OU Softball Opens Preseason Practice

Jan. 9, 2003

Norman, Okla. - The 2003 Oklahoma softball team opened preseason practice in blustery conditions at the OU Softball Complex on Thursday. The players ran through several fielding drills with the ball flying wildly in the Oklahoma wind.

The weather was more reminiscent of an early March day in Oklahoma rather than early January but it suited the Sooners just fine.

Although Oklahoma opens the season in Gainesville, Fla., at the University of Florida Tournament on Feb. 7-9, the experience of dealing with the weather will become a valuable commodity when the Sooners return to Norman to host the OU/Nike Classic in their home opener on Feb. 14-16.

OU held a two-hour practice Thursday morning, then returned to the field for a three-hour afternoon session. The Sooners will duplicate the schedule on Friday, then begin regular afternoon practices at 2 p.m. beginning on Jan. 13.

Last season, Oklahoma advanced to the Women's College World Series for the third consecutive year and finished ranked No. 8 overall with a record of 49-16. Over the past three years, OU has amassed an impressive 165-33 record (.833).

The Sooners will aim for an unprecedented fourth trip to the WCWS this season. Oklahoma faces four teams that finished in the Top 25 of the final NFCA poll last season: No. 6 Nebraska, No. 16 Texas, No. 17 Fresno State and No. 21 Texas A&M.

OU hosts a tough slate of competitors in Norman including Cal State-Long Beach, Wisconsin, Missouri, Iowa State, Texas A&M and intrastate tilts with Tulsa and Oklahoma State.

For information on season tickets for the 2003 softball season, please contact the OU Athletics Ticket Office at (800) 456-GoOU.

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University of Oklahoma Athletics

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