The teams will play at 5 p.m. Friday at Love’s Field.

Boston is in the Norman Regional for the second consecutive season and the third time in the last seven tournaments.

The Terriers were the No. 3 seed last year and didn’t face the Sooners after falling to Oregon in the opener, beating Cleveland State in an elimination game and then falling to the Ducks once again.

The Sooners have won their regional in 14 consecutive tournaments. They have won 23 consecutive regional and super regional games. OU hasn’t lost its NCAA Tournament opener since 2017.

While the Sooners (45-7, 17-7 SEC) are the heavy favorites in their regional, the Norman Regional is the only regional where the teams seeded 2-4 have each made the tournament in three (or more) consecutive seasons.

The only other regional without a team that missed the 2024 tournament is Clemson’s.

Here’s a look at the three other teams in the Norman Regional:

Record: 35-19 (11-13 ACC)
NCAA Tournament history: 106-72 overall, 36th appearance
Leading hitter: Cal has a balanced offensive attack but junior infielder Tianna Bell gets the edge. Bell is hitting .354 with a team-high 15 home runs, 53 RBIs and a 1.100 OPS.
Leading pitcher: Freshman Miranda De Nava is 12-5 with a 3.29 ERA in 93 ⅔ innings. She’s thrown seven complete games and struck out 62.
OU’s all-time record vs. Bears: 8-11 (2-2 in Norman)
Last meeting: 16-3 Sooners win, May 21, 2023
Short hops: Cal is in a regional for the third consecutive season. The Bears went 1-2 last season in the Baton Rouge Regional, falling to Southern Illinois twice. In 2023, they fell to the Sooners in the Norman Regional final. … Acacia Anders’ 18 doubles are tied for 12th nationally. … The Bears have four pitchers who have thrown between 62 ⅓ and 93 ⅔ innings.

No. 3 Omaha Mavericks
Record: 39-11 (14-4 Summit League)
NCAA Tournament history: 3-4 overall, third appearance
Leading hitter: Senior infielder Sydney Thomason leads the Mavericks in batting average (.368), hits (56), doubles (17), home runs (13), RBIs (58) and walks (25).
Leading pitcher: Sophomore Maddia Groff is 26-5 with a 1.62 ERA, 13th best in Division I. Groff’s 238 strikeouts are No. 8 nationally and she’s thrown 18 complete games.
OU’s all-time record vs. Mavericks: 4-0 (3-0 in Norman)
Last meeting: 8-0 Sooners win, March 10, 2017
Short hops: The Mavericks are in the tournament for the third consecutive season. They won their first two games last season in the Columbia Regional before host Missouri knocked them off in back-to-back games to end Omaha’s season. … Omaha’s 3.68 strikeout-to-walk ratio is No. 7 nationally. … Shortstop Maggie O’Brien was named the Summit League Defensive Player of the Year. She had just one error during conference play. Omaha’s .980 fielding percentage is fifth-best in the country. … The Mavericks bounced back from losing by run rule to South Dakota in the Summit League Tournament to beat the Coyotes 4-2 in the if-necessary game to secure the regional spot.

No. 4 Boston Terriers
Record: 39-17 (14-4 Patriot League)
NCAA Tournament history: 9-26 overall, 14th appearance
Leading hitter: Junior infielder Brooke Deppiesse leads the Terriers with a .419 batting average, 56 runs scored and a 1.167 OPS. She has struck out just 10 times this season.
Leading pitcher: Junior right-hander Kasey Ricard is 26-10 with a 1.97 ERA and 227 strikeouts in 237 2/3 innings pitched this season. Her win total is tied for third in the country and she’s second nationally in innings pitched.
OU’s all-time record vs. Terriers: 4-2 (1-0 in Norman)
Last meeting: 9-0 Sooners win, May 18, 2018
Short hops: Deppiesse was named the Patriot League’s Defensive Player of the Year. … Boston was 0-4 against SEC opponents this season, falling twice each to South Carolina and Kentucky. Three of the four games were run-rule defeats. … The Terriers are in the Norman Regional for the second consecutive season and for the third time since 2018. … Sophomore outfielder Sophie Naivar is a product of Barbers Hill High in Mont Belvieu, Texas — the same high school that produced OU pitcher Sam Landry. … Boston is 0-3 against Cal and 1-0 against Omaha all time.

