NewsOK.com · Jan 30, 2018
Sooner softball captures top preseason ranking
NORMAN -- Following its national championship season, the Oklahoma softball team is opening the year on top.
For the second year in a row, the Sooners are No. 1 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25.
Coach Patty Gasso returns a loaded roster including ace pitchers Paige Parker and Paige Lowary. The Sooners lost just one starter from the national championship team in outfielder Macey Hatfield.
Florida, the national runner-up, opens the season at No. 2 in the poll. Oregon, UCLA, Washington, Florida State, Arizona, LSU, Texas A&M and Alabama round out the rest of the top 10. No. 12 Baylor and No. 21 Oklahoma State are the only other Big 12 programs ranked in the preseason poll.