Patty Gasso discusses young players ready to step up for Oklahoma

Patty Gasso has a highly experienced team at Oklahoma but the young players will have to take the mantle sooner or later.

Following a thrilling 6-5 win over Florida in eight innings, the Sooners will take on Texas for the Women’s College World Series title. Gasso and crew go for their fourth title in a row and if they win, they’ll be set up for the future.

As in, Gasso’s dynasty won’t stop anytime soon.

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“Yeah, definitely. We need them,” Gasso said postgame. “They’re doing some great, great things offensively. I think you just know the big names. Now you’re really learning. Call her Sweet Baby, not Ella Parker. Kasi Pickering is doing a great job, very clutch for us this season and today as well. There’s a lot of pitchers that are young that are watching and learning and waiting for their number to be called.

“The future is going to continue to be bright even without these 10 seniors.”

Avery Hodge was someone who stepped up in the sixth inning. She scored the tying run while Ella Parker drove it in to the tie the game 5-5.

“That was so big,” Gasso said. “You know when you have a player and, like, she’s kind of that slapper, and then you got Alynah, who is a big hitter. They keep going back and forth. Maybe that’s not the smartest thing to do because you keep sharing at-bats.

“But she’s been waiting for this moment. She practices hard. She does everything right at practice. Just waiting for her name to be called a little more often. She showcased herself big-time today. I don’t think anybody was expecting that rope down the line that turned into a double. She had really, really big-time hits for us the last couple of days.”

Alynah Torres is another who’s ready to go as well, as Gasso mentioned. Yes, the Sooners have young bucks, but if they can get Torres back from injury, the senior can only help in the finals against Texas.

“Alynah is sitting there doing the best she can,” Gasso said. “We’re trying to play for her and get her back on the field. This girl has been waiting her whole life. These guys are waiting their life to be in this position. So hopefully we get a dose of Alynah as well. But Avery has gotten that opportunity, made the most of it. Really helped our team win today.”