As one of the most dominant programs in college softball history, Oklahoma Sooners softball has established itself as a near-impenetrable force in recent years. With multiple national championships, record-breaking seasons, and a roster stocked with top-tier talent, the Sooners are perennial favorites to advance deep into the NCAA Tournament. But with the Norman Regional serving as the starting point, many fans and analysts are asking: Is there anyone who can stop Oklahoma early in this year’s postseason? To answer this, we need to examine the Norman Regional opponents, analyze their strengths and weaknesses, and assess whether the Sooners can be halted before reaching the super regional stage.

### Oklahoma Softball: A Dynasty in the Making

Before diving into the opponents, it’s essential to understand Oklahoma’s recent dominance. Coached by Patty Gasso, the Sooners have become a powerhouse, winning multiple national titles, including in 2021 and 2022, and consistently ranking among the top teams in the country. Their roster boasts top-ranked pitchers, explosive hitters, and a strategic approach that combines power and speed.

Oklahoma’s offensive firepower, led by stars like Grace Lyons, Jayda Coleman, and Kinsey Hansen, is complemented by a formidable pitching staff featuring the likes of Jordy Bahl and Nicole May. Their aggressive base running, disciplined hitting, and tactical gameplay make them a nearly unstoppable force when firing on all cylinders.

However, in the postseason, every team has a shot—if they can exploit weaknesses, capitalize on opportunities, and execute their game plan. The question remains: who among their Norman Regional opponents has the potential to do just that?

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### The Norman Regional Field: Who Are the Opponents?

The NCAA Tournament’s regional format typically features four teams competing in a double-elimination format. For the Norman Regional, the field includes:

1. **Oklahoma Sooners (Host and No. 1 seed)**
2. **Oregon Ducks**
3. **North Texas Mean Green**
4. **Kansas State Wildcats**

Each opponent presents unique challenges, and examining their capabilities offers insight into whether they can upset the odds and knock Oklahoma out early.

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### Oregon Ducks: A Resilient and Skilled Challenger

**Overview:** The Oregon Ducks have been a formidable team all season, boasting a balanced lineup of power hitters and dynamic pitchers. Under coach Melyssa Lombardi, they have built a program that emphasizes athleticism and strategic play.

**Strengths:**

– **Power Hitting:** Oregon’s lineup includes players like Jasmine Sievers and Deajah Stevens, who can change the game with home runs and clutch hits.
– **Strong Pitching:** Their pitching staff, featuring seasoned arms like Megan Kleist, can challenge Oklahoma’s hitters if they find their rhythm.
– **Defensive Solidity:** Oregon plays solid defense, minimizing errors and keeping games close.

**Weaknesses:**

– **Consistency:** The Ducks have shown flashes of brilliance but sometimes struggle with consistency, especially against high-caliber opponents.
– **Experience in Big Moments:** While talented, they lack recent postseason experience compared to Oklahoma’s seasoned squad.

**Can Oregon Upset Oklahoma?**
Oregon certainly has the talent to challenge Oklahoma, especially if their pitchers can neutralize the Sooners’ power hitters and they execute offensively. Their ability to capitalize on mistakes and keep the game close is critical. However, Oklahoma’s offensive depth and pitching resilience have proven difficult for most teams to overcome. An Oregon upset would require a perfect game from their pitchers and an explosive offensive performance—possible but unlikely given Oklahoma’s recent dominance.

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### North Texas Mean Green: The Underdog with Potential

**Overview:** North Texas enters the NCAA Tournament with a gritty, scrappy approach. They are known for their disciplined play and resilient attitude, often upsetting higher-ranked opponents through strategic execution.

**Strengths:**

– **Defensive Discipline:** North Texas plays tight defense, reducing Oklahoma’s scoring opportunities.
– **Plate Discipline:** Their hitters take advantage of mistakes and can work counts to get on base.
– **Competitive Spirit:** North Texas fights until the last out, often rallying to stay competitive.

**Weaknesses:**

– **Talent Gap:** They lack the depth and star power of Oklahoma, Oregon, or Kansas State.
– **Pitching Limitations:** Their pitching staff, while resilient, does not match the firepower of the Sooners’ staff.
– **Offensive Power:** Their offense tends to rely on small-ball tactics rather than explosive hitting.

