I won’t pretend to know what OU Softball head coach Patty Gasso was planning when she put together the starting lineup for the Sooners’ first game of the Women’s College World Series, but the circumstances of Freshman of the Year Jordy Bahl’s return are fascinating.
Gasso gave Bahl the nod with two outs in the top of the fifth with a 12-run lead.
Northwestern fans on social media weren’t happy.
I can understand that watching your opponent switch pitchers with a massive lead and one out remaining can be perceived as “bad sportsmanship”, but in this case, the Sooners’ skipper knew what she was doing.
With how dominant Bahl has been in her debut season, it’s easy to forget how young she is. As this is her freshman season, that was Bahl’s first WCWS experience. She also hadn’t pitched in a month.
Giving Bahl this little taste of action could end up doing wonders for not just her, but the entire team. The way they all celebrated when Bahl came on to the pitch was nothing short of awe-inspiring.
So, no, Northwestern. This wasn’t “bad sportsmanship by Gasso. This was one of the best softball coaches in the nation giving one of her pitchers an opportunity to brush the dust off and get some much-needed WCWS experience.
Considering what happened last year for the Sooners in the opening game of the WCWS, a bit of a morale boost will work wonders.
The Sooners enjoyed a day off on Friday and will play the Texas Longhorns in the next round.
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