The postseason is here for Oklahoma Sooners softball — and for the first time in years, there’s uncertainty surrounding the Sooners.

On the latest episode of The Long View, Oklahoma Memo founder Ryan Welton and columnist Clay Horning broke down a team that still has one of the nation’s most explosive offenses, but continues searching for some answers in the pitching circle.

OU opens NCAA Regional play against Binghamton in Norman, with Kansas and Michigan also in the regional field. Horning said Kansas presents the biggest threat in the region because of its offensive production, though Oklahoma still owns a major edge at the plate.

The bigger concern is the longer term, and it’s pitching consistency.

The Sooners have rotated pitchers throughout the second half of the season, and Welton and Horning questioned whether head coach Patty Gasso fully trusts any one ace entering postseason play. Audrey Lowry has posted the team’s best ERA and thrown the most innings, but Oklahoma has continued mixing and matching in key moments.

Potential Super Regional matchups could create even more problems.

Horning pointed to Mississippi State as a particularly dangerous opponent because of its elite pitching depth, while Welton highlighted a possible showdown against Oregon Ducks softball ace Lindsey Grein. For the record, Grein’s numbers are equitable to Lowry’s but Grein has 47 more innings pitched on the season.

The conversation also touched on whether this version of Oklahoma softball resembles the high-octane teams coached by legendary OU basketball coach Billy Tubbs — teams capable of overwhelming opponents offensively while sometimes leaving fans nervous defensively.

Even with the concerns, neither Welton nor Horning is counting the Sooners out — and both expect Oklahoma to make it to the Women’s College World Series.

As Horning put it, Oklahoma may not currently look like the national title favorite, but few teams in college softball can match the Sooners when their lineup gets rolling.

If you dig the conversation, subscribe to the Oklahoma Memo YouTube channel — and be sure to visit Clay’s work at OklahomaColumnist.com.

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