NORMAN — The Oklahoma Sooners are set to embark on the next chapter of their season this Friday.
Patty Gasso’s No. 2-ranked Sooners will make their SEC debut at Love’s Field, hosting the No. 11 South Carolina Gamecocks in a three-game series. OU (19-0) has smoothly cruised through the first month of the season, while South Carolina (20-0) has emerged as one of the season’s biggest surprises. The Gamecocks proved their mettle last weekend by sweeping No. 14 Duke, showcasing their ability to win a high-stakes series on the road.
“Our numbers are really similar, eerily similar,” Gasso said during her weekly press conference on Tuesday. “They had a big weekend, and they’ve got an all-around good game—good hitters, good defense. Our numbers, like I said, are very similar. They’re well-coached.”
South Carolina’s lineup features a familiar face: former Sooner Quincee Lilio, who leads the Gamecocks with a .583 batting average, 19 RBIs, and 21 walks with just one strikeout.
How to Watch No. 2 Oklahoma vs. No. 11 South Carolina:
- Game 1: Friday at Love’s Field, 6:30 p.m., SEC Network+
- Game 2: Saturday at Love’s Field, 2 p.m., SEC Network+
- Game 3: Sunday at Love’s Field, 1:30 p.m., SEC Network
“I’m really happy for her. I enjoyed Q a lot here, and I was grateful for her loyalty to the program,” Gasso said of Lilio. “I wasn’t surprised she was ready for this. When COVID hit, there were athletes in the wrong place at the wrong time. She was one of them. She played behind some of the best players in this program’s history but always hustled and practiced hard. I’m sorry it didn’t work out the way we hoped, but as long as she’s getting what she wants from her career, that’s what matters.”
South Carolina’s offense doesn’t rely heavily on home runs. Arianna Rodi leads the team with nine homers, but the Gamecocks have only hit 19 as a team through 20 games. Instead, they excel at drawing walks (113 in 20 games) and putting pressure on defenses with their base running. In contrast, OU’s pitching staff has allowed just 18 walks in 19 games.
Gasso expressed confidence in her pitchers’ ability to limit free bases and trust their defense as they face tougher competition in SEC play. “Their numbers are showing it. We’re undefeated,” Gasso said. “(Pitching coach) Jen Rocha has been a master of who and when to pitch. Giving different looks at the right time can get us three quick outs. We have those options, and they’ve been working well.”
Oklahoma’s hitters will also face a strong South Carolina pitching staff, led by Jori Heard, who boasts a 0.97 ERA in 12 appearances. The Gamecocks have used five different pitchers this season. However, focusing on one pitching staff, rather than multiple teams as in previous weekends, will be a welcome change for OU’s hitters.
“It’s a big exhale because tournament play forces you to learn things very quickly,” Gasso said. “Now, we can dive in, take our time, and be specific in our preparation.”
Regardless of the outcome, Gasso is eager for her team to be tested. “It’s going to happen week in, week out. Our schedule is tough,” Gasso said. “People might say we’ve played a weak schedule so far, but I needed new players to learn and adjust. Now, we have to be ready. There’s no other option. You’ll have to play on tired legs, through injuries. That’s going to be something new for us.”
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