OU notebook: First day sets the WCWS tone for SEC elite

It’s just the way the bracket worked out for OU softball and the other teams in that foursome part of the Women’s College World Series.

You know what you’re expecting when the national seeds are released. This was just the year where everything fell true to form in some cases and was pure chaos in others.

But reseeding doesn’t appear to be the answer, according to the coaches. So yes, it’ll feel weird that either OU, Texas, Florida or Tennessee will be going home Friday night, but that’s the way it goes in 2025.

And heck, they know that’s how it has gone all season in the SEC. One tough gauntlet after another, so why would Oklahoma City be any different?

“On Saturday of the final SEC home game, I congratulated Coach Gasso at home plate for winning the SEC,” Florida coach Tim Walton said. “I believe they won it the night before. We beat them, but another team lost a game, so they won the conference outright.

“So I congratulated her at home plate. And she gave me a look, and she said, “Did we? Because it certainly didn’t feel like it.” I think that’s a pretty good quote. It’s her quote to me, but I think that sums up just how tough this league was this year.”

No. 3 Florida vs. No. 6 Texas gets it all started 11 a.m. Thursday. That will be followed by No. 2 OU vs. No. 7 Tennessee at 1:30 p.m. (approximately).

The night session is No. 12 Texas Tech vs. NR Ole Miss and No. 9 UCLA vs. No. 16 Oregon to close out the evening.

“This team amazes me,” OU head coach Patty Gasso said. “And I am not concerned about them being rattled. I think they’re going to come in and just get to work. That’s their mentality. Let’s get in the dugout, let’s get to work, let’s go to work. That’s how we have been living through this season.”

Glasco happy for Landry

Gerry Glasco had spent years mentoring and coaching Sam Landry. Now they’re in Oklahoma City, just not together.

Glasco and Landry were at Louisiana this time last season. Glasco made the move first, taking the head coaching spot at Texas Tech.

Landry, of course, ended up at OU. And they’ll reconnect at Devon Park, with the Sooners and Red Raiders both in the eight-team field.

“Sam is a tremendous player and talent, and also a tremendous person,” Glasco said. “On a personal level, is a sweetheart to me and my wife. She means the world to us on a personal level. Thrilled to see her have the year she had. Going back to last summer, I was talking to her, I don’t know how often, but pretty close to every day, I think, throughout the recruiting process. And when it came down to that last week, she had a visit coming up with Oklahoma.

“I knew if she had the opportunity to work with Coach Rocha and Coach Gasso, that would give her the opportunity — and I remember telling her: If you play for Coach Rocha, you will have the rest of your lifetime to look back. You know you had the chance to work with the top pitching coach in the game, and you’ll know — the results will indicate your potential.”

The results have certainly spoken for themselves. Landry has been every bit the ace that OU needed for the 2025 season. Also earning SEC Newcomer of the Year honor along the way.

Glasco has been there, admiring from a different point of view.

“I encouraged her to go for that,” he said. “I just thought it was a good way for Sam to end her college career if she chose to go that route. And I think we’re seeing that now, a great athlete with a great coaching staff, and it’s been her moment.”

OU earns honors

WCWS media day means All-American honors day as well. OU once again was well-represented with multiple players earning the distinction.

Sophomores Kasidi Pickering and Ella Parker were both named to the first team. Pitcher Sam Landry earned second team honors, while freshman Gabbie Garcia has been named to the third team.

Second baseman Ailana Agbayani also earned the Rawlings Gold Glove honor. The transfer from BYU has been sensational for OU all season.