Patty Gasso on Oklahoma’s senior class: ‘They’re the best I’ve ever coached’

The senior class for Oklahoma stands unchallenged as the best group to ever step on a softball field. Not only does their 221-12 record since 2021 stand as the winningest stretch in the history of the sport, but they’ve also won three national championships.

The Sooners seniors played the last regular season game of their college career Sunday as they hosted rival Oklahoma State at Marita Hynes Field. That gives fans a chance to say goodbye to players such as Rylie Boone, Tiare Jennings, Jayda Coleman, Nicole May and several others who have given their all over the past four years.

Speaking with ESPN’s Holly Rowe during Sunday’s game, Gasso gave the senior class the ultimate praise.

“I think that’s it in a nutshell,” she said, pointing to their .948 winning percentage. “I think I take them for granted. I think a lot of people take them for granted. But they’re the best I’ve ever coached. Each year they go on, the harder it gets.”

That dominance has created a target on the Sooners’ back as they attempt to win their fourth national championship in a row. Doing so would cement them as the biggest dynasty in the history of college softball, if they haven’t already done enough to claim that title.

It hasn’t come without some tough moments, and Jennings is currently going through a bit of a slump with the postseason looming. She is just 3-of-28 at the plate in the past seven games. That includes going a combined 0-of-7 in the first two games of the Bedlam series this weekend.

Don’t expect her to stay that way for long, though. Jennings is currently seventh in college softball history with 91 career home runs and the Sooners’ all-time leader in doubles. Her 300 career RBIs are only 28 away from tying the NCAA leader.

For those reasons, Gasso has confidence in her and the rest of the Oklahoma softball senior class to step up when the time comes.

“I think she is a very good version of herself in here,” Gasso said. “Something’s just not clicking and that happens. That happens to every one of our hitters, it just happens to be happening to her right now. She will break out of it. I know she will. I just always have confidence in her.”

Oklahoma has never been swept in a Big 12 series and must win Sunday against the Cowgirls to maintain that streak. The Sooners currently hold a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning.

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