Patty Gasso speaks to 'big history' Oklahoma has with UCLA

Oklahoma softball coach Patty Gasso acknowledged the “big history” with UCLA ahead of the team’s matchup Saturday in the Women’s College World Series.

Oklahoma’s been the dominant force in college softball while UCLA has quite the history as well. Recently, Kelly Inouye-Perez turned around the Bruins to make them a consistent top 10 team in the country.

So seeing Oklahoma and UCLA square off at the Women’s College World Series isn’t surprising at all for Gasso.

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“We have a big history here at the World Series, without question,” Gasso said. “Very respectful. A lot of our players know their players. They probably know more UCLA players than any other team. So there’s that connection.”

Gasso can’t do anything but respect the UCLA program ahead of the two’s game Saturday.

“Absolute respect,” Gasso said. “I got to tell you, too, I just respect the Big 12. The Big 12 started softball really. That’s kind of what I was watching when I would come here to the World Series. It was always UCLA and Arizona. They are the stepping stones that led to other teams. Michigan found their way. Texas A&M. Fresno State. Teams like that have found their way. It’s always been those two that have been fighting.”

Gasso, who’s team is headed to the SEC next season, is pretty sad to see the Pac-12 end as UCLA and others will go to the Big Ten next year.

“The idea of them dissipating the Pac-12 is really hard for me to fathom because of the history of softball,” Gasso said. “With that, I don’t know, I’m sentimental over that. This is going to be a great matchup. It’s going to be great for television. It’s going to be two teams really fighting for championships.”

As far as the on-the-field product, it should be quite the battle between two of the top teams in softball. 

“UCLA has been playing really, really well,” Gasso said. “Kelly did a great job of turning that program around ’cause they weren’t starting very well. Their freshmen and sophomore have stepped up big-time for them. They have a really lethal lineup. This should be a really, really fun game to watch.”

Oklahoma and UCLA square off in each others next game in the Women’s College World Series at 3:00 p.m. ET.