The OU Softball team began their 2022 season in Santa Barbara, California on February 10. The team is coming off of a National Championship campaign in which the team won their fifth championship under coach Patty Gasso during her tenure as the head coach at OU. Expectations are sky high for this season and for this team as the Sooners look to repeat again as National Champions.

Through 15 games, the Sooners have lived up to all of the hype and shown in dominant fashion why they deserve their unanimous number one ranking in all of the polls. The Sooners have won all 15 of their games so far, with 12 of those 15 coming in run-rule fashion. Their season has already featured three game against other ranked opponents, two of which were ranked in the top 10 nationally.

The Sooners have been dominant both offensively and defensively this year in all of their wins. Through the first 15 games, OU is outscoring its opponents 137 to 16. OU went through its first five games without allowing a single run scored. Senior Jocelyn Alo leads the Sooner offensive attack. Alo is currently tied for the NCAA career record for home runs hit so she will surpass that this season and hold the record for herself. But the buck doesn’t stop with Alo. This team is loaded from top to bottom when they are at the plate. There truly isn’t a weakness in the entire line-up.

The same statement could be made when the Sooners are on defense. The Sooners are led on defense by their three starting pitchers, Senior Hope Trautwein, Sophmore Nicole May, and Freshman Jordy Bahl, who has taken the softball world by storm in this young season. All three pitchers can strike out any batter that they face in three pitches. And when the opposing team miraculously makes contact with the ball, it goes straight to an infield and outfield defense that is rock solid. Nothing gets behind those girls.

Personally, I think the only team who can beat the Sooners is themselves. I truly don’t think anyone else in the country has the talent to hang with OU this year. If OU gets up and ready to play every game then I wish their opponent well. But coach Gasso won’t let her team sleepwalk through a game. So good luck to the field this year. You’re gonna need it.