Looking Back on Oklahoma's Historic Run

​The Oklahoma Sooners' 71-game win streak was finally snapped by the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns this last week. It was a sad day for Sooner Nation, but now we get to reflect on the historic run that means so much more than a bunch of wins. 

Patty Gasso should go down in history as the best coach ever bestowed upon the Earth. Gasso has led the Sooners to seven National Titles and has the best winning percentage of Division I coaches with 1,000+ games under their belt at .799 (.808 at Oklahoma) (as of March 5, 2024). Wins aside, Gasso preaches the importance of perseverance, teamwork, the pursuit of excellence, and, most importantly, faith. Her success is a testament to her ability to unite individuals to work towards a common cause. This ability is much more important than the Xs and Os, and there is nobody else on planet Earth who does this better than Patty Gasso. 

After suffering a devastating loss to Baylor early in the 2023 campaign, the Sooners went on a tear. The team ended the season on an already historic 53-game winning streak and a National Title. They also finished the season with 501 runs, making the Sooners the first D1 softball program to score over 500 runs in three consecutive seasons. 

The Sooners didn't just win 53 games in a row, they absolutely dominated their opponents. To end the 2023 season, they averaged 8.08 runs per game and 0.95 runs allowed! Jordy Bahl played a huge role for the Sooners during this run, and despite her decision to play for her home team, she will go down in history as one of the greatest to step on the mound for the Sooners. On the plate, the team finished the 2023 season with a .366 batting average and had four players above .400. 

Despite the Sooners' loss to Louisiana, there is still much to be hopeful for. If anybody has hit the panic button, pull yourself together. Softball is a sport where you will have one of those flukey losses every now and then. Sometimes, it just takes 71 games for it to happen. 

Already, they have beaten the #9, #10, and #20 team in the country. They are still the most dominating team in college softball, and I don't care what anyone says; Texas ranked #1 is bullshit, and we all know it. They did finish the last six games of the 2023 season 3-3. Luckily for Oklahoma, discussing contenders for the National Title without mentioning the Sooners is unfathomable. Who gives a shit about Texas when Oklahoma is doing Oklahoma things. 

All good things must come to an end. When we discuss the greatest streaks in sports, the Sooners' 71 wins will be right up there with John Wooden's UCLA Bruins with 88 wins, Oklahoma's very own 47 wins in football, and North Carolina Women's Soccer with 103 wins. 

We can hope that, as Oklahoma fans, Gasso, like Nick Saban, continues to coach into her seventies. Who doesn't want at least nine more seasons with Patty. With 56 games each season, it is possible for us to see Gasso win 2,000 games. Imagine the ticket prices. 

The Sooners are here to stay. One loss doesn't define the team's whole season. Like I said, softball is one of those sports where a flukey loss is statistically more common than other sports. Big XII play starts this Friday against Iowa State. A new streak begins!