Earlier this morning, Patty Gasso was confirmed…
It was confirmed earlier this morning that Patty Gasso
Patty Gasso has goals beyond taking home the title for the fourth time in a row.
For the last time, OU’s head coach wants to relish the 2024 season and watch one of the best classes she has ever coached.
Gasso stated on Monday, “It’s the end of one of the most elite classes that has ever and may ever play softball, but it’s not the end of a large, long string.”
They are unique. They are unique, and precisely what I am searching for is that their competitive spirit spreads to our freshmen as well as the rest of the team.
There will be numerous position battles across the lineup since Gasso thinks the 2024 team has one of the deepest squads she has ever put together. In order to fill the vacuum left by Grace Lyons Turk, who graduated at the end of 2023, Gasso has also rotated players, moving senior Tiare Jennings from her typical position at second base to shortstop.
Senior Alyssa Brito will continue to play third base, with redshirt sophomore Quincee Lilio, sophomore Avery Hodge, and senior Alynah Torres vying for the starting position at second base. At first base, Cydney Sanders, a junior, will begin the season.
Ella Parker, a utility freshman who “needs to be in this lineup” even if she won’t initially start over Sanders, drew praise from Gasso. The remaining outfield spots are up for grabs, but senior Jayda Coleman—the current Big 12 Player of the Year—has established herself at center field. Gasso listed Parker, Hodge, freshman Kasidi Pickering, redshirt sophomore Hannah Coor, and senior Rylie Boone—who had 61 starts in 2023—as possible left and right field options.
Gasso will be able to switch up her lineup in OU’s season-opening Puerto Vallarta College Challenge.
This first weekend will see a lot of activity, according to Gasso. Everyone needs to be given a chance to observe how they respond to it. However, it’s likely that they’ll have the best offensive matchup with their opponent. I can therefore actually bring anyone in at any time.
With 13 veterans and 8 rookies on her roster, Gasso has devoted a lot of her time to integrating the groups. With the assistance of her upperclassmen and team leaders, she aims to achieve her goal of calming the newbies’ worries.
Gasso named Jennings and redshirt senior Kinzie Hansen co-captains on Monday, so she will primarily rely on them.
“Tiare Jennings, who has more of the’speak it out’ kind, and Kinzie Hansen, who has more of the voice,” added Gasso. “I have utilized Rylie Boone.” It’s Boone who follows up with each person on a personal basis. Additionally, Jayda Coleman is only a hype lady with a wealth of softball knowledge.
In March, the Sooners host a game at Love’s Field, their new home. After seeing the new stadium, Gasso shared her opinions about it and the unique scoreboard that resembles the outline of the state of Oklahoma.
“I know it sounds a little cheesy, but when I see it, I think it’s fantastic that Joe Castiglione came up with the concept to draw the outline of Oklahoma.” It is, in my opinion, the coolest thing, stated Gasso. “I had no idea that there were grandstands above the walkway while I was standing on the field, directly in front of home plate, and staring out into the outfield. Thus, an additional 500 or 600 seats were installed. I’m standing there now, exclaiming, “Oh my, this is magnificent.”
Gasso said the Sooners will be able to play on the field even if they are not yet able to move inside the new stadium completely. The Sooners should be settled in by the middle of April, she said.
Coleman acknowledges that this team is expected to win another national championship and to extend its winning streak of 53 games, but she sees more in it than that.
Coleman remarked, “I just want to enjoy this season, and I don’t think we really need to modify anything that we’re doing.” “And keeping up with the younger bunch, just kind of passing down the knowledge that we have and letting them know it.”
Coleman feels the same way about Brito. The Sooners have a lot of expectations after their recent success, and they want to return to the College World Series. Brito is up for the adventure, even though she is aware that getting to Oklahoma City won’t be simple.
Brito remarked, “You simply come in here every day like there’s a chip on our shoulder.” “We cannot become complacent and wait for the victories to happen to us. It grinds continuously, getting harder every day.
The Puerto Vallarta College Challenge, which begins on Thursday, will provide softball fans with their first look at the Sooners. They will face tough opposition from No. 9 Duke on Thursday and No. 10 Washington on Friday.
In the long term, Brito thinks the competition this week will help the team’s performance by revealing to coaches, players, and fans just how excellent OU will be this season.
In the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge on Thursday, the Sooners will play a doubleheader against Utah Valley at 10:30 a.m. and No. 9 Duke at 1 p.m.