**Can North Texas Pull the Upset?**
While North Texas’s disciplined approach can frustrate Oklahoma temporarily, the talent gap makes an early upset unlikely. Oklahoma’s offensive firepower and pitching depth are difficult for smaller programs to handle over multiple games. However, if North Texas can capitalize on defensive errors and keep the game low-scoring, they might stretch Oklahoma but still face an uphill battle to win the regional.

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### Kansas State Wildcats: The Middle-Seed Contender

**Overview:** Kansas State has been a competitive team this season, with a balanced roster capable of making noise in the postseason. Under coach Megan Columbia, they have emphasized aggressive play and timely hitting.

**Strengths:**

– **Experienced Lineup:** K-State’s players have postseason experience and can perform under pressure.
– **Aggressive Base Running:** They utilize speed to put pressure on defenses.
– **Solid Pitching:** Their pitching staff can challenge Oklahoma’s hitters if they execute well.

**Weaknesses:**

– **Inconsistency:** Similar to Oregon, they can struggle with consistency, especially against top-tier teams.
– **Depth:** While talented, their bench and overall roster depth are limited compared to Oklahoma.

**Can Kansas State Upset Oklahoma?**
Kansas State’s balanced approach and experience make them a potential sleeper. If their pitchers can contain Oklahoma’s power hitters and their offense can capitalize on mistakes, they could pull an upset. However, Oklahoma’s offensive prowess and strategic depth usually give them the edge. The Wildcats will need to play near-perfect baseball to advance.

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### Analyzing the Possibility of an Early Oklahoma Exit

**Is an Upset Likely?**
Given Oklahoma’s recent dominance, the likelihood of an early exit is slim but not impossible. Baseball and softball are unpredictable sports, where a single bad inning or a hot opponent can lead to an upset. Historically, top-seeded teams have occasionally been knocked out early, often due to overconfidence, clutch performances by underdogs, or simply running into a hot pitcher.

**Key Factors for an Oklahoma Early Exit:**

– **Pitching Performance:** Oklahoma’s success hinges on their pitchers shutting down opponents. An off day or facing a hot pitcher like Oregon’s Kleist or Kansas State’s top arm could spell trouble.
– **Defensive Errors:** Mistakes behind the plate or in the field could give underdog teams extra opportunities.
– **Clutch Hitting by Opponents:** Capitalizing on Oklahoma’s mistakes or getting timely hits is essential.
– **Overconfidence or Complacency:** Any signs of complacency could open the door for an upset.

**Can Oklahoma Be Stopped?**
While they are the favorites, no team is invincible. If an opponent can execute their game plan flawlessly, exploit weaknesses, and perhaps get some breaks, Oklahoma’s tournament run could be cut short. However, given their depth, experience, and recent form, such an upset would require exceptional circumstances.

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### The Reality of College Softball Postseason

In college softball, Cinderella stories are rare but not unheard of. Smaller programs, with disciplined gameplay and timely hitting, have occasionally upset top seeds. The 2018 regional where Oklahoma State defeated Oklahoma in the NCAA Tournament is a reminder that even powerhouse teams can be vulnerable if circumstances align.

However, Oklahoma’s current roster and recent performances suggest they are well-equipped to handle regional challenges. Their combination of pitching depth, explosive offense, and postseason experience make them formidable opponents.

**Historical Trends:**
Top seeds often thrive in regional play, but upsets do happen. The key is execution—on any given day, an underdog can seize victory. That’s the beauty and unpredictability of postseason softball.

While theoretically, any team could upset Oklahoma if they play their best game and Oklahoma falters, realistically, the odds favor the Sooners continuing their postseason journey. Oregon’s talent and experience make them the biggest threat, but Oklahoma’s depth and resilience give them an edge. North Texas’s discipline and Kansas State’s experience could produce a surprise, but Oklahoma’s overall strength and consistency are hard to beat.

In the end, the question isn’t just about whether anyone can stop Oklahoma early—it’s about which team can rise to the challenge on that day, execute their game plan, and seize the moment. The NCAA Tournament’s beauty lies in its unpredictability, and while Oklahoma remains the favorite, underdogs will always have a shot. Fans will be eagerly watching the Norman Regional, hoping for the drama and surprises that make college softball postseason so compelling.