GLADIATORS

The Oklahoma Sooner Softball team clinched its 5th National Championship beating Florida State. After losing its first games in both the Women’s College World Series and the Championship Series, the Sooners became just the 4th team to rally and win a title despite losing those first games.

But the story of the 2021 Championship run goes far beyond what happened in Oklahoma City and is more about the record-setting offensive performances and dominating pitching from Giselle Juraez that showcase the Championship Mindset that is engrained within the Sooner Softball program.

THE SEASON

In previous issues of Boyd Street Magazine, we have focused on both Player of the Year Jocelyn Alo and the power surge the Sooner offense put up in 2021. But the incredible season for Alo is not complete without understanding the challenging path this team took to get to a point where they could play in 2021.

“I just don’t know that people understand how rough it was,” Sooner Head Coach Patty Gasso said. “I think every coach in the country could relate… week by week you’re wondering who’s going to be at practice and who might not, whether they are contact traced and they’re out for two weeks, 10 days. There was a lot of that going on.”

Even the challenge of putting together a schedule created issues. The typical release date for the Sooner softball schedule is in late November, this year the schedule did not even drop until two days before opening day. Once the season started, weather played a factor too, with a crazy winter story freezing out most of the South and forcing the Sooners to find themselves in a state of fluidity.

The term pivot became central to the Sooner Softball, early in the season.

“Every day at practice, I was trying to get people to learn new positions in case we don’t have those players with us,” Gasso said. “It was hard. But at the same time, they were so athletic and understanding about it and saying, hey, whatever we need to do to win, put me wherever you need to put me. Some players were sitting out when they know that they’re good enough to be in. It was just such a selfless team approach the entire season. That’s what it’s about.”

During the Championship Celebration at Marita Hynes Field, Gasso went even more in-depth on how difficult the challenge was to get through the season.

“Four hundred fifty-five days ago, I had to look at Giselle Juarez, Shannon Saile and Nicole Mendes and tell them I’m not sure that you’ll ever play here at OU again because this season is over,” Gasso said. “There was anxiety and a lot of uncomfortable athletes, not knowing what was going on. Thank you, Lord, that we got an extension for our super seniors.

“We played with masks, we had constant COVID testing…. It was really unsettling and kind of nerve wracking, but I so appreciate this team and their commitment to this sport, commitment to wanting to play and making very good decisions.”

Despite the challenges of COVID-19 and a constantly evolving schedule, the Sooners were still excelling on the field. Oklahoma rolled through the early part of its season. Sooner softball had ascended to No. 1 in the national polls, starting the season 33-0 overall.

Oklahoma dominated conference play undefeated, with an overall winning streak carried over from last season to 40 straight games. After a three-game sweep over 7th ranked Texas, with each win coming in run rule fashion, the Sooners faced a quick turnaround with a challenging trip to Athens, Georgia to battle the Bulldogs.

The “Game of the Year” took place in game one of that doubleheader on a Tuesday night in Georgia. The backand-forth battle with the Bulldogs ended with the Sooners falling in 9 innings by a final score of 7-6. A 4th inning grand slam by Lynnsie Elam had given the Sooners a 5-2 6th inning lead, but it was not enough for the Sooners. The Sooners won the nightcap in run-rule fashion but the frustration from game one was still evident in the postgame comments of Gasso.

“We need to get better,” Gasso said. “We’re not good enough. We need to get better, and this team agrees. I think this could end up being one of the most rewarding weekends, just from what we’ve learned from it.”

The Sooners responded winning nine of its last 10 games, clinching a 9th straight Big 12 Championship and 12th in program history, while winning another Big 12 Tournament, the 7th in Sooner Softball history. The regular season put the Sooners in position to both host a Regional and Super Regional.

“We had to get a loss there. We needed a loss there,” Gasso said of the Georgia game. “We didn’t deserve the win, but we felt what it felt like to be in a full-capacity stadium under pressure, that was needed.”

The Sooners proceeded to roll through both the Norman Regional and Super Regional. During the Regional, the Sooners clinched the title with a 24-7 win over Wichita State. OU’s 24 runs set an NCAA Regional single-game record while the Sooners’ 50 runs in three games set an NCAA regional record. The Sooners blasted six home runs on the final day, hitting four in the seventh inning. The six homers tied an NCAA single-game postseason record.

In the Super Regional, the Sooners overcame Washington and its Player of the Year Finalist right-handed pitcher Gabbie Plain. In the first game ever played on ABC, the Sooners clinched its 14th trip to the Women’s College World Series and 5th straight with a run-rule win over the Huskies.

The stage was set for the Sooners to make a run at National Championship No. 5.

