The Oklahoma Sooners are not in the top 25 of Softball America’s preseason rankings.

The Oklahoma Sooners Are Not in the Top 25 of Softball America’s Preseason Rankings: A Look at the Challenges and Future Outlook for the Program

For nearly two decades, the Oklahoma Sooners softball program has been one of the most dominant forces in college athletics. Under the leadership of head coach Patty Gasso, the Sooners have enjoyed a rich legacy of championships, All-Americans, and high-ranking finishes. Oklahoma’s consistent excellence has made the Sooners a regular fixture in the NCAA Tournament and a perennial powerhouse in the world of college softball. However, as the 2025 season approaches, the Sooners find themselves in an unexpected position: not included in Softball America’s preseason Top 25 rankings.

This article takes a deep dive into the current state of the Oklahoma softball program, the reasons behind its exclusion from the preseason rankings, and what the team must do to regain its standing as a national contender. From a changing roster to the challenges of rebuilding, the Sooners have plenty to address as they look to bounce back and reassert themselves as one of the top programs in the nation.

Oklahoma’s Rich Softball Tradition: A History of Success

Before delving into the challenges the Sooners currently face, it’s important to recognize just how successful the program has been in the past. Oklahoma softball has become synonymous with excellence under head coach Patty Gasso, who has been at the helm since 1995. In her time as head coach, Gasso has transformed Oklahoma into one of the most formidable programs in the NCAA, winning multiple national championships and producing an impressive list of All-American players.

The Sooners’ success has been built on a foundation of strong recruiting, top-tier pitching, and a potent offense. Oklahoma has earned a place among the elite, with Gasso’s leadership guiding the team to consistent success in the Women’s College World Series (WCWS) and a reputation for fielding competitive teams year after year. This consistent success has resulted in numerous conference titles, regional championships, and, of course, national championships, solidifying Oklahoma as a mainstay in college softball.

However, even the most successful programs face challenges. As the 2025 season looms, the Sooners are grappling with several factors that have led to their exclusion from Softball America’s Top 25 rankings.

Why the Sooners Are Not in the Top 25: Factors Contributing to the Disappearance

The Oklahoma Sooners’ absence from the Softball America preseason Top 25 is a surprising development for many who are accustomed to seeing the program ranked among the best. While there is no single explanation for the exclusion, several key factors contribute to this sudden shift in perception. These challenges stem from changes in the roster, injury issues, and other program-specific circumstances that have led to questions about the Sooners’ readiness to compete at the highest level this season.

Roster Changes and Departures

One of the main reasons Oklahoma finds itself outside of the Top 25 is the turnover in its roster. The Sooners are coming off a season in which they lost several key players to graduation or the professional ranks. For a program with as much talent as Oklahoma, losing key contributors to the NCAA transfer portal or graduation can be particularly challenging.

The most notable departures include star players such as Jocelyn Alo, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in college softball history, and Tiare Jennings, a dynamic and powerful hitter. Alo’s departure in particular left a significant void in the lineup, as she was a perennial All-American and a major offensive force for the Sooners. These types of losses are inevitable in college sports, but they still have a profound impact on a team’s ranking and expectations for the upcoming season.

Additionally, the Sooners’ depth took a hit as some key players left the program or were injured during the offseason. This shift in the roster has forced the coaching staff to reevaluate and reload, potentially causing some uncertainty about the team’s immediate future.

Injuries and Recovery

As with any team, injuries can have a significant impact on performance, and Oklahoma is no exception. In the offseason and early in the 2025 season, the Sooners have faced injury challenges that have prevented them from having their full roster available to compete. Injuries to key players—whether in the field or the pitching circle—have slowed down the team’s ability to gel as a cohesive unit.

For example, the Sooners’ pitching staff has been one of the cornerstones of their success in recent years, with standout pitchers like Giselle Juarez and Nicole May leading the charge. However, injuries to pitchers or any delays in returning from offseason rehabilitation can have a significant impact on the team’s ability to compete at the highest level. Without a healthy pitching staff, the Sooners’ chances of success could be compromised, and Softball America’s ranking reflects the uncertainty surrounding these injuries.

Moreover, Oklahoma’s offense, traditionally one of the best in the nation, has also been affected by injuries. With several key hitters either injured or recovering from surgery, the Sooners’ ability to generate runs and execute offensively has come into question.

The Transfer Portal and Recruiting Challenges

Another contributing factor to the Sooners’ exclusion from the preseason rankings is the evolving landscape of college softball recruitment and the growing role of the transfer portal. Oklahoma, like many teams, has had to adjust to the influx of transfers into the program. While the transfer portal has provided the Sooners with some talented new players, it has also presented some challenges. The addition of transfer players often leads to growing pains as the team tries to integrate new faces into established roles.

Patty Gasso and her staff have always been exceptional at recruiting top talent, but integrating transfers into the system and ensuring they mesh well with returning players is no easy task. The uncertainty of how new players will fit into the lineup and contribute to team chemistry can affect the program’s preseason ranking.

For Oklahoma, a team that is used to having consistency in its roster, the growing reliance on transfers has created some unease. While Oklahoma has undoubtedly brought in some excellent transfers, the overall uncertainty surrounding the roster composition has contributed to their absence from the Top 25 rankings.

The Path Forward: Rebuilding and Adjusting Expectations

Despite being excluded from the Softball America Top 25, it is far from the end of the road for the Oklahoma Sooners. In fact, this could be a critical moment of transformation for the program. For a team with a rich history of success, the Sooners are no strangers to adversity, and they are more than capable of responding to this challenge in a positive way.

Building Around a Strong Core of Returning Players

While the Sooners may have lost some key players, they still boast a talented core of returning players who can lead the team through this difficult period. Players like Sydney Romero, who has been a key contributor in the field, and Jordy Bahl, a strong pitcher with a bright future, will be crucial to Oklahoma’s success in the 2025 season. These experienced players provide leadership and consistency, and they will be essential in helping the Sooners adjust to new faces and expectations.

The team will need to rely on this core group of players to step up in the absence of some of their former stars. By focusing on the strengths of returning players and cultivating a renewed sense of unity and focus, Oklahoma can begin to rebuild their program and reassert themselves as a championship contender.

Developing New Talent

One of the hallmarks of Oklahoma’s success under Patty Gasso has been the program’s ability to develop new talent. Despite the losses from last season, the Sooners have a talented group of incoming freshmen and transfers who can make an immediate impact. The coaching staff will need to find a way to integrate these new players into the system, whether in the infield, outfield, or pitching circle.

Players such as Nicole May, who had an excellent showing in past seasons, will need to develop into a true leader in the pitching staff. On offense, young talent such as Jada Coleman and Grace Lyons will be counted on to fill the void left by the departures of their former teammates. These players must be given the opportunity to step into bigger roles and develop into the stars of tomorrow.

Coaching Adjustments and Adaptability

Under Patty Gasso’s leadership, Oklahoma has shown an incredible ability to adapt to the changing landscape of college softball. Gasso has continuously demonstrated an ability to adjust her coaching style and team strategy to meet the demands of new challenges. While the 2025 season may present a few more challenges, Gasso’s experience and leadership will undoubtedly play a significant role in helping the team bounce back.

The coaching staff will also have to make strategic decisions about how to maximize the roster’s potential and adjust to the changing dynamics of the season. Whether it is fine-tuning the batting lineup or developing new pitching strategies, Gasso’s coaching acumen will be key to Oklahoma’s resurgence.