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Best of OU head coach Patty Gasso: Enjoying the rise of women's sports for Sooners

Bob Przybyloby:Bob Przybylo•03/27/25•

BPrzybylo

Back-to-back weekends on the road in the SEC will definitely help you figure out who you are, and now OU softball is ready to come back home.

The Sooners went 5-1 in that two-weekend stint. And here comes Tennessee to Love’s Field for a three-game set this weekend.

Head coach Patty Gasso held court with the local media Tuesday afternoon. Here’s the best of the best from that press conference.

Audrey Lowry update?

“I believe she’s going to be throwing some pitches here before the end of the week. Short count, and just see how we’re doing.”

Ella Parker’s status?

“She has been a trooper. I think she’s a little frustrated. If you just feel kind of that constant pain every time you take a step, it just doesn’t feel good. I talk to her every day about, what is it doing to you? She’s like, ‘I’m good, as long as I can put my turfs back on.’ There’s certain things that really help relieve the pain she’s feeling in her leg. But she’s swinging well. She had a frustrating weekend and she would tell you that, but she’s gonna be there when we need her. I know that. I trust that. If I have to bring in a runner, I’ll do it. I just need her mindset to stay where it is.”

Hitters adjusting to SEC grind?

“It’s interesting to watch because they’re seeing elite pitching. I don’t think it’s really affecting them. I think they look at it as a great challenge, so the young ones like Gabbie (are) really doing a good job figuring it out. But it doesn’t even have to be the young ones. Nelly has not seen some of the pitching. I think Ailana, from the conferences that they come from, they’re seeing this is definitely a gauntlet.” 

Women’s basketball? OU women’s sports?

“I went to the game yesterday. It was kind of cool to see. We never get a chance so I was really excited to see. They’re so good, and they play as a team. They’ve got everything. It looks like they have just about everything covered so I’m really excited for them. I heard they got a big-time commit. That’s a game-changer for your program…

“After watching what I saw, they’re pretty dominant. Jennie and I have had this conversation, just how we all really, truly root for each other. When they do well and everyone’s talking about OU basketball, they’re talking about OU. And it’s in the ears of recruits and it’s in the ear of whoever. So when they fall in love with different programs, it gives us a better opportunity in recruiting as well. We’re all helping each other that way. So I’m really — I really enjoyed the game. It was really fun and I’m really looking forward to following them going deep into this and hopefully getting into that championship game.”

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