Sooner Sweep: Oklahoma Overtakes Texas, Reclaims No. 1 in NFCA Coaches Poll

In a weekend that reinforced their reputation as a powerhouse in college softball, the Oklahoma Sooners emphatically swept their archrivals, the Texas Longhorns, to reclaim the No. 1 ranking in the latest NFCA Coaches Poll. With a combination of elite pitching, explosive offense, and unmatched poise under pressure, Oklahoma not only extended its winning streak but made a loud statement about who truly rules the diamond.

The three-game series, held in front of sellout crowds at Marita Hynes Field in Norman, lived up to the hype — but it was the Sooners who turned the anticipated slugfest into a lopsided showcase of dominance. By the time Sunday afternoon rolled around, the sweep was complete, the fans were roaring, and the national spotlight was once again shining on the crimson and cream.

Entering the weekend, the Longhorns were the top-ranked team in the country, riding a wave of momentum powered by a potent lineup and one of the nation’s most consistent pitching staffs. Oklahoma, sitting just behind at No. 2, had been biding its time since an early-season stumble dropped them from the top spot — a rare position for the three-time defending national champions.

The Sooners wasted no time in reminding the country who they are.

Friday night’s opener was billed as a marquee pitching matchup — and it delivered early. Oklahoma ace Kelly Maxwell, a transfer from Oklahoma State, was lights out. The left-hander kept Texas off balance with a masterclass in pitch location and change of speeds, racking up 10 strikeouts in a complete-game shutout.

Offensively, the Sooners struck in the fifth inning when Jayda Coleman launched a two-run homer into the night sky, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. It was all the scoring Oklahoma needed, taking the opener 2-0 and setting the tone for the weekend.

Saturday’s contest saw the Sooners’ offense come to life in full force. What began as a tense back-and-forth battle turned into a rout by the fifth inning. Led by Tiare Jennings and Kinzie Hansen, Oklahoma piled on 12 hits and 9 runs in a 9-3 victory.

Jennings went 3-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs, while Hansen added a three-run blast that broke the game wide open. Texas simply had no answers for the depth and aggression of the Sooners’ batting order. Even more telling? The Longhorns committed two costly errors — a rare occurrence for a team known for its discipline — signaling just how much Oklahoma had them on their heels.

With the series already won, Sunday’s finale could have been a formality. Instead, Oklahoma approached it with the same intensity and hunger that’s come to define Patty Gasso’s program. Behind another dominant performance from the circle — this time from sophomore Nicole May — and timely hitting from freshman phenom Ella Parker, the Sooners finished the sweep with a 5-2 win.

Texas threatened in the seventh, loading the bases with two outs, but May bore down and struck out the final batter on three pitches, sending her teammates pouring out of the dugout in celebration.

With the sweep, Oklahoma improved to 42-3 on the season and 18-0 in Big 12 play, while Texas dropped to 41-5 and saw its 19-game win streak snapped. It was enough to flip the national rankings, with Oklahoma leapfrogging Texas to reclaim the No. 1 spot in the latest NFCA Coaches Poll released Monday morning.

For Gasso, who has led the program to seven national titles and has built a dynasty unmatched in modern softball, the ranking is less about status and more about trajectory.

“It’s not about being No. 1 in April,” Gasso said after Sunday’s game. “It’s about building every week, getting better every day, and preparing for June. This weekend was a great step forward.”

Still, the symbolism can’t be ignored. Oklahoma had gone nearly two months without the top ranking — an eternity by their standards — and the sweep of Texas was a definitive reminder that the road to the Women’s College World Series still runs through Norman.

Oklahoma’s resurgence this season has been fueled by a mix of veteran leadership and emerging talent.

Maxwell, the grad transfer, has brought experience and calm to the pitching staff, while Nicole May and Kierston Deal provide depth and versatility. At the plate, Jennings continues to terrorize opposing pitchers with a blend of power and precision, and Coleman’s all-around excellence makes her one of the most complete players in the country.

But perhaps the most impressive development has been the integration of the team’s younger players. Freshman Ella Parker has provided clutch hitting in high-leverage moments, and redshirt freshman Kasidi Pickering has emerged as a defensive asset in the outfield.

“Everyone contributes,” Gasso said. “That’s the beauty of this group. We’re not relying on one bat or one arm. It’s collective. It’s culture.”

That culture — defined by relentlessness, attention to detail, and unwavering belief — has become synonymous with Oklahoma softball. It’s why they can lose generational talents to graduation and still reload year after year without missing a beat.

As much as this weekend belonged to the Sooners, it’s far too early to write off the Longhorns. Head coach Mike White has built a legitimate contender in Austin, and Texas remains one of the deepest and most dangerous teams in the country.

Sophomore standout Reese Atwood, who leads the team in RBIs, was held in check by Oklahoma’s pitching staff, but she remains a threat to go deep at any moment. The Longhorns’ pitching trio of Mac Morgan, Citlaly Gutierrez, and Estelle Czech struggled against the Sooners, but they’ve proven themselves against elite competition all season long.

If anything, the sweep may serve as a necessary wake-up call.

“We didn’t execute the way we needed to,” White said. “But this is a long season, and we’ll learn from this. Our goals are still in front of us.”

Should the two teams meet again — which seems likely in the Big 12 Tournament or in Oklahoma City — it will be must-watch softball.

The ramifications of Oklahoma’s sweep extend beyond the Big 12. With just three weeks left in the regular season, the race for top seeding in the NCAA Tournament is heating up, and the Sooners just bolstered their resume in a big way.

The updated NFCA Coaches Poll reflects the shift in momentum:

1. Oklahoma (42-3)
2. Texas (41-5)
3. Stanford (37-6)
4. Tennessee (39-7)
5. Florida State (40-8)
6. UCLA (38-9)
7. Duke (36-10)
8. Georgia (37-10)
9. Washington (35-11)
10. LSU (36-11)

With their remaining schedule including series against Oklahoma State and Kansas, Oklahoma has a clear path to secure the No. 1 overall seed — a position they’ve held in each of the past two postseasons.

Meanwhile, Texas will look to rebound quickly and close the season strong to remain a top-four seed and lock in regional and super-regional hosting privileges.

While the series win and national ranking are cause for celebration, Oklahoma’s players and coaches are already shifting focus to what’s next. A Tuesday non-conference clash with Tulsa offers a brief breather before a weekend series against an underrated Iowa State squad.

The Sooners know that every game — every inning — is an opportunity to fine-tune before the postseason gauntlet begins.

“This team hasn’t hit its ceiling,” Jennings said after the sweep. “That’s the exciting part. We’re still sharpening. Still pushing.”

Indeed, if this past weekend was any indication, Oklahoma may be just beginning to hit its stride. For opponents, that’s a terrifying thought. For college softball fans, it’s pure electricity.

Because when the Sooners are rolling — as they clearly are now — there’s no better show in the sport.