Patty Gasso 'proud' of Jordy Bahl for early performance in Women's College World Series opener

Stanford star pitcher NiJaree Canady has been impressive early on against Oklahoma in the Women’s College World Series. Sooners star Jordy Bahl has been able to match her through four innings.

Bahl wasn’t close to 100 percent as Oklahoma won the national title last season, but she is healthy and pitching well now.

Sooners coach Patty Gasso told ESPN during Thursday’s showdown that she loves seeing her star pitcher healthy and pitching well.

“Really proud of her. It was crushing last year. At this time last year, it was really crushing for her to not be able to come out and help the team,” Gasso said. “But she’s fought, she’s healthy, she’s on her game. It’s fun to watch her pitch. I’m happy that she’s enjoying this time.”

Bahl, who is a sophomore, entered Thursday’s Women’s College World Series opener 18-1 on the year, with a 1.08 ERA. She was named the Big 12 Pitcher of the Year this season.

As a freshman in 2022, Bahl was a first-team All-American and named the National Freshman of the Year.

Oklahoma battling against NiJaree Canady

The Oklahoma offense has been dominant all season, but NiJaree Canady is giving the Sooners fits on Thursday.

Canady entered the Women’s College World Series as the nation’s leader in ERA, and she’s showing why. The Sooners were held scoreless through the first four innings and managed only one hit.

Oklahoma entered the matchup with Stanford 56-1 on the season and averaging more than 8 runs per game.

“Just battle. It’s hard to square her up,” Gasso said. “She’s got exceptional speed and movement, so I think we’ve had her throw over 50, maybe 60 pitches in three innings. So that’s a win in itself. We’ve gotta take little things as victories right now.”

Patty Gasso shares what stands out about this year’s Oklahoma team

After Patty Gasso guided the Oklahoma Sooners to two wins over the Clemson Tigers in the Super Regionals in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, she waxed poetic about her team.

One thing stands out to Gasso about the Sooners, and that’s they way a bunch of athletes from different backgrounds were able to come together and make history throughout 2023.

“I think just it started as a very diverse group, a lot of different backgrounds, different cultures,” stated Gasso. “Almost unsure what it was going to blend like. They did such a significant effort into creating this culture that they really gravitated to, where I don’t know, if they found each other on the street, that they would all be best friends, but when you put them in a room and put softball in front of them, they’ve created this connection like nothing I’ve seen.

“It’s still kind of amazing because they’re so different. Each one up here is so completely different than the other. Yet they found a way to blend this entire team in, and it’s been really amazing to watch.”