While the main focus is on Oklahoma football's transition to the SEC, this seismic conference realignment move will have an impact across all college sports. Softball is one such entity that will be drastically altered due to the arrival of the dynastic Sooners.
Alabama softball head coach Patrick Murphy is doing what he can to prepare the reigning Women's College World Series champions for the exciting atmosphere that awaits them.
“It's just going to be a lot,” 2012 champ Murphy said ahead of the Crimson Tide's World Series battle against Stanford on Friday night, via FanNation's John E. Hoover. “It's the grind of the SEC. Every weekend is like a World Series matchup. And you play three games, and it is tiring. And it is mentally exhausting.”
The gauntlet should not be a huge problem for the top-seeded Sooners, who made history with a dominant 2023 season. Oklahoma is nearly perfect at 57-1 and went undefeated in Big 12 play. The added competition should be good for the sport, the program and obviously the juggernaut that is the SEC.
Before they officially square off with Alabama softball and the rest that the league has to offer in 2024, Coach Patty Gasso and company are determined to leave the Big 12 with a grand parting gift- Oklahoma's third-straight national title, and fifth in the last eight years. Unsurprisingly, the team started its quest triumphantly, with a 2-0 win over No. 9 Stanford. Its next test comes Saturday afternoon against Tennessee.
With one loss already, No. 4 Alabama is fighting for its life. A potential clash with the Sooners would surely draw plenty of eyeballs to the 2023 Women's College World Series, and be a nice appetizer for what should be an intense rivalry starting next year.
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