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The college softball transfer portal is officially open.
After Oklahoma failed to make the Women's College World Series for the first time in over a decade, the Sooners will look to the portal to strengthen its roster and fill some holes.
"We definitely are going to take a look-see in the portal to see what we can find for sure," Gasso told KREF last week. "We don't need a lot, don't need much at all. We'll be looking."
OU brings in a stacked freshman class next season. The Sooners have lost Tia Milloy, Berkley Zache and Riley Zache to the portal thus far.
OU will almost certainly look to add a pitcher and a backup catcher through the portal and potentially an infielder to compete at first or second base.
Here's what to watch with the Sooners as the transfer portal opens:
More: OU softball transfer portal tracker 2026: Who has left, joined Patty Gasso's Sooners?
The Sooners' most glaring issue in 2026 was the lack of an ace in the circle.
Neither Miali Guachino or Audrey Lowry panned out to be aces and LSU transfer Sydney Berzon had a disappointing season. But Gasