Softball: OU ranked No. 2 in Big 12 poll

The University of Oklahoma softball team was picked to finish second by the Big 12 coaches in the annual preseason poll, which was released by the league office on Thursday. The Sooners were one of three teams to receive a first-place vote and picked up 70 total votes while Texas A&M was tabbed the league favorite with 79 total points.

“These polls are great to use for motivation, but the preseason poll means nothing because it just matters where you finish at the end of the season,” head coach Patty Gasso said. “These polls are usually based on how well a team does in the prior season and every team is different from year to year. I’m excited to see what our team does this year.”

Oklahoma returns seven starters, including three All-Americans, that helped produce one of the most successful Sooner campaigns in school history last season. The 2007 Big 12 Postseason Champions finished 55-8 and compiled the program’s second-highest winning percentage, behind the 2000 National Championship squad that posted a 66-8 record.

Among the returnees for Oklahoma are Big 12 Co-Pitcher of the Year Lauren Eckermann and USA Softball National Player of the Year finalist Samantha Ricketts. Eckermann tied a school record with 37 wins in 2007 while Ricketts led the nation and set a school and conference record with 81 RBI last season.