

The term luck probably is used too casually here. Sooner fans prefer to think of it in terms of when preparation meets opportunity. That is a more apt description of the culture and character that has underpinned the success of this OU softball team the past three seasons.

Not counting this weekend’s regular-season-ending series with Oklahoma State, the Sooners have gone a remarkable 49-2 in the Big 12 the past three seasons.

Earlier this week, a trio of Sooners (Paige Parker, Paige Lowary and Sydney Romero) were named top-25 finalists for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year.

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As good as the number three has been for OU softball this season, the Sooners have their eyes fixed on a lower number. Oklahoma’s achievements in 2018 are in close alignment with the team’s shared goal of finishing No. 1, again, at the end of the current season.

Oklahoma leads the Big 12 in nine statistical categories: batting average (.327), fielding percentage (.991), home runs (66), on-base percentage (.433), scoring (334 runs), slugging percentage (.546), stolen bases per game (1.20) and strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Beyond the Big 12, Oklahoma is No. 1 in the country in staff ERA and fielding, and freshman Jocelyn Alo leads the country in home runs (23).

The Sooners begin postseason play a week from now. First stop is the Big 12 Championship, where OU will be seeded…wait for it…No. 1. The Big 12 Tournament was not held from 2011 through 2016. Oklahoma won the postseason tournament in 2010 (although the Sooners were seeded seventh that season) and again the first year it was resumed, in 2017.

In the 22 seasons of Big 12 softball, Oklahoma has won the conference regular-season championship 11 times, including the last seven seasons, and five tournament titles.

Here’s that number three again: If the Sooners repeat as champions in the Big 12 Championship, it will be number three consecutively.

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