OU Softball: Patty Gasso Has Nothing But Pride for Oklahoma’s ‘Joyous Ride’
Oklahoma’s season came to a close Monday, but head coach Patty Gasso made one thing clear: her pride in the 2025 Sooners runs deep.
The Sooners fell short in the Women’s College World Series semifinals, ending a remarkable campaign that saw resilience, reinvention, and a legacy extended in new ways. For Gasso, who has led Oklahoma to seven national championships, the 2025 season won’t be remembered for how it ended, but for the journey it became.
“This team had joy, grit, and a togetherness that made every day exciting,” Gasso said after the final game. “We didn’t get the ending we wanted, but the ride was worth everything.”
Oklahoma entered the year with massive expectations after winning three consecutive national titles from 2021 to 2023 and reaching the WCWS again in 2024. The 2025 squad faced turnover from graduating stars and a target on their backs as perennial contenders. Yet Gasso’s team responded with heart, finishing the regular season with a 51-8 record and battling their way through regionals and super regionals to reach Oklahoma City.
While the championship game eluded them, the Sooners’ season was defined by growth. Fresh faces stepped up. Veterans became mentors. And through it all, Gasso found something even more meaningful than wins.
“I’ve coached a lot of special teams,” she said, “but this one taught me new lessons. They reminded me why I love coaching.”
Led by standout performances from sophomore pitcher Jaden Mills and senior shortstop Ava McKnight, the Sooners brought energy and composure to the diamond. McKnight, who capped her OU career with a team-leading .389 batting average, credited the program’s culture for their sustained excellence.
“Coach Gasso builds us into more than just athletes,” McKnight said. “We become leaders, sisters, and believers in each other.”
The team’s camaraderie was evident not only in their on-field play but also in how they handled adversity. A midseason slump in April tested their resolve, but they responded with a 12-game win streak that carried them into postseason form.
Now, as the Sooners turn the page, Gasso looks to the future with optimism.
“There’s sadness when a season ends, especially with seniors moving on,” she said, “but there’s also hope. This program isn’t done. We’re just getting started again.”
Though the 2025 crown belongs to another, Oklahoma’s “joyous ride” reminded fans and players alike that legacy isn’t measured by trophies alone — but by the bonds formed, the battles fought, and the belief shared.
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