OU Softball: Oklahoma 3B Alyssa Brito Ready to 'Thrive' in 'Fun' Road Trip to Texas

Alyssa Brito often shines when the Sooners go on the road, delivering multiple massive home runs to push OU to victory.

Oklahoma's Alyssa Brito slides in ahead of the tag. / Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports

NORMAN — Alyssa Brito is comfortable in big moments, especially when Oklahoma hits the road. 

The OU third baseman has delivered time and time again in high-pressure spots over the past three years. 

And Patty Gasso’s top-ranked Sooners will need her bat again this weekend. 

Oklahoma (34-1, 12-0 Big 12) heads to Austin to meet No. 4 Texas (29-5, 9-3) in a massive Big 12 clash in Austin.

The Longhorns rank second in the country in team batting average (.377) and fourth in team ERA (1.41), trailing Oklahoma by one spot in each category, but the Sooners will have to battle more than just the team in the other dugout. 

OU’s trip to Red and Charline McCombs Field will see the nation’s best team dropped into a truly hostile atmosphere for the first time all season. 

WATCH: Alyssa Brito and Kinzie Hansen interview

But the Sooners have plenty of experience to fall back upon. 

Oklahoma’s roster is loaded with 10 seniors, many of which have been through their fair share of Big 12 battles and beyond. 

Stars like Tiare Jennings, Jayda Coleman, Kinzie Hansen and Rylie Boone are steady hands, but Brito seems to come alive in big road atmospheres dating all the way back to her freshman season at Oregon. 

The Ducks were sent to Austin for NCAA Regionals action, where she blasted a key home run against the Longhorns to extend Oregon’s season. 

A year later, after transferring to Oklahoma, Brito starred in her second trip to Texas. 

Across the three-game series, she went 4-for-9 at the plate, smashing three home runs and driving in four total RBIs. 

“I have a lot of fun in those environments,” Brito said Tuesday. “Those big games are the ones where I feel like I thrive. The passion is high, emotion is high. That’s when I feel like I’m at my best. They definitely create that, their fans do.”

Brito’s heroics on the road aren’t just limited to battles against the Longhorns. 

In Oklahoma’s mid-week trip to Baton Rouge to take on LSU last year, Brito belted a crucial two-run home run that helped the Sooners secure the win. 

She also hit a bomb in last year’s Bedlam series as OU swept Oklahoma State in Stillwater. 

“I love playing at Texas, at OSU, because I think these are like the most fun games,” Brito said, "and LSU last year was a good example of that. I think it only makes us better.

“… We have like, home crowds everywhere, which is impressive, and we can thank Sooner Nation for that, but I think it makes us better knowing that everyone else is against us because it challenges us to step up and bow up.”

Alyssa Brito thrives in big moments for Oklahoma — especially against Texas. / Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports

The journey from fall ball to the Women’s College World Series every June is long. 

Across the country, teams battle through long weekends, doubleheaders and midweek contests alike. 

Putting up runs in bunches has become a hallmark for the Sooners, strolling to run-rule victory after run-rule victory, but weekend trips to Austin and Stillwater for emotional rivalry games are what brings the best out of Oklahoma. 

“It’s fun to play in front of any kind of crowd whether they’re for you or against you,” Gasso said. “When you hear the sounds and excitement it just kind of drives your adrenaline a bit. So they’re looking forward to it. It’s always going to be a very competitive, very intense-type game. 

“… But it’s fun. That’s what it’s about. It’s fun to play in those environments. It’s where your best memories come from. When you leave softball, you don’t remember your run rules, or at least I don’t. You remember when your team is in the trenches together. … When you’re side-by-side and you’re fighting for it, those are the moments you’ll never forget. So they love that stuff.”

This weekend will be no different. 

Five different Texas pitchers have made at least 10 appearances, giving Oklahoma’s hitters plenty to prepare for. 

Every single Longhorn arm has a sub-2.00 ERA as well, a testament to the consistency and talent across the board. 

Mike White’s Texas team will want to get back on track after dropping two games to Oklahoma State last weekend in Stillwater, and the burnt orange-clad, sold out crowd will try to will the Longhorns across the finish line starting on Friday. 

“Their team is amazing,” Brito said. Their coaching staff is so good at what they do, too. It’s always a challenge. It pushes us. I’m excited for those environments and that stage. … I think that’s when our greatness shines out more.

“… Playing in Austin is always really fun, and they’re a great team so it’s going to be a good series.”