NORMAN, Okla. — We at the moment are only a month away from the two-straight defending nationwide champion Oklahoma Sooners taking the sphere for the primary time in Irvine, Calif., on the Mark Campbell Invitational. When they do, they’re going to be taking their second crack at becoming a member of UCLA as the one program to seize three consecutive nationwide titles.
The anticipation, in fact, is barely rising by the day. And that is after a fall the place the Sooners showcased all their returning and incoming expertise in an unimaginable Oklahoma Battle Series.
“I was very pleased, very pleased with especially the Battle Series and the things that happened in that, just the growth that we had,” said head coach Patty Gasso. “And I would think if I was a fan, I would really want to come watch that because you’re watching All-Americans against All-Americans. And I thought we just got so much better and they were competing. They never got bored. I think the fans coming out really helped them want to play harder. That, to me, was just the highlight of our fall, was just going after each other that way, sellout crowds, television involved, which really helped kind of catapult softball into the fall. And I like how we’re kind of setting those standards from a sport point of view.”
OUInsider.com requested Gasso numerous different questions in an unique interview. Take a have a look at what all of the GOAT needed to say.
(Follow all issues Sooners — take 5 seconds to join our FREE Sooners newsletter now!)
What it means to her that folks everywhere in the nation are following their fall softball and what meaning for the game: “Yeah, we’re reaching new heights, and I guess it goes to show don’t ever be afraid to ask because we asked; and when we did ask, they said, ‘We can think about that. Let us think about that.’ And then when the sellout crowds were coming and now you’ve got a full stadium, it felt like a spring game. And we’re selling out. People are trying to get in still in fall. It’s unheard of. So, I was really pleased with what that atmosphere created for our team as well.”
How she feels about getting all of the newcomers acclimated: “I think, yeah, we made some really good strides with that. It’s always hard because they have to learn a new system offensively, just culture wise. But they blended really well. They still have some work to do in certain positions and learning new positions. I’ve really pushed everyone to try to adopt another position that they’re really good at. If you can do that, you open up opportunity to play.”
On feeling good with the pitching employees additions: “Yeah, absolutely. I think Alex Storako is gonna be fantastic, and a healthy Jordy Bahl, obviously. Nicole May really got better, in my mind, this fall. And we’ve got these two lefty freshmen that can get us some outs as well. So, I’m really, really excited about putting them all together. I think it’s gonna be really, really good.”
On Kinzie Hansen being a lot more healthy now than final spring: “Yeah, she’s got her face back. You know, she was just in a lot of pain. But you can see in her body language and her facial expressions that she’s feeling much better. And we figured out a few things, but rest was really important, too. So, we tried to keep her off of it until the doctors had some solutions for her. But I’m really anxious to see her. She’s so pumped to get back into it and being back to the player that she was.”
What participant will doubtlessly get away for them subsequent 12 months: “One person that’s really been shining is Cydney Sanders. I know you’re talking about her. You’re probably talking about freshmen. I think Kiersten Deal is going to do a good job as a lefty. Jocy Erickson. Jocelyn Erickson has been hitting the ball really hard. I don’t know yet. I don’t know. I mean, they’re just—I don’t know. I don’t know who that is yet.”
How Jennings has dealt with the potential of being one of many faces of faculty softball like All was: “Yeah, I think she probably knows that may be something on her the spring. But, I mean, she just handles herself so well behind or in front of Jocy that I don’t know it’s going to be that much different because now I have Cyd Sanders. And so I don’t think she’s gonna feel that heavy weight on her. And with a lineup that swings so well, I think she’ll be pretty free in the way she is gonna go about it.”
How she feels about her protection: “We’ve lived the fall without Grace Lyons. And that’s kind of hard, but it gave our freshman, Avery Hodge, a lot of work there and a chance to work with Grace. Alyssa Brito is really good at third. She’s really done a good job of securing that position. And Grace back, Tiare back, Cyd Sanders has been working at first. I’ve worked a little bit of Sophia [Nugent]. She’s been swinging the bat. Nugent might be that name that you’re searching for. I’ve got four outstanding catchers. And it’s so [deep]. Then, I’ve got Boone, and I’ve got Jayda [Coleman]. And then the person that’s really been hitting the ball well is Alynah Torres. And trying to teach her left field, and she’s just a natural infielder so she doesn’t like to get close to the wall. Another name that is gonna maybe [stand out] is Jordy. I think you’re gonna see Jordy more. You’re gonna see her have at-bats and maybe playing some in the outfield as well. Yeah, so the defense is going to be just as good, I believe.”
On their 4 new signees: “I’ll start with Ella Parker. She started—the first time I saw her was as a pitcher, a left-handed pitcher. She kind of stepped away from pitching to concentrate more on her offense. But she has a swing that is powerful, game changing. Her and Jocy Erickson were like 3-4 in their lineup and they were just brute. It would be like Tiare [Jennings], Jocelyn Alo. That’s what they were in the travel ball scene, two big bombers. So, her bat is elite. She can play first. She can play the outfield. We want to get her back to pitching because she’s really, really good. And simply, now she has more time in training that we can get there. So, I think she’s gonna be a game changer. Kasidi Pickering, we had our eyes on her for such a long time. Another lefty. We have a lot of lefties now. Lefty elite hitter. Great centerfielder, runs well. She is just a natural leader. And I’ve never really heard someone truly lead from the outfield, but she does that. She’s very loud and does a good job with that. Nelly McEnroe-Marinas [brings] power, more power righty. She has claimed that she’s going to take Jocelyn’s crown when she arrives. Power, power third baseman, corner style athlete. She really loves defense. And she’s good. But, I mean, our offense is filling the roles of Tiare and [Alyssa] Brito and those guys that are going to be leaving. These young ones get to train with those guys who’ve been their teammates back in the day, and it’s really kind of a full circle moment for those. And Maya Bland is another Batbuster who her and Ella Parker played with Tiare, Brito, all of them. I relate her to kind of like a Rylie Boone. She can hit it deep. She can slap it. She can bunt it. She can beat it out.”
put up credit score to Source link