Patty Gasso opens up on Oklahoma honoring 10-year anniversary of tragic tornado

The Oklahoma softball team had the town of Moore on their hearts Friday night on the eve of the 10-year anniversary of a tornado that ripped devastation through the town. The Sooners donned helmets in the opening game of their NCAA Tournament Regional featuring a decal in the outline of the state of Oklahoma with the word “HOME” in the center.

The EF5 tornado struck Moore on May 20, 2013, killing a total of 25 people, including nine children. In a postgame press conference following an 11-0 victory against Hofstra, OU coach Patty Gasso spoke on why it was important to her to remember the tragedy.

“Myself, Jen Rocha, JT, many of us were right in the middle of that devastation,” she said. “It left a lasting affect on us. Knowing it’s the 10-year anniversary, it’s just a tribute to the families and those who were having to live life tough every day because of lost little ones especially.”

Playing for Moore 💙

Bringing back the 𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐄 decals to honor all those affected by the May 2013 tornado 10 years ago.#ChampionshipMindset pic.twitter.com/DbGuFrYlED

— Oklahoma Softball (@OU_Softball) May 18, 2023

Nine-year-old Sydney Angle was one of the children who passed in the tornado. Gasso explained how she came to develop a close connection with the family after the fact.

The same year the tornado hit, Gasso allowed Angle’s older sister, Casey to serve as a bat girl for Oklahoma softball during its national title run. Casey later went on to play college softball at Langston University, where she was on the roster for 2022.

“The Angle family is a family that we connected to very much and still have,” Gasso said. “Sydney Angle, the little girl who passed in the Tornado, her father sent me a text the other day. Just appreciation text. The fact that we can bring some pride and maybe make some people happy that we’re remembering is what this was about.”

Oklahoma softball one win away from Super Regional after victory against Missouri

Following the dominant win against Hofstra, OU run-ruled Missouri in six innings to advance to the Regional final on Sunday with an 11-0 win Saturday. Pitchers Jordy Bahl and Kierston Deal combined to allow just one hit in the Sooners’ 32nd shutout of the season.

Oklahoma finished with 11 hits as Kinzie Hansen and Cydney Sanders each recorded a home run on the day. With the win, OU has now won 45 straight and is two victories shy of tying the NCAA single-season record.

Now the Sooners await the winner between Missouri and California, which are currently facing off in an elimination game. The game is set to start at 1 p.m. CT on Saturday in Norman.