But Oklahoma is not most college softball programs. And coach Patty Gasso certainly isn't most college softball coaches. She was blunt following her Sooners' loss to Tennessee on Sunday, a loss that provided Oklahoma its first-ever Southeastern Conference series defeat.

Tennessee ace Karlyn Pickens carried her team across the finish line, and the Volunteers handed Oklahoma its first series defeat of the season with a 5-3 victory. The No. 2-ranked Sooners were unable to cash in on Abigale Dayton’s leadoff walk in the fifth or her two-out single in the seventh.

Oklahoma softball knew it had a challenge ahead when reigning SEC Pitcher of the Year Karlyn Pickens rolled into town. In last week’s Lady Vols' win over Arkansas, Pickens set the record for fastest-recorded pitch in softball history when she was clocked at 78.