Oklahoma Sooners’ Patty Gaso is currently facing backlash for publicly berating Rylie Boone over…

Even when it seems like everything changed, still, some things never really do.

The four-time defending national champions Oklahoma Sooners started their new era in the SEC with a sweep of previously unbeaten South Carolina in a top-10 matchup.

Both teams entered the weekend series as the only two undefeated teams left in college softball. After Friday night, only the Sooners still stood perfect. By Sunday, OU was 22-0, while No. 10 South Carolina was 20-3 and on a losing streak.

The Sooners had climbed to No. 1 in all major rankings while avoiding a loss, but there were still expectations they would slip once they got into SEC play after a soft early schedule.

Even though OU was unbeaten and at the top of every major poll, the Sooners were still 26th in the first RPI rankings of the season last week because of their lackluster schedule. There was obviously no belief in OU’s undefeated start while Patty Gasso was reloading with a nearly entirely new roster.

But in a new conference with a new roster, it’s now been proven it’s still the same ole’ Sooners with Gasso leading the way.

The Sooners used their famous power at the plate to beat South Carolina 10-9 thanks to three home runs in Game 1 on Friday night.

With no game Saturday, OU finished the sweep Sunday with a doubleheader. The Sooners needed a walk-off double from Gabbie Garcia to take Game 1, 10-9. Once again, OU was powered by home runs with four bombs.

In Game 2, it was pitching that got the job done with Audrey Lowry going the distance in the 2-1 win. Lowry improved to 5-0 on the season after giving up only three hits and a run while striking out two in seven innings.

The Sooners scored a pair of runs in the first innings, which was ultimately all they needed. McEnroe-Marinas drove in Kasidi Pickering with a single to right field. Garcia then scored McEnroe-Marinas on a bunt single after a bad throw to first.

Now in the SEC, the schedule never gets easier for OU this season with a series at No. 10 Arkansas this weekend after a midweek game against Tulsa. Missouri is the only conference opponent on the Sooners’ schedule that isn’t ranked.

It’s apparent there should be no fear from the Sooners regarding the SEC, but maybe the SEC is worried only things have changed for them, not OU.