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Oklahoma

Tradition, history, championships all on display in OU-Alabama Super Regional

Bob Przybyloby:Bob Przybylo•05/21/25•

BPrzybylo

Audrey Vandagriff
Alabama freshman Audrey Vandagriff. (Mady Mertens - Imagn Images)

OU softball has always felt like it has that next-level home field advantage. It was that way at Marita Hynes Field, and you’re seeing it develop at Love’s Field.

There are a lot of wide-eyed looks and jitters galore for opponents coming to OU. That’s usually the case. Um, that won’t be a factor or shouldn’t be a factor when Alabama comes to Norman for the first time.

If you want a Super Regional that is all about history and tradition and all-time greats, your search stops with OU and Alabama.

“I think of big moments where either you’re knocking us out or we’re knocking you out,” said Patty Gasso on Wednesday afternoon. “We’ve both kind of have done that through, whether it’s a Super Regional or the World Series. Shay Knighten’s walk-off (in a game) that I think knocked them out. We’ve had that kind of back and forth with each other.

“But it’s two programs — they know how to fight. They’re well-coached. They come in and they’re not gonna be afraid coming in here. They’re coming in for their lives, as we are. So it’s gonna be a classic matchup and it’s gonna be hard fought. At the end, it’s gonna be a hug for Pat Murphy and vice versa becauseI think we’re old enough to know we know how hard this is and appreciate getting better from each other and wish the other team well.”

The second-seeded Sooners and 15th-seeded Crimson Tide meet up 4 p.m. Friday on ESPN2 in Game 1. It’s a 2 p.m. first pitch for Game 2 on Saturday on ESPN. If there is a Game 3, time and TV will be determined later.

OU is, obviously, the four-time defending national champion. But a program in the same rarefied air would be what Patrick Murphy has built in Tuscaloosa.

How about 15 appearances in the Women’s College World Series, 19 Super Regional appearances?

When the Tide reach this round, they don’t miss too often. Bama is 13-5 in Super Regional play. And coming from behind is not a massive challenge.

The last two times Bama has reached Oklahoma City, it was because it came back from a 1-0 series deficit in Super Regional play. That includes last season on the road at Tennessee.

Another time? That was in 2015 against Gasso and the Sooners.

As even and as fun as it gets between these two historic programs. Alabama is 12-11 vs. OU overall and 6-6 in the NCAA Tournament against the Sooners.

All those battles at neutral sites and in OKC, Bama has finally made it to Norman. It will be one electric atmosphere at Love’s Field all weekend.

The Key to the Norman Super Regional (Softball America)

The Oklahoma hitters didn’t look themselves when they faced Alabama earlier this season. The Sooners weren’t hunting as they typically do and the plans at the plate weren’t executed very well. However, a healthier Ella Parker and Kasidi Pickering are a nightmare to face right now. Can Jocelyn Briski and Catelyn Riley keep the Sooners on their heels again or will Oklahoma put the Boom in Boomer Sooner?

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