NORMAN — Patty Gasso doesn’t need to sell what’s waiting this weekend in Austin.
She’s been there. She’s felt it. And she knows exactly what her team is walking into at Red & Charline McCombs Field.
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No. 2-ranked Oklahoma softball heads to face No. 4 Texas — the defending national champions — in a three-game series that already feels like late May or early June. In recent years, this matchup has doubled as a preview of the Women’s College World Series.
So this week, the Sooners have practiced accordingly with artificial crowd noise in order to create extra chaos and try to simulate what’s ahead.
“This is really important for me to see how tough we are, because this is not an easy environment,” Gasso said. “This will be the toughest place that we have played. We played at LSU. This is different.”
More: SEC softball power rankings: Alabama takes over top spot after toppling Texas
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Kendall Wells ties NCAA freshman HR record as OU softball beats Kentucky, see top photos
Oklahoma’s Kendall Wells (1) hits her 30th home run of the year during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love’s Field in Norman, Okla. Saturday April 4, 2026. Wells tied the freshman home run season record.
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Kendall Wells ties NCAA freshman HR record as OU softball beats Kentucky, see top photos
Oklahoma’s Kendall Wells (1) hits her 30th home run of the year during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love’s Field in Norman, Okla. Saturday April 4, 2026. Wells tied the freshman home run season record.
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Kendall Wells ties NCAA freshman HR record as OU softball beats Kentucky, see top photos
Oklahoma head coach Patty Gasso high fives Oklahoma’s Kendall Wells (1) after she hit her 30th home run of the year during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love’s Field in Norman, Okla. Saturday April 4, 2026. Wells tied the freshman home run season record.
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Kendall Wells ties NCAA freshman HR record as OU softball beats Kentucky, see top photos
Oklahoma’s Kendall Wells (1) celebrates her 30th home run of the year during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love’s Field in Norman, Okla. Saturday April 4, 2026. Wells tied the freshman home run season record.
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Kendall Wells ties NCAA freshman HR record as OU softball beats Kentucky, see top photos
Oklahoma’s Kendall Wells (1) hits her 30th home run of the year during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love’s Field in Norman, Okla. Saturday April 4, 2026. Wells tied the freshman home run season record.
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Kendall Wells ties NCAA freshman HR record as OU softball beats Kentucky, see top photos
Oklahoma’s Abby Dayton (16) celebrates after Kasidi Pickering (7) hit a grand slam during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love’s Field in Norman, Okla. Saturday April 4, 2026.
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Kendall Wells ties NCAA freshman HR record as OU softball beats Kentucky, see top photos
Oklahoma celebrates the grand slam of Kasidi Pickering (7) during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love’s Field in Norman, Okla. Saturday April 4, 2026.
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Kendall Wells ties NCAA freshman HR record as OU softball beats Kentucky, see top photos
Oklahoma celebrates the grand slam of Kasidi Pickering (7) during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love’s Field in Norman, Okla. Saturday April 4, 2026.
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Kendall Wells ties NCAA freshman HR record as OU softball beats Kentucky, see top photos
Oklahoma’s Sydney Berzon (29) throws a pitch during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love’s Field in Norman, Okla. Saturday April 4, 2026.
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Kendall Wells ties NCAA freshman HR record as OU softball beats Kentucky, see top photos
Oklahoma’s Sydney Berzon (29) throws a pitch during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love’s Field in Norman, Okla. Saturday April 4, 2026.
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Kendall Wells ties NCAA freshman HR record as OU softball beats Kentucky, see top photos
Oklahoma assistant coach JT Gasso talks to the team during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love’s Field in Norman, Okla. Saturday April 4, 2026.
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Kendall Wells ties NCAA freshman HR record as OU softball beats Kentucky, see top photos
Oklahoma’s Ailana Agbayani (50) throws to first during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love’s Field in Norman, Okla. Saturday April 4, 2026.
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Kendall Wells ties NCAA freshman HR record as OU softball beats Kentucky, see top photos
Oklahoma’s Ella Parker (5) watches her home run ball during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love’s Field in Norman, Okla. Saturday April 4, 2026.
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Kendall Wells ties NCAA freshman HR record as OU softball beats Kentucky, see top photos
Oklahoma celebrates the home run of Ella Parker (5) during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love’s Field in Norman, Okla. Saturday April 4, 2026.
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Kendall Wells ties NCAA freshman HR record as OU softball beats Kentucky, see top photos
Oklahoma celebrates the home run of Ella Parker (5) during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love’s Field in Norman, Okla. Saturday April 4, 2026.
