Oklahoma's Shannon Saile (4) pitches in the second inning of the NCAA college Big 12 Championship softball game against Oklahoma State, Saturday, May 15, 2021, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
OU NOT GUARANTEED A WIN OVER WASHINGTON
Oklahoma Sooner softball in 2021 has demonstrated that it might have the best batting team in the history of the game. For sure it is the most explosive one anyone can remember and that tells the softball world that OU will be a tough out this year. The fact that the Sooners are number one means they are the odds on favorite to beat the Washington Huskies this weekend in the Super Regional in Norman. With advancement, and two wins over UW, it’s on to the Women’s College World Series the following week in Oklahoma City. There, the Big Red will again be the team to chase for the National Title.
Before the college softball world crowns OU, be duly aware that this high octane Sooner team is going to need superior pitching to get it done. If they run into a hot pitcher for the Huskies, a derailment is a possibility. The recipe for OU has been to blast homers and have a big inning, sometimes two, or even three in the same game, and destroy their opponents. That they did in their two wins in the sub-regional, crossing the plate 19 times against Morgan State and 24 in their third win, in a game against Wichita State.
But without that super star on the mound, the Sooners will give up runs and if a team does have that great pitcher to shut OU down, yes, they could taste the agony of defeat. The Shockers got a five spot in their first game with OU this past weekend and seven more in the final game. That is 12 runs OU pitcher gave up in those two games and pitching like that against Washington or in the WCWS would prove fatal. As in sport, especially on the diamond, either softball or baseball, pitching and defense win championships. That holds true until it doesn’t. And now OU will face schools that have that one dominate pitcher. OU will have to show that they have a number one stopper also.
OU has excellent pitching, and they are deep. But is the staff better than in previous World Series for OU? Maybe not. The equalizer is that other teams will have that one or two pitchers that are also excellent, maybe great. Maybe great enough to shut OU’s offense down? Who knows?
Given the odds, OU will have to fight every game to win in 2021. They have the offense, but that offense cannot take a two game vacation. OU will win out with the Washington Huskies, two game to one. That is what I believe. But Sooner fans, never be surprised to see Washington pull the upset. They are the best team in the second eight of the super-regional seeding, and yes, they will pitch a girl that is every bit as good as what Patty Gasso will put on the mound.
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