Patty Gasso on freshmen handling NCAA Tournament pressure: 'They are better left alone'

Oklahoma has set the standard for what success looks like in college softball in recent years. With the postseason upon us, the Sooners’ sights are set on Oklahoma City.

While the returning roster has experience playing on softball’s biggest stage, the Sooners have relied on a pair of inexperienced freshmen in Ella Parker and Kasidi Pickering. Sooners head coach Patty Gasso explained her message — or lack thereof — to her younger players ahead of the start of the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

“I’m not doing one thing,” Gasso said. “They’re better left alone because they’re following along and doing their thing. This time of year, I really try to stay out of people’s ear unless they need it. Like the cans, you’re going to. This is your light, your space, where you’re best. Those are the things they need more than anything.

“These freshmen are amazing. They are incredible. They don’t know what they don’t know. That’s a beautiful thing to watch sometimes. When we were at the national championships in 2000, it was the first time we had ever gotten there. None of us knew what was going on. And when you don’t know what’s going on, you just play. That’s how we did it. I’m not going to do one thing different with them.”

Both Parker and Pickering have been major pieces to Oklahoma’s efforts on the diamond this season. Parker currently ranks fourth on the team in batting average with a strong .410 average. She has totaled 57 hits, scored 53 runs, 52 RBI, 24 extra base hits and 11 home runs. Parker has also drawn 29 walks while striking out 16 times during 139 at-bats.

Pickering has seen similar success as a freshman this season as well. Starting in 53 of the Sooners’ 53 games during the regular season, she has compiled a .375 batting average to go with seven home runs and 41 RBI on 45 total hits.

After the Sooners’ defeated No. 1 Texas to win the Big 12 Championship game last weekend, OU entered the NCAA Tournament as the No. 2 overall seed and is set to play Horizon League champion Cleveland State in the 2024 Norman Regional at home on Friday. The first pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT live on ESPNU.

Oregon and Boston U are the other two teams to round out the regional bracket.