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Kendall Wells ties NCAA freshman HR record as OU softball beats Kentucky, see top photos
Oklahoma’s Ailana Agbayani (50) hits during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love’s Field in Norman, Okla. Saturday April 4, 2026.
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Kendall Wells ties NCAA freshman HR record as OU softball beats Kentucky, see top photos
Oklahoma’s Kai Minor (22) slides into second for a double at Kentucky’s Madyson Clark (7) takes the throw during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love’s Field in Norman, Okla. Saturday April 4, 2026.
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Kendall Wells ties NCAA freshman HR record as OU softball beats Kentucky, see top photos
Oklahoma’s Kai Minor (22) slides into second for a double at Kentucky’s Madyson Clark (7) takes the throw during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love’s Field in Norman, Okla. Saturday April 4, 2026.
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Kendall Wells ties NCAA freshman HR record as OU softball beats Kentucky, see top photos
Oklahoma’s Kai Minor (22) celebrates a double next to Kentucky’s Madyson Clark (7) during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love’s Field in Norman, Okla. Saturday April 4, 2026.
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Kendall Wells ties NCAA freshman HR record as OU softball beats Kentucky, see top photos
during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love’s Field in Norman, Okla. Saturday April 4, 2026.
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Kendall Wells ties NCAA freshman HR record as OU softball beats Kentucky, see top photos
during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love’s Field in Norman, Okla. Saturday April 4, 2026.
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Kendall Wells ties NCAA freshman HR record as OU softball beats Kentucky, see top photos
during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love’s Field in Norman, Okla. Saturday April 4, 2026.
OU already passed one road test in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, taking two of three at LSU in a series that taught its young core valuable lessons.
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“It really helped us,” Gasso said. “There were times when I could see we were getting a little rattled and then you see them settle in.”
Only a few Sooners on the roster have played in Austin before. The rest will be seeing it — and hearing it — for the first time. Gasso’s message is to embrace it.
“I just need these players to go in fearless,” she said. “It’s a rivalry. But they’ve got to go in being tough.”
OU will arrive with momentum.
The Sooners’ pitching staff is playing its best softball of the season and the lineup is surging behind a mix of youth and experience. Freshmen Kai Minor and Kendall Wells have had elite success at the plate, while veterans Ella Parker and Kasidi Pickering continue to produce.
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“This week, we know it’s going to be a very big matchup,” Parker said. “We know that the environment we’re going into is going to be almost like a World Series feel.”
More: OU softball’s pitching staff is peaking at right time entering Texas series
Texas starting pitcher Teagan Kavan (17) pitches to Oklahoma infielder Nelly McEnroe-Marinas (2) in the second inning during a softball game between UCLA and Oregon at the Women’s College World Series at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, on Saturday, May 31, 2025.
This weekend’s matchup sells itself.
Longhorns ace Teagan Kavan vs. OU ace Audrey Lowry. The star power Wells brings. The reigning champs against the sport’s modern dynasty.
But inside the Sooners’ dugout, Gasso has stripped it down to something simpler. Noise.
Or more specifically, how her team handles it and creates its own. On Wednesday, she challenged the Sooners to be the louder side, even on the road. To let the moment fuel them instead of speed them up.
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“Would you rather play in sounds — whether they’re for you or against you — or just play with no sounds around you?” Gasso said. “Adrenaline is in that game for both sides. So can we contain ourselves? Can we stay focused?
“If we make a mistake, we’ve got to be able to rebound quickly and not let it simmer.”
The way Gasso sees it, the path forward runs through Austin.
“They know the importance of this weekend,” she said. “The road to an SEC championship is going through Austin and we have to have everybody on board.”
More: Super 16 college softball rankings: NiJaree Canady, Texas Tech move take over at No. 1
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Cat Osterman, Texas softball 4-time All-American, former Team USA pitcher, AUSL Volts GM
Texas’ Cat Osterman pitches during the college softball game between Texas and Arizona State in the first session of the Women’s College World Series at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Thursday, June 1, 2006. Osterman set a record with 18 strikeouts in a seven-inning game. Texas won, 2-0. By Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
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Cat Osterman, Texas softball 4-time All-American, former Team USA pitcher, AUSL Volts GM
Texas’ Cat Osterman pitches during the college softball game between Texas and Arizona State in the first session of the Women’s College World Series at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Thursday, June 1, 2006. Osterman set a record with 18 strikeouts in a seven-inning game. Texas won, 2-0. By Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
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Cat Osterman, Texas softball 4-time All-American, former Team USA pitcher, AUSL Volts GM
Apr 14, 2008; Chicago, IL, USA; USA softball Olympics pitcher Cat Osterman poses during a portrait session at the USOC Olympic Summit. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
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Cat Osterman, Texas softball 4-time All-American, former Team USA pitcher, AUSL Volts GM
Cat Osterman of the University of Texas signals after the second out of the inning against Arizona State during the NCAA Women’s College World Series at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, June 1, 2006. By Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
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Cat Osterman, Texas softball 4-time All-American, former Team USA pitcher, AUSL Volts GM
Cat Osterman and her Texas teammates were among the last players to wear shorts in the Women’s College World Series. The Longhorns did in 2003 and 2005, but when they returned in 2006, it was all pants. But Osterman, now a pitcher for Team USA, is still an ardent supporter of softball players wearing shorts.
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Cat Osterman, Texas softball 4-time All-American, former Team USA pitcher, AUSL Volts GM
University of Texas’ Cat Osterman (8) pitches against Arizona during their college softball game in the third session of the NCAA Women’s College World Series at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Friday, June 2, 2006. Arizona won, 2-0. By Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
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Cat Osterman, Texas softball 4-time All-American, former Team USA pitcher, AUSL Volts GM
University of Texas’ Cat Osterman watches Alicia Hollowell pitch for Arizona in the top of the seventh inning after Texas gave up two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning during the college softball game between Texas and Arizona in the third session of the NCAA Women’s College World Series at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Friday, June 2, 2006. Arizona won, 2-0. By Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
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Cat Osterman, Texas softball 4-time All-American, former Team USA pitcher, AUSL Volts GM
Cat Osterman of the University of Texas pitches against Arizona State during the NCAA Women’s College World Series at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, June 1, 2006. By Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
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Cat Osterman, Texas softball 4-time All-American, former Team USA pitcher, AUSL Volts GM
CHULA VISTA, CA – SEPTEMBER 16: (L-R) The starting pitchers for the USA Women’s Softball Team at the Greece Olympics Lisa Fernandez, Cat Osterman, Jennie Finch, and Lori Harrigan pose for a portrait during the USA Women’s Softball Media Summit on September 16, 2003 at the Arco Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
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Cat Osterman, Texas softball 4-time All-American, former Team USA pitcher, AUSL Volts GM
USA’s Cat Osterman pitches in the first inning during the World Cup of Softball game between USA and Japan at ASA Softball Stadium in Oklahoma City, Monday, July 16, 2007. By Matt Strasen, The Oklahoman
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Cat Osterman, Texas softball 4-time All-American, former Team USA pitcher, AUSL Volts GM
Cat Osterman holds up the World Cup following the World Cup of Softball game between USA and Japan at ASA Softball Stadium in Oklahoma City, Monday, July 16, 2007. USA won 3-0. By Matt Strasen, The Oklahoman
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Cat Osterman, Texas softball 4-time All-American, former Team USA pitcher, AUSL Volts GM
USA’s Cat Osterman throws a pitch during a softball game between USA softball and USSSA Pride at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Friday, June 4, 2021.
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Cat Osterman, Texas softball 4-time All-American, former Team USA pitcher, AUSL Volts GM
USA’s Cat Osterman pitches in the first inning during the World Cup of Softball game between USA and Japan at ASA Softball Stadium in Oklahoma City, Monday, July 16, 2007. By Matt Strasen, The Oklahoman
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Cat Osterman, Texas softball 4-time All-American, former Team USA pitcher, AUSL Volts GM
From left, Lovie Jung, Cat Osterman, Vicky Galindo and Laura Berg celebrate following the World Cup of Softball game between USA and Japan at ASA Softball Stadium in Oklahoma City, Monday, July 16, 2007. USA won 3-0. By Matt Strasen, The Oklahoman
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Cat Osterman, Texas softball 4-time All-American, former Team USA pitcher, AUSL Volts GM
USA’s Aubree Munro talks with Cat Osterman during a softball game between USA softball and USSSA Pride at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Friday, June 4, 2021.
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Cat Osterman, Texas softball 4-time All-American, former Team USA pitcher, AUSL Volts GM
USA’s Cat Osterman waves to the crowd following a softball game between USA softball and USSSA Pride at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Friday, June 4, 2021.
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Cat Osterman, Texas softball 4-time All-American, former Team USA pitcher, AUSL Volts GM
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 22: Softball player Cat Osterman poses for a portrait during the Team USA Tokyo 2020 Olympic shoot on November 22, 2019 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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Cat Osterman, Texas softball 4-time All-American, former Team USA pitcher, AUSL Volts GM
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 22: Softball player Cat Osterman poses for a portrait during the Team USA Tokyo 2020 Olympic shoot on November 22, 2019 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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Cat Osterman, Texas softball 4-time All-American, former Team USA pitcher, AUSL Volts GM
Athens, GREECE: US catcher Stacey Nuveman (L) Celebrates with pitchers Jennie Finch (C), Catherine Osterman (R) and other members of the US softball team winning the gold medal against Australia 23 August 2004 at the softball stadium in the Helliniko Sports Complex during the 2004 Olympic Games. USA won 5-1. AFP PHOTO / OMAR TORRES (Photo credit should read OMAR TORRES/AFP via Getty Images)
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Cat Osterman, Texas softball 4-time All-American, former Team USA pitcher, AUSL Volts GM
ATHENS – AUGUST 16: Catherine Osterman of USA throws a pitch during the preliminary softball game on August 16, 2004 during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games at the Softball Stadium in the Helliniko Olympic Complex in Athens, Greece. (Photo by Ben Radford/Getty Images)
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Cat Osterman, Texas softball 4-time All-American, former Team USA pitcher, AUSL Volts GM
NEW YORK – MAY 14: Softball player Catherine Osterman at the U. S. Olympic Team Media Summit on May 14, 2004 at the Marriott Marquis in New York, New York. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)
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Cat Osterman, Texas softball 4-time All-American, former Team USA pitcher, AUSL Volts GM
CHULA VISTA, CA – SEPTEMBER 16: Starting Pitcher Cat Osterman poses for a portrait during the USA Women’s Softball Media Summit on September 16, 2003 at the Arco Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
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Cat Osterman, Texas softball 4-time All-American, former Team USA pitcher, AUSL Volts GM
CHULA VISTA, CA – JANUARY 4: Catherine Osterman of the USA Softball team winds up to pitch during a practice game on January 4, 2002 at the Arco Training Center in Chula Vista, California . (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
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Cat Osterman, Texas softball 4-time All-American, former Team USA pitcher, AUSL Volts GM
YOKOHAMA, JAPAN – JULY 26: Pitcher Catherine Osterman #38 of Team United States pitches in the sixth inning against Team Japan during softball opening round on day three of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Yokohama Baseball Stadium on July 26, 2021 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. (Photo by Yuichi Masuda/Getty Images)
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Cat Osterman, Texas softball 4-time All-American, former Team USA pitcher, AUSL Volts GM
YOKOHAMA, JAPAN – JULY 27: Catherine Osterman #38 and Aubree Munro #1 of Team United States return to the dugout at the end of the first inning against Team Japan during the Softball Gold Medal Game between Team Japan and Team United States on day four of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Yokohama Baseball Stadium on July 27, 2021 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. (Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images)
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Cat Osterman, Texas softball 4-time All-American, former Team USA pitcher, AUSL Volts GM
Apr 14, 2008; Chicago, IL, USA; USA softball Olympics pitcher Cat Osterman poses during a portrait session at the USOC Olympic Summit. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
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Cat Osterman, Texas softball 4-time All-American, former Team USA pitcher, AUSL Volts GM
YOKOHAMA, JAPAN – JULY 27: Team United States receives their silver medals after losing 2-0 to Team Japan in the Softball Gold Medal Game between Team Japan and Team United States on day four of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Yokohama Baseball Stadium on July 27, 2021 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. (Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images)
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Cat Osterman, Texas softball 4-time All-American, former Team USA pitcher, AUSL Volts GM
YOKOHAMA, JAPAN – JULY 27: Catherine Osterman #38 of Team United States returns to the dugout at the end of the first inning against Team Japan during the Softball Gold Medal Game between Team Japan and Team United States on day four of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Yokohama Baseball Stadium on July 27, 2021 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. (Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images)
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Cat Osterman, Texas softball 4-time All-American, former Team USA pitcher, AUSL Volts GM
Apr 14, 2008; Chicago, IL, USA; USA softball Olympics pitcher Cat Osterman poses during a portrait session at the USOC Olympic Summit. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
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Cat Osterman, Texas softball 4-time All-American, former Team USA pitcher, AUSL Volts GM
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 12: Cat Osterman attends Women’s Sports Foundation’s Annual Salute To Women In Sports at Cipriani Wall Street on October 12, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for WSF)
Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU softball prepares for ‘toughest’ road test at Texas in top-5 series
