BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN via Imagn Content Services, LLC
On Sunday afternoon, the No. 1 seeded Oklahoma Sooners (48-2) handled the upset-minded Wichita State Shockers to the tune of a massive 24-7 victory. With the emphatic win, OU claims the Norman Regional title and advances to the Super Regional round.
1️⃣1️⃣ straight Super Regional appearances. We’ll see you back at Marita Hynes Field next week! #ChampionshipMindset | #RoadtoWCWSpic.twitter.com/vKFbrfciqR— Oklahoma Softball (@OU_Softball) May 23, 2021
Patty Gasso made the interesting decision to start sophomore Olivia Rains in the circle on Sunday, and it cost the Sooners early as WSU quickly built a 3-0 lead. The Hall of Fame head coach then made another questionable call by pulling Rains for sophomore Alanna Thiede, who eventually gave up another run. While both players have the talent, their collective inexperience coming into the day proved to be a bad mix for such an important stage.