The No. 3 overall seeded Oklahoma softball team hosts Mississippi State in the 2026 Norman Super Regional at Love's Field starting Friday, May 22, 2026.
The Sooners aim to secure a ninth-straight Women's College World Series appearance.
Oklahoma advanced by sweeping the Norman Regional last weekend, outscoring opponents 28-1 to remain undefeated at 13-0 all-time in NCAA postseason play at their home stadium.
Mississippi State enters its second-ever Super Regional appearance after sweeping the Eugene Regional, which included victories over host Oregon and Saint Mary's twice.
Homecoming for Bulldogs Head Coach
The series marks a homecoming for Bulldogs head coach Samantha Ricketts, who played for Oklahoma from 2005 to 2009 and served as a graduate assistant under Oklahoma head coach Patty Gasso from 2009 to 2011.
Gasso expressed her appreciation for her former player's professional development and career choices leading up to the matchup.
"It's really, really heartwarming for me to see any player who played here to go on and coach because that means maybe they saw that I can do it and have a family as well," said Gasso.
Gasso noted that Ricketts is also exploring opportunities to manage the Samoan national team for a potential Olympic bid.
"Sam is one of them.
She is also working to see if she can lead the Samoan national team, if she can lead that and get that as maybe a possibility of an Olympic bid.
I've been really proud of her growth," said Gasso.
The Oklahoma coach praised her former player's commitment to building the Mississippi State program alongside her coaching staff.
"I will tell you the one thing I appreciate about Sam is she's been extremely loyal to that program when she probably could've had maybe other positions that might've paid more," said Gasso.
"She made a home there, committed herself. She brought in really good coaches that helped bring this program for her.
That's what I love about her, she's always been extremely loyal and I think that's what she's done with Mississippi State," she added.
Pitching Matchup and Team Preparation
The Bulldogs rely on a pitching staff led by Peja Goold and Alyssa Faircloth, who present a major challenge for Oklahoma's offense.
Regarding her own pitching staff, Gasso noted a shift in momentum following a difficult game against Georgia.
"I think they are starting to be their best.
After Georgia, they were slightly embarrassed and wanted to start over, and they've been doing that and working hard, and they've shown it pretty well in the regional," said Gasso.
"So, I feel really good.
Probably the best I have felt with where we're at, just because of their mindset and their demeanor, and their confidence is really shining," she added.
The Sooners entered the postseason after winning another regular season title, which Gasso attributed to the team's weekly preparation.
"What is going on in the SEC is what I am signed up for. And that is just challenges every weekend.
And I love it and it makes us better and that's what we're looking for and that's what we got," said Gasso.
The best-of-three series schedule is as follows:
- Game 1: Friday, May 22 – No. 3 Oklahoma vs. Mississippi State, Noon CT (ESPN2, ESPN app, fubo)
- Game 2: Saturday, May 23 – Mississippi State vs. No. 3 Oklahoma, Noon CT (ESPN, ESPN app, fubo)
- Game 3*: Sunday, May 24 – No. 3 Oklahoma vs. Mississippi State, TBD (TBD, ESPN app, fubo) *if necessary
The winner of this series will advance to the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City, alongside winners from the other seven Super Regional matchups across the country.