THE SCENIC ROUTE

The Sooners had put together a record-setting offense, but questions consistently surrounded its pitching staff. Many wondered if the Sooners had the pitching to match its offensive firepower. Those questions became even louder as Oklahoma lost its first game in Oklahoma City to upstart James Madison and its talented pitcher Odicci Alexander.

Only three teams in the history of College Softball had lost their first game and battled through the elimination bracket. It was a challenge, it would not be easy, but the Sooners had an ace up their sleeve.

Sooner Super Senior Giselle “G” Juarez had been the perceived Sooner ace for most of the season. But Juarez had not pitched an inning in the Super Regionals and did not get the start in the first game of the Women’s College World Series. Juarez had struggled giving up the long ball, having allowed 19 home runs heading into Oklahoma City, and had not been the same pitcher she was earlier this season, and earlier in her career.

But as the Sooners faced elimination against Georgia on a Saturday morning, something clicked.

“She had a different look… calm, confident, wanting the ball,” Gasso said.

Juarez proceeded to run the table for the Sooners in games she started. She shutout Georgia in a run-rule win to advance to a Championship Series rematch with defending Champion UCLA. Against the Bruins, Juarez came out of the bullpen to pitch five innings of shutout relief allowing just three hits leading the Sooners to a win over the Bruins and a rematch against James Madison.

“She had been throwing really well and feeling really good,” Gasso said of Juarez. “She’s been waiting for this moment, a little bit of redemption. I know her season in 2019 ended with a couple of tough outings against UCLA, so this was, I think, something a little personal to her, as well.”

With redemption over UCLA in the rearview, Juarez got a

break as the Sooner bats rallied with a 3-run 7th inning to force an if-necessary game with James Madison. When Florida State upset Alabama, it pushed the Championship Series clincher to Monday afternoon. While many speculated it would hurt the Sooners to face James Madison on an extra day’s rest, Oklahoma dominated winning 7-1. After giving up a lead-off home run, Juarez allowed just three more hits the rest of the game in a complete game while striking out 11 as Oklahoma clinched a spot in the Championship Series against Florida State.

NOTHING BUT A “G” THING

Oklahoma rebounded from losing the first game of the best of three series against the Seminoles to win the next two behind the dominating arm of Juarez. Juarez was named the Most Outstanding Player of the WCWS. In the two wins over Florida State, Juarez pitched back-to-back complete games allowing just three earned runs in 14 innings.

“I just remember being so proud,” Super senior Nicole Mendes said of the performance from Juarez. “I remember last year whenever she got hurt and her not knowing if she would be able to come back. I remember two years ago in ‘19 being on the other side of this ball and her pitching her heart out… I just can only smile because it’s such a G thing to do.”

Juarez finished 5-0 in the tournament. All told in the WCWS, Juarez surrendered 16 hits, four runs, eight walks, and had 38 strikeouts in 31 1/3 innings.

“She just came out on fire this weekend,” Sooner freshman Jayda Coleman said. “She is built for the College World Series. I’m so proud of her. Great super senior to look up to.”

For Juarez, the reality of the moment is one that may not set in for a while.

“I just wanted to go out there and just give (my team) every chance to win,” Juarez said. “The beginning of the season wasn’t great for me, but I just kept grinding and trusting God’s plan for myself. He had this moment planned for me… it just feels surreal right now.”

THE POWER OF 4

Post-season runs in years past have always featured a theme. In 2016, fans would hold their hands up in moments of adversity. 2017 was the power of 3, and in 2019, the Sooners were ready to shoot their arrows. While the 2021 team was fueled with its Gladiator mindset, they drew power and unity in the number 4. Shirts were worn that had “B4TL” on them and the team would hold up 4 fingers in moments of celebration. B4TL – read as “Battle” – was the brainchild of Grace Lyons who came up with the acronym that stands for “Boast about

the Lord.

The number 4 essentially represented the team playing for God and for others and for each other. The number 4 seemed to play a major role for the Sooners beyond just motivation. The Sooners became the 4th team to win the WCWS after losing its first game and became the 4th team to lose the first game of the Championship Series and rally to win the National Championship. And after losing its first game to Florida State, the Sooners had just 4 losses on the season.

“This team, they’re like an engine with cylinders firing. Every one of them has a part in what we’re doing. Whether they’re hitting it out, whether they’re in the dugout picking a pitchers’ pitch,” Gasso said. “Whether they’re calling for a bunt, whether they’re playing great defense — everyone had a part in this.

“They knew how to get here... so many things happened off this field that was life changing for them. Their faith, their fight and finally their finish, 5th national championship for this team.” – BSM