In a Women’s College World Series without Oklahoma, the Sooners’ base is up for grabs: ‘I’ll take those 10,000 fans’

OKLAHOMA CITY — Once powerhouse Oklahoma fell out of the race for Women’s College World Series national champion, a new chase emerged for their massive local fanbase, suddenly and shockingly without a rooting interest. 

Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy wasn’t about to let the opportunity for that backing pass his program by in its first WCWS appearance since 2001. 

“First, to all the Oklahoma fans that are looking for a team to cheer for, it’s right here,” Murphy said in an appeal he intended to spread beyond the media press conference room at Devon Park on Wednesday. “We have the same color palette. ‘AMA’ at the bottom. You can almost think it says Oklahoma; pretend it does. I’ll take those 10,000 fans cheering for us.” 

The 2026 WCWS is the first in more than a decade to be played without Oklahoma after they were upset by Mississippi State in the super regional last weekend. They are the only program to win four consecutive titles, doing so from 2021 to 2024, and reached the WCWS in nine consecutive seasons. 

The week-plus tournament at Devon Park is typically a Sooners coronation, 30 minutes up the road from campus. There is a concern that their absence will sink attendance numbers and viewer interest, despite a field that most coaches, including Murphy, praised for parity on Wednesday. There is an overwhelming sense inside and outside of the park that no one is in pole position for the title. 

Anyone could win, and that should bring its own type of fandom. 

“For the sport and for just the fans involved, it gives them another opportunity to get to know another team such as State,” Murphy, who has coached at Alabama since the program’s inception in 1997, said. “One of the coolest things about this year is there was two schools in the SEC that had not made the World Series, and they both made it this year. I hope you guys realize there’s 15 schools in the SEC, and now every single one of us has made a World Series. Unbelievable.” 

Alabama, Mississippi State, Arkansas, Texas and Tennessee will all represent the SEC when play begins with a quadruple header on Thursday. 

Texas is the reigning champion, while Mississippi State and Arkansas are making their first appearances. Alabama won its sole title in 2012 and finished runner-up in 2014. Tennessee has two runner-up finishes, including in 2013 to Oklahoma. 

Nebraska hasn’t reached the championship series since 1985, and Texas Tech reached its first a season ago. 

Texas Tech head coach Gerry Glasco, who led the Red Raiders to a championship series Game 3 appearance last season in his first year at the school, thinks the Sooners faithful will shift their support to Mississippi State despite the recent heartbreak. 

It’s where one of their own resides. Bulldogs head coach Samantha Ricketts played for Oklahoma from 2005-09 and was an assistant coach from 2009-11. She said she’s heard from many of her Norman connections throughout the week, reaching out to congratulate her. 

“Yes, we’re more than willing to adopt some new fans for the weekend,” Ricketts said. “I’ve got all kinds of shirts. We’ll trade in crimson for maroon if that’s what they want to do.” 

The sport’s other heavyweight isn’t making any such pleas, whether serious or in light, fun jest. UCLA’s Kelly Inouye-Perez, the winningest head coach in Division I softball leading the winningest program, has been here plenty as a head coach and a player. 

The tournament goes on, no matter which teams are in the field. Hers is a 12-time national champion, having won at least one in every decade, including an AIAW title before the NCAA began governing women’s sports in 1982. They have yet to win one in the 2020s. 

“It celebrates the opportunity for those that have earned the opportunity to compete, and I think you’re going to see exactly that: great softball [and] a great fan base for the sport,” Inouye-Perez said. “We happen to be here in the city of Oklahoma, but there’s a lot of people that come and support softball. So I’m excited for that.”