Patty Gasso on offense in Sunday win over Oklahoma State: 'We needed it'

It was a win Patty Gasso and Oklahoma needed in Bedlam. The Sooners broke a two game skid against their rival Oklahoma State with a dominating 8-2 performance Sunday afternoon.

Facing just a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning, Oklahoma blew it open with a six-run frame. Getting another zero on the scoreboard in the top of the seventh clinched it for Oklahoma.

Gasso looked back at the 6-3 and 6-2 losses of the previous two instances against Oklahoma State. This time, OU got back on track.

“We needed it,” Gasso said postgame. “We had two rough days, it was very uncharacteristic of who we are and how we play. Today felt really good, much more like us. Timely hits … Good defense, everything was really working but the energy was different and we’re still trying to figure this out. 

“But there’s something about this stadium that is so magnificent that the noise can, really I don’t know. We got to really keep working on getting this figured out because it can really help you or it can rally you a little bit like you know being in a big crowd and all the noise. But we’re still getting a little bit more used to living in this space but really happy, really proud of what they did today.”

The Sooners were in a bit of a rut. So the great coach Gasso is, she called up some changes to get the team going offensively, and it happened early.

“There was a call to hit and run with Ella Parker, that was early,” Gasso said. “And then we called one with Coleman. So we were just trying to be more aggressive because we were just kind of standing around and looking at pitches. So just pressed the envelope there and it worked out good and I’m excited to know that we can execute those things.”

The offense got it going and eventually exploded late, as Gasso referred to. But Karlie Keeney got it done on the mound with 6.2 shutout innings, scattering four hits and three strikeouts.

That improved her record to 5-1 on the season and she needed just 81 pitches Sunday.

It was the regular season finale, so all eyes are on the postseason now for the Sooners. With the potential to win a fourth straight national title, there’s still pressure on Gasso on Oklahoma.

But a win like that Sunday could certainly propel them forward.