NORMAN — As hundreds of fans lined the outside of Love’s Field in the early morning hours Friday anxiously anticipating the sound of ticket scanners and gates opening, construction workers could be seen still working.

Up until the final minute, bleachers were being constructed right below the flagpoles in left field and throughout the game construction trucks drove behind the outfield seating areas continuing to make progress on OU’s new softball stadium.

“It’s been like that for the last three weeks, it’s just been that frenetic pace,” Greg Tipton, executive associate athletic director and head of internal operations, facilities and events told The Oklahoman.

“I was a little shocked when I showed up and saw that we're still working on that. … Timberlake, our construction management team that built this place, they did a beautiful job. We've had all hands on deck. At one point, I think there were about 70 workers here yesterday. It's crazy.”

As work continued and areas of dirt decorated the outskirts of the facility, OU president Joseph Harroz Jr., athletic director Joe Castiglione, regent Rick Nagel and members of the Love family simultaneously officially cut the ribbon for Love’s Field. The $48 million project holds 4,200 people and is the largest on-campus softball stadium in the country.

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The stadium opening and $12 million investment from Love’s signifies a historic day for the Sooners, college softball and women’s athletics. Around a year ago when the program said the stadium would be ready by this spring, it was hard to fathom as tractors, cranes and dirt piles made up the area for the last several months.

The speed alone at which the facility was built and operationally ready to play a softball game is as impressive as the structure itself.

“There wasn’t ever a point that I didn’t think it was going to happen,” Tipton said. “To play in here today because of the people that we have, the supporting crew that we have around here … there was never any doubt in my mind that we would be where we are today.”

Harroz, Castiglione, OU coach Patty Gasso, Love’s Travel Stop chief culture officer Jenny Love Meyer and co-captains Kinzie Hansen and Tiare Jennings all spoke at the event to commemorate the first game at the field. Several alumni sprinkled the crowd, including former coach Marita Hynes, the NCAA’s home run leader Jocelyn Alo and former Sooners pitcher Alex Storako.

Storako remembers the early days of construction and has watched the progress ever since as she still lives in the area and is finishing up her degree.

“It’s been super cool just being able to watch it develop,” said Storako, who added that she wishes she had an extra year of eligibility to play in the stadium. “It’s been cool to see the evolution of it all and just also be back with the people who built this, the players and coaches. I was fortunate enough to get a year of it but I feel like I’m a Sooner for life. The support from players, coaches and fans has been amazing.

“It’s really cool seeing it all develop and become this big thing within women's sports, but softball especially.”

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During the pregame ceremony, Castiglione revealed that Gasso’s statue, which was announced following the Sooners’ seventh national championship last summer, will be constructed in front of Gate 1 behind home plate. The statue is expected to be unveiled later this season.

“We'll have another ceremony,” Castiglione told the throng of fans, “because, as we announced last year after we won our seventh national championship right here, right in front of us will be the site of a statue that we will unveil of the GOAT, Patty Gasso.

“We've spared nothing in trying to create the softball stadium as befitting for the softball program that is the gold standard in all of college athletics. Most importantly, because we wanted to serve the athletes that have made this great program what it is and those that will come to make it what it can be in the future.”

When it was Gasso’s turn at the lectern, she was forced to hold back tears. The 61-year-old legendary coach has seen it all during her time in Norman, including when her team could only practice until 5 p.m. and had to clean up trash due to the men’s slow-pitch league at Reaves Park.

She said she thought Marita Hynes Field, the Sooners’ former stadium, was too big at the time. During her time playing in that stadium, Gasso won seven national titles. Along with the unveiling, Friday also conveniently kicked off the first day of Women’s History Month.

“This future is here,” Gasso said. “It's leading us into the SEC and I think I can look at these guys and say we're ready to win more championships. We are breaking ceilings and you know about the championships, the win streak, you fans showing up for Hall of Fame stadium when we played Texas, breaking attendance records. This stadium is breaking ceilings for women's softball and all the women athletic programs across the country, challenging companies and donors to invest in women's athletics.”

Gasso was as involved as anyone throughout the process. The veteran coach had thoughts about everything you can imagine, from the padding in the outfield to the types of grass and turf being displayed on the field.

“She always made time,” Tipton said. “She never missed a meeting and she just gave her vision from the beginning to the end with this whole place and it's a testament to her. It's a testament to this program and the programs or the teams before her. … A lot of love and care went into this planning and I'm just glad to be a small part of it myself. It’s been awesome.”

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Having played in the Big Ten as a member of Michigan’s softball team for four seasons and as a visitor in various Big 12 and SEC stadiums, Storako said no stadium in the country compares to Love’s Field.

“It doesn't even compare,” Storako said. “It's breathtaking, you see it from the street and it's still not as big as when you walk up, there's so much that goes into it. I'm here right now, this is the closest I’ve been since August and I still can't believe it. I'm so excited to see what it really all comes out to be when it’s all said and done.”

There is still work to be done and Tipton says final construction of team spaces including the new indoor practice facility, the sports medicine area and coaches offices should conclude by mid-April. He says his team and the program’s goal was to have it ready for the players to play ball and for the fans to watch some ball.

One thing is for certain, spectators will come and good softball will be played. Gasso’s team has won 69 consecutive games thanks to Kinzie's Hanson's walk-off homer in Friday's opening win over Miami (Ohio).

For Gasso, Love’s Field was the final piece of the puzzle for what is already considered the greatest softball program in the country.

“Thanks to all the hands that have created this day from our great administration, workers, the creators with the vision,” Gasso said. “This is the final piece to complete the OU softball program. This is it right here and everyone is going to follow the lead. Our team is honored to represent over 300 alumni, some that are here today on this field. We will give our best to make all of you proud.”

Even Gasso doubted the stadium would ever happen, asking Castiglione when she saw him, “Is it going to happen?”

On Friday, Castiglione finally gave her a definitive answer.

“It happened,” he said moments before he opened his scissors to cut the ribbon.

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU softball unveils Love's Field, 'final piece' of greatness puzzle