When the NCAA released the first softball RPI rankings of 2026 on Monday, Oklahoma was ranked 14th. Yet, based on the streak of dominance by the Sooners in the past 13 games, one would expect a much higher placement from a team with a 24-2 record that outscored opponents 116-8 over a single weekend.
The factor that tanked Oklahoma below the top 10 most likely comes down to their relatively weak strength of schedule. Seven of the 18 opponents the Sooners have beaten so far this season have a losing record, though the Sooners fared better at the No. 4 spot in the latest ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 on Tuesday, where No. 12 Arizona is their highest-ranked win, followed by No. 21 Washington and No. 25 Duke.
Sooners ranked 14th in RPI despite another phenomenal weekend
Last weekend before the rankings were announced, the Sooners wrapped their second home slate with two incredible records from the offense. During the game against Louisiana on Saturday, freshman Kendall Wells launched a 304-foot bomb away from her bat and over the bleachers at Love’s Field, which was likely the furthest home run since the new stadium opened in 2024.
flying objects headed to Asp Avenue 👀
— Oklahoma Softball (@OU_Softball) March 8, 2026
KW OUT OF LOVE'S! pic.twitter.com/DInzKdBS1q
OU proceeded to make NCAA history the following day while facing Abilene Christian by eclipsing its own record for fastest team to 100 home runs when junior utility Ella Parker helped to trim the superlative in the 25th outing of 2026, which beat the previous record of 36 in 2021.
The pitching staff showed their best by giving up only one run across the four-game series on Saturday against Louisiana, while tossing three mercy-rule shutouts that included a complete game by freshman Allyssa Parker in the Abilene Christian opener on Saturday.
RPI sleeping on the Sooners is nothing new for Patty Gasso, as her program was placed at No. 26 during the first rankings in March of last season, but then gradually improved to No. 4 after the Women’s College World Series.
Eight SEC teams were rated higher than the Sooners, and 23-0 Tennessee stands at the top of both rankings. LSU, Texas, Arkansas and Georgia are among those powerhouses slated to play Oklahoma on the conference schedule, and each is ranked in the top 25. Lopsided margins of victory aren't guaranteed in the toughest conference, but the Sooners will come prepared.