Next Generation Of OU Softball: Meet The Sooners Taking A Leading Role In The Offseason

After the team's fourth-straight NCAA national championship, new faces are set to take over the University of Oklahoma's softball team.

Monday, June 17th 2024, 10:14 am

By: News 9

NORMAN, Okla. -

After winning four-straight NCAA National Championships, seniors on the University of Oklahoma softball team are moving on to play professionally.

Catcher Kinzie Hanson signed with the Oklahoma City Spark on Friday, infielder Alyssa Brito partnered with BSN Sports as an ambassador for their SURGE program, and several others joined all-time NCAA home run leader and former Sooner Jocelyn Alo in Wichita for Athletes Unlimited three series event over the weekend.

For the younger players taking their place, high expectations await them as they develop during the offseason.

Speaking about her former teammates, current OU utility payer Ella Parker said it is their turn to carry the baton.

"Bringing us in and taking us on since the second we stepped on campus," Parker said. "It's a relay race, now it's our turn, they had some amazing things happen, and now it is our turn to fulfill that legacy."

Sooners outfielder Kasidi Pickering said when they arrived on campus, head coach Patty Gasso told the incoming players to learn as much as they could from their teammates.

"When I first got here, coach said, 'You need to be like a sponge,'" Pickering said. "You can take everything in from them."

OU pitcher Kierston Deal, now a two-time national champion, said she always dreamed of winning a title but owes everything to her faith.

"Just being able to be more public about it, as coming into a faith-based community and culture as OU is, I was like, 'This is really like the perfect time for it,'" Deal said. "God's timing was so cool."

As for their former teammates on the Oklahoma City Spark, their season opener is on Wednesday, taking on the New York Rise at 6:30 p.m. in the Scenic City Tournament in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The season opener for Oklahoma City Spark's season opener is Wednesday.

They take on the New York Rise in the Scenic City Tournament in Chattanooga, Tennessee, at 6:30 p.m.

The Spark's first home game is set for 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 27, against Great Britain in the Royal Spark Challenge.