Oklahoma softball defends celebrations ahead of WCWS final - ESPN

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma softball coach Patty Gasso said Tuesday that she tells her players «you must be unapologetic» for the way they play the game with energy and outwardly celebrate their triumphs — even if their triumph is as seemingly unimportant as a walk.

«Because women have worked so hard to get here yet still get judged for those things,» Gasso said. «That's the way we play, and that's what people enjoy. Or you don't. You either like it or you don't, but we're not going to apologize for these players knowing the game and celebrating the right way.»

The Sooners have had plenty to celebrate of late. They're ranked No. 1 and are riding an NCAA record 51-game winning streak.

On Wednesday, Oklahoma will seek to win a third straight national championship when it plays Florida State in the final of the Women's College World Series.

But on the eve of the best-of-three series, left fielder Alyssa Brito acknowledged the criticism the players receive for the way they play with emotion and excitement.

«I think we've seen so much on social media,» she said.

It's to the point that center fielder Jayda Coleman said she stays off her social media accounts «because that would fire me up and maybe just want to do it even more.»

Coleman, a first-team All-American who is tied for the team lead in home runs with 17, said there is a double standard that exists when it comes to men and women celebrating in sports.

«I really don't get it,» she said. «I feel like we are continuously — and softball itself — are just breaking barriers. I've seen it with my own eyes, and I feel like it's just very disappointing to just see people just trying to tear us down in that type of way. Maybe not tearing us down, but just kind of making it into a