The entire team huddles around, taking in every moment, as this is what they’ve always dreamed of. The crowd yells their names and applauds, as the team raises a trophy over their heads.
The rush of the crowd, the sweat pouring down and the overwhelming emotions.
This is the feeling of a champion.
LSU’s softball team has never experienced this feeling.
The last time that the Tigers had a Women’s College World Series appearance was in 2017, and they have yet to bring a trophy back to Baton Rouge.
Contrary to the Tiger’s success, Oklahoma is very familiar with winning national championships, as they have taken seven WCWS titles.
As Oklahoma and Texas plan to enter into the Southeastern Conference in early 2024, LSU’s chances of becoming champions continue to shrink.
SEC softball has remained relatively competitive in the past. No team is overly dominant, and no program remains at the top.
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This is not the case in the Big 12.
Oklahoma has been the obvious powerhouse since Patty Gasso became its head coach in 1995.
Just five years after becoming head coach, the Sooners won their first national title. Thirteen years later, they won another and then became back to back champions in 2016 and 2017. Most recently, the Sooners three-peated from 2021-2023.
Oklahoma has a record-breaking 53-game win streak that is still active. It went 61-1 in the 2023 season, with its only loss being to Baylor by one run.
They have ended the past 11 seasons ranked No. 1 in the Big 12.
Although Texas’ softball program hasn’t been nearly as dominant as Oklahoma’s, it isn’t a team that should be overlooked.
The Longhorns were runners-up to Oklahoma in the 2022 WCWS. They have made six WCWS appearances and won four conference tournament championships.
So the question remains, how will Oklahoma and Texas’ entrance into the SEC impact LSU softball?
The short answer: It will impact everything.
LSU hasn’t won a conference championship in 16 years, but with Oklahoma and Texas entering the conference, its odds of winning continue to decrease.
The Sooners have won 15 conference titles, compared to LSU’s five.
Without an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, the Tigers will be left to their own devices to be one of eight teams remaining at the end of the season.
Oklahoma and Texas consistently finish ranked as top three teams, whereas LSU remains more mid-tiered.
Further pushing the Tigers’ ranking might lower their national seed in the postseason, hurting their chances of hosting a super regional.
Recruiting could possibly be another issue that comes with the Sooners and Longhorns entrance.
The SEC is a guaranteed place for athletes to receive TV time, endorsements and most importantly, money.
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The conference is currently tied to a $3 billion deal with Disney, according to The New York Times. Because the contract is for 10 years, the SEC will get $300 million per year.
With Oklahoma and Texas entering the conference, LSU will no longer have the upper hand of being in the SEC. Recruits would have the best of both worlds of being part of the sensational Sooners program while playing for a high-ranked, competitive conference.
With a multitude of issues arising, it’ll be interesting to see how head coach Beth Torina handles the adversity that comes with the Sooners and Longhorns.
With the experienced team that LSU has for the 2024 season, it is capable of being competitive with anyone in the country. However, it could be hard for the Tiger’s to embrace the change and remain competitive in the upcoming years.
College softball is constantly evolving. With changes come new beginnings and exciting outcomes. However, it can also be a time for uncertainty and downfalls.
The Tigers’ softball program could fall into either category, and the 2024 season is their first step in deciding which route to take.
