Patty Gasso on Oklahoma freshmen: 'They just can't be stopped'

They might only be freshman, but you couldn’t from the impact Ella Parker and Kasidi Pickering had for Oklahoma softball on Friday. The pair combined to go a perfect 5-of-5 at the plate for five RBI as the Sooners rolled past BYU in a 13-2 run-rule victory to reached the Big 12 Championship.

Parker set the tone for OU with a solo home run in her first at bat of the afternoon. Pickering kept the momentum rolling a few plays later with a two-RBI single down the left side to increased the advantage to 3-0 after one inning.

The Sooners added a couple more runs in the third inning before using an eight-run fourth inning to pull away for good. Fittingly, it was Parker who brought in the final run of the day after a double to left center.

OU coach Patty Gasso spoke on the play from her freshman and what they have meant to the team all season postgame.

“It seems like you all ask me about them every time we’re in here, so that is wonderful news,” she said. “They just can’t be stopped. They’re really smart hitters and they’re very poised hitters. They don’t get too excited. You can see them kind of between pitches say something out loud to themselves then they step back in and they reset. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen freshmen be so poised and confident and strong. They swing it. They hit the ball really hard. So glad they’re on our side.”

Bother Parker and Pickering are batting above .385 this season and have combined for 18 home runs with 93 RBI. They have appeared in all 54 games with 98 starts between them.

Oklahoma got solid contributions from its seniors in Friday’s victory as well with Alyssa Brito also going 3-of-3 at the plate. The Sooners have a talented roster all around and that from their veterans to their newcomers as they aim to win their fourth straight national championship this season.

Before that, however, they’ll look to leave the Big 12 on top by claiming the conference tournament title. OU is set to face rival Texas in the Big 12 Championship game at 6:30 p.m. CT on Saturday in Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma lost the regular season series against the Longhorns but will hope from another big outing from its star freshman to get its revenge.