NORMAN — Oklahoma coach Patty Gasso didn't send thank you cards to the Arkansas and Tulsa softball teams for making the NCAA Tournament, but when Gasso is sleeping in her own bed tonight, she might reconsider.
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Because those two teams were selected by the NCAA for the 64-team field, the Sooners were able to host this weekend's regional tournament that begins tonight at 5 p.m. at Marita Hynes Field.
A year ago, OU was sent to Massachusetts for regionals, because there were not enough teams within driving distance of Norman to justify OU hosting a regional.
"It's all about that 250-mile radius of being able to drive somewhere,” said Gasso, whose Sooners are the No. 10 overall seed in this year's NCAA Tournament. "Last year, to pick up Oklahoma and send them to Massachusetts — every team there drove except us.
"Fair or not, that's how they do it. What we root for every year are Tulsa and Wichita State and the teams in our area to do well, so we can host.”
Tulsa put together a strong season, with a 34-23 overall record and a third-place finish in Conference USA.
Arkansas' inclusion as the No. 2 seed in the Norman regional was a little more surprising, especially considering its 8-20 record in the Southeastern Conference (36-27 overall) wasn't even good enough to get the Razorbacks into the conference's postseason tournament.
But you don't have to tell Gasso how good the Hogs are. OU split a pair of 3-2 decisions at Arkansas early last month.
"Their conference record has no bearing on how good they are,” Gasso said. "Arkansas plays a tough schedule and they take their hits, but they've won some big games.
"From a team that played them, they're well-deserving to be in.”
Tulsa and Arkansas will meet in tonight's opener, followed by OU and Oregon in the 7:30 p.m. finale. The Ducks, seeded fourth in the regional, finished 33-27 overall and in last place in the Pac-10 Conference at 5-16.
Oddly, all three teams in the Norman regional defeated OU during the regular season. Tulsa split with the Sooners, each team winning at home. And Oregon won a 1-0 decision in the Palm Springs Classic in February.
However, OU's No. 3 pitcher, Jadyn Smith, held the Ducks in check for 4 1/3 innings, allowing a solo home run among Oregon's three hits. So the Ducks aren't too familiar with the Sooners' top two pitchers, D.J. Mathis and Lauren Eckermann, who they will see tonight.
"We're definitely not going to take them lightly,” OU senior shortstop Savannah Long said of the Ducks. "And I think it adds fuel to our fire. We didn't play our best ball against them and having a loss to them, we're gonna be ready to play them and erase that loss.”
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More Info
NCAA softball Norman regional
Today's GamesGame 1: No. 2 Arkansas vs. No. 3 Tulsa, 5 p.m.
Game 2: No. 1 Oklahoma vs. No. 4 Oregon, 7:30 p.m.
Ticket information: Call the OU ticket office at 325-2424 or (800) 456-4668
NCAA softball tournament
Norman Regional
Today's GamesGame 1: No. 2 Arkansas vs. No. 3 Tulsa, 5 p.m.
Game 2: No. 1 Oklahoma vs. No. 4 Oregon, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday's GamesGame 3: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 1 p.m.
Game 4: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 3:30 p.m.
Game 5: Loser Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 6 p.m.
Sunday's GamesGame 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5, 1 p.m.
Game 7: Same teams (if necessary) 3:30 p.m.
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