BGSU softball (2-3) returns to the dirt for a five-game Norman Tournament in Norman, Oklahoma, arguably their hardest season series in only their second weekend playing. Their opponents include Wichita State, Abilene Christian, Tulsa twice and four-time defending national champions, Oklahoma on their home field.
Saturday, Feb. 22
Wichita State is coming off an American Athletic Conference championship appearance in 2024, a 5-0 start through their first tournament in 2025, and a favorable 6-4 record, losing to #23 Kentucky, #5 Texas A&M, and #8 Florida State. While many of their stats are upper third in the AAC, by far their strength is slugging, the best in the AAC and one of the best in the Norman Tournament.
Through 10 games played to start 2025, they have knocked 16 doubles, two triples, and 11 home runs, outslugging opponents .483 to .386. Right-fielder Lauren Lucas leads the offensive charge with three homers and doubles, a .500 average, and a 1.443 OPS. Junior shortstop Taylor Sedlacek is only a step behind, with three homers and two doubles with a .345 average and an OPS over 1.000.
BG plays Wichita State at 1:30 p.m. on Oklahoma’s Love’s Field.
Out of Abilene, Texas, Abilene Christian is the most beatable team BG will face on the weekend. Finishing 16-32 in 2024 and last in the Western Athletic Conference, the Wildcats have started 2025 worse, 1-9 with two ranked losses to #19 Baylor and #7 Texas A&M.
Abilene Christian is bottom three in every statistical category besides having the third most strikeouts offensively in the WAC. Junior first baseman Elizabeth Schaefer is a top 10 hitter in the WAC however, a .429 average adding seven walks and the most runs scored on the team (6). Schaefer and the Wildcats will take the field against the Falcons at 5:30 on Love’s Field.
Sunday, Feb. 23
Tulsa, another member of the AAC with Wichita State, finished with two more wins than the Shockers in 2024 but lost to them in the semifinal of the AAC tournament. The Golden Hurricane started at .500 through 10 games in 2025, their best game being a #2/1 Texas loss in Huntsville, Texas.
Fielding is the main strength of Tulsa, with a .976 fielding percentage second in the AAC in 290 chances this season. They have been targeted heavily on the base paths, with 25 steal attempts, and five runners thrown out. Freshman star catcher Amber Turner has thrown out all five runners, also hitting .367 with three doubles and a .854 OPS. The Golden Hurricane plays BG at both 11:30 a.m. on Sunday AND 3 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 24.
Monday, Feb. 24
In maybe the toughest opponent t for BG all season, Oklahoma will take their home field, Love’s Field, against the Falcons at noon on Monday. The #2 ranked marquee softball program has won four national championships in a row, finishing first in the Big 12 from 2011 to 2023, and second in 2024 before winning the conference tournament.
The Sooners have yet to lose this season, beating #23 Baylor 9-1 and 8-0 in five-inning run-rule games, two of five total this season. Through their ten games of play, five players carry a 1.000+ OPS, four with a .350+ batting average, three with three homers, and three with 10+ RBIs. The pitching staff sports three starters with a sub-two ERA and two with 15+ strikeouts, all with a batting average against under .200.
