Champs: OU Softball wins SEC regular season championship

In their first season in the SEC, the Oklahoma Sooners have clinched the regular season championship, securing the top seed in next week’s conference tournament. The title became official after Tennessee defeated Texas A&M 5-1 on Friday, locking OU into the No. 1 spot before even taking the field.

The Sooners improved to 43-5 overall and 17-5 in SEC play after Thursday’s dramatic 6-5 extra-innings win over Florida, with Sam Landry throwing 144 pitches and Abby Dayton delivering the game-winning RBI single.

Patty Gasso

Oklahoma, picked third in the SEC preseason poll, has now won 16 regular season conference titles and is eyeing its 10th tournament crown. Patty Gasso’s squad entered the weekend ranked No. 3 in RPI, and wins over No. 2 Florida could boost their case for the NCAA Tournament’s top overall seed. For Patty Gasso, this championship adds another ring to an already crowded hand. An SEC Championship, after guiding OU to 11 consecutive Big 12 regular season titles at one point.

The Sooners have now won seven straight SEC games and will likely host the Regional and Super Regional action at Love’s Field.

Florida Series

Top-ranked Oklahoma (43-5, 17-5 SEC) fought off No. 7/9 Florida (41-13, 12-10 SEC) in a 6-5 extra-innings win Thursday night.

Abigale Dayton delivered the game-winning RBI single in the ninth — her third hit and second RBI of the game — capping a clutch performance that included a 13-pitch RBI double earlier. Ella Parker and Kasidi Pickering each homered, and Tia Milloy and Hannah Coor added key RBIs in a four-run fifth inning that answered Florida’s brief 3-2 lead.

Oklahoma and Florida will square off in game two of their three-game series on Friday, May 2, at 6 p.m. CT, airing live on SEC Network. Saturday's game has moved to ESPN