A Legacy Begins: The 24-Year Anniversary of Oklahoma Softball’s First Women’s College World Series Trip
Twenty-four years ago today, Oklahoma softball took its first monumental step toward becoming a dynasty. On May 21, 2000, the Sooners clinched Patty Gasso’s first Women’s College World Series (WCWS) appearance with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Oregon State in the NCAA Regionals.
Little did anyone know at the time, but this win was the start of something much bigger. A few weeks later, Oklahoma went on to win its first national championship, becoming the first women’s program at the university to ever capture an NCAA title.
Since then, the Sooners have built an unparalleled legacy, winning multiple national championships and establishing themselves as the gold standard in collegiate softball.
Let’s take a look back at that historic 2000 season, what it meant for Oklahoma softball, and how it paved the way for the Sooners’ current dynasty.
The Road to the 2000 WCWS: Oklahoma’s Breakthrough Season
Before 2000, Oklahoma softball had been a solid program, but it had yet to reach the elite status it enjoys today. Patty Gasso had taken over as head coach in 1995, and in just a few short years, she had transformed the team into a national contender.
That season, the Sooners dominated from start to finish, finishing with a 66-8 record—one of the best in program history. They won the Big 12 Championship and entered the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 overall seed.
Clutch Victory Over Oregon State
The defining moment of that season’s NCAA Regionals came when Oklahoma faced Oregon State with a trip to the Women’s College World Series on the line.
In a tightly contested game, the Sooners pulled out a 3-2 victory, punching their ticket to OKC and their first-ever WCWS appearance. The win marked a turning point for the program, proving that Oklahoma belonged among the sport’s elite.
Oklahoma’s First National Championship: A Historic Moment
Making it to the WCWS was one thing—winning it all was another. But this team was hungry for more.
Once in Oklahoma City, the Sooners continued their dominant run, eventually advancing to the championship game against UCLA, the powerhouse program that had long ruled college softball.
On May 29, 2000, Oklahoma shocked the world by defeating the Bruins 3-1, securing the program’s first-ever national championship.
With that win, OU became the first women’s program in school history to win an NCAA title, and Patty Gasso officially cemented her status as one of the game’s best coaches.
How That 2000 Championship Changed Everything
Before the 2000 championship, Oklahoma softball was still searching for its identity on the national stage. Winning that first title changed the perception of the program and set the foundation for decades of dominance.
Here’s why that victory was so important:
- It Put Oklahoma Softball on the Map
- Before 2000, schools like UCLA, Arizona, and Fresno State were the premier programs in softball.
- Oklahoma’s title proved that a Big 12 school could compete at the highest level and win it all.
- It Gave Patty Gasso the Confidence to Build a Dynasty
- Winning early in her career gave Gasso the blueprint for sustained success.
- She used that momentum to recruit better players and elevate the program year after year.
- It Inspired Future Generations of Players
- The 2000 championship team became trailblazers for all the Sooners who followed.
- Players like Lauren Chamberlain, Keilani Ricketts, and Jocelyn Alo grew up watching Oklahoma’s success and wanted to be part of that winning culture.
Fast Forward to Today: Oklahoma’s Dynasty Continues
Since that first title in 2000, Oklahoma softball has never looked back. The Sooners have won eight national championships (2000, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024), including a historic four straight from 2021-2024.
Here’s what OU softball has accomplished since that first championship:
✅ Eight WCWS titles (second-most in NCAA history)
✅ 16 Women’s College World Series appearances
✅ 14 Big 12 Championships
✅ Countless All-Americans and national award winners
Oklahoma isn’t just a great program—it’s the best in the nation.
And it all started with that breakthrough season in 2000.
Final Thoughts: The First Step in a Legendary Journey
As Oklahoma fans look back on that historic win over Oregon State 24 years ago today, it’s impossible not to appreciate how far the program has come.
That 3-2 victory was more than just a trip to the WCWS—it was the moment that changed everything for Oklahoma softball.
Now, the Sooners are the most dominant program in the sport, with no signs of slowing down.
And to think—it all started with one unforgettable run in 2000.
Boomer Sooner! ⭕🙌🏾