Notepad: Sooners really feel just like the ‘underdog’ for SEC Event

[ad_1] Notepad: Sooners really feel just like the 'underdog' for SEC Event

NORMAN — The Sooners clinched the SEC common season championship final weekend earlier than they performed their remaining two video games in opposition to Florida.

However OU coach Patty Gasso actually does not see her group as the favourite heading into the convention event this week.

Whereas the Sooners are the No. 1 seed for the SEC Event, they head to Athens, Georgia with out a ton of momentum. They're ranked fifth in RPI rankings behind 4 SEC groups; they're ranked at No. 3 by D1 Softball (behind two SEC groups) and at No. 4 by Softball America. Plus, the Sooners misplaced three of their eight sequence in opposition to SEC opponents, together with final weekend at Florida.

"I feel we really feel like we're going into the event like an underdog, and it feels good to be on that aspect of issues," Gasso stated. "So I am trying ahead to this."

The Sooners have a bye via the primary two rounds and can start their event run at 10 a.m. Thursday within the quarterfinals.

Here is a have a look at the event schedule and some notes:

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE Thursday: No. 1 Sooners vs. Mississippi State/LSU, 10 a.m. (SECN)

Friday semifinals (if OU wins): Sooners vs. Tennessee/Arkansas/Georgia, 3 p.m. (ESPN2)

Saturday finals (if OU wins): 4 p.m. ESPN

CHANGE OF SCENERY This would be the Sooners' first postseason journey exterior the OKC metro in years.

With Devon Park serving because the host web site for each the Large 12 Event and the Girls's School World Collection, the Sooners are used to staying house via Might and June. However the SEC Event is an on-campus occasion that rotates to all faculties. This yr's event is held at Georgia, and the host websites have been decided via 2029.

It is actually a unique routine for the Sooners.

“It is the novelty issue, but it surely's additionally a wow issue," Gasso stated. "It is no offense in any respect. And it is one factor, taking part in at Devon Park is a giant benefit for anyone that will get that chance. If you are going to get to the World Collection, you get to really feel it. However the cameras are all over the place. ESPN is exhibiting this across the clock. If you happen to love SEC softball, then you definitely're in for a deal with since you get to observe each recreation on their community. I feel that is a giant deal.

Is there any probability the SEC Event is held at Devon Park?

"Completely not. No shot," Gasso joked. "They're already complaining that we're taking part in there within the first place for the World Collection. Nevertheless it's a giant deal for campuses to get this chance. I feel our alternative -- I will be lengthy lengthy passed by then. So hopefully I will nonetheless be alive to see it, witness it... Devon Park is sensible. However to not them. However it's an pleasure for positive. You possibly can really feel it about completely different areas and you may really feel that buzz."

BOUNCING BACK The Sooners actually did not put their greatest foot ahead in opposition to the Gators. It was an uncommon weekend, with the Sooners clinching the SEC common season title earlier than Recreation 2 even started.

Nonetheless, the Sooners cannot use that as an excuse.

"This group could be very desirous to play and to be at that degree the place we have now plenty of competitors," Nelly McEnroe-Marinas stated. " The SEC is a tough convention, however particularly going into the SEC event, we're almost definitely going to see groups that we have now confronted earlier than. So I really feel prefer it's simply us getting an opportunity to see them once more, and you understand how that goes. However we're simply excited to face them once more and reply."

Here is what Gasso needed to say about clinching the SEC championship final weekend in the course of the Florida sequence.

"I didn't like that. And the ladies from ESPN are making a giant deal. And I’m pretending like I’m not listening to them, like what? As a result of it’s simple – I’m not saying our group did this. Florida was prepared. There are plenty of the explanation why Florida has been ready for us. One, due to the best way we ended their season final yr. Two, they've plenty of excellent seniors. Three, they'd a fully packed home. They have been ready for this. We knew it, but it surely wasn’t like we all know it so let’s not care.

"We have been virtually caring an excessive amount of. And personally? I actually needed to get yet another of these video games so lets say we gained the sequence. I don’t know, why do I really feel that approach? We gained it. We outright gained it. If we didn’t outright win it, they wouldn’t have introduced it. I’m like, what am I stressing over? Like we needed to show one thing extra. You possibly can have a look at us dropping just a few sequence. What you’re not speaking about are the big-time sequence that we swept that occurred early within the season. I’m simply so mad at myself for having that mentality of pretending we don’t hear it or realize it. We got here again right here and had a giant celebration over it as a result of we must always."