Already a dynasty in collegiate softball, the Sooners have now added another historic achievement to their legacy—becoming the first-ever No. 1 ranked team in the Softball America Top 25, a new ranking system introduced this season to offer a more analytics-driven, comprehensive view of the sport. For Oklahoma, it’s less a surprise and more a formality, a coronation following a season of unrelenting dominance on the diamond.
This honor not only reflects the Sooners’ current success but solidifies their position as the gold standard in NCAA softball. Let’s explore how Patty Gasso’s squad achieved this feat, what it means for the program, and how it reshapes the national landscape of the sport.
For Oklahoma softball, 2025 has been a showcase of precision, power, and poise.
The Sooners didn’t just win games—they controlled them. Sporting an overall record of 48-2, with a perfect conference slate in the Big 12, Oklahoma dismantled top-ranked opponents, outscored challengers by double digits regularly, and flashed a defense that made run production nearly impossible for even elite programs.
Through mid-May, the Sooners had:
21 shutouts, the most in the nation.
A team ERA below 1.20, spearheaded by a fearsome pitching rotation.
Over 90 home runs, including clutch bombs in late innings.
A team batting average north of .340.
They swept ranked opponents, humbled fierce rivals like Texas and Oklahoma State, and finished the regular season with the swagger of a team not just aiming for a national championship—but expecting it.
The Softball America ranking came not just because Oklahoma was winning, but because of how they were winning. The new system, which incorporates player performance, strength of schedule, and game impact metrics, made it mathematically impossible to ignore the Sooners.
When the history of college softball is written, Patty Gasso will have her own chapter—if not the cover.
The Sooners’ longtime head coach, now in her 30th season, has turned Norman, Oklahoma into the epicenter of the sport. Under her guidance, Oklahoma has now captured six national championships, with an eye on a seventh this June. Gasso’s leadership is rooted in discipline, preparation, and the freedom for players to be themselves on and off the field.
“This team plays with joy and fearlessness,” Gasso recently said. “They’ve earned every bit of this recognition.”
Gasso’s fingerprints are all over Oklahoma’s historic rise to the top of the Softball America Top 25. Her recruiting acumen, development of elite pitchers and hitters, and knack for peaking at the right time have created a culture where success is expected, not hoped for.
Few teams can match the offensive firepower of the 2025 Oklahoma squad.
From top to bottom, the lineup features players with All-American credentials, home-run capability, and the patience to draw walks when needed. Leading the charge is Jayda Coleman, whose blend of speed and power has made her a nightmare for pitchers. She’s batting .410 with 17 homers and 32 stolen bases, setting the tone from the leadoff spot.
Behind her, Tiare Jennings and Kinzie Hansen have formed one of the most dangerous middle-of-the-order tandems in recent memory. Jennings, a three-time All-American, is batting .395 with 56 RBIs, while Hansen has chipped in with 15 home runs and stellar play behind the plate.
The real X-factor, however, might be freshman sensation Addyson Fisher, who has injected new energy into an already loaded roster. Her walk-off grand slam against UCLA in March was an early season turning point that reminded the nation just how deep Oklahoma’s roster is.
It’s an offense that leads the nation in slugging percentage and rarely goes cold. When the Sooners are at the plate, every pitch has the potential to leave the yard.
As terrifying as Oklahoma’s bats are, their pitching may be even more formidable.
The rotation is anchored by Nicole May, whose sub-1.00 ERA and deceptive delivery have frustrated hitters all year. Her ability to locate pitches and change speeds is unmatched, and she’s often the go-to arm in high-leverage situations.
Backing her up is Jordy Bahl, a flame-throwing right-hander with devastating movement and a rising fastball that tops 70 mph. Bahl has racked up over 200 strikeouts and flirted with multiple no-hitters throughout the season.
Also crucial to the pitching mix is Kelly Maxwell, the graduate transfer from Oklahoma State. Maxwell’s presence gives Oklahoma one of the most experienced and versatile rotations in the country. Her mastery of the changeup and ability to eat innings have allowed the staff to stay fresh deep into the season.
Combined, the trio has made opposing lineups look helpless. They’ve limited opponents to a team batting average below .190 and have allowed only three home runs in conference play. In softball, dominant pitching often separates champions from contenders—and Oklahoma has more than enough to carry them through Oklahoma City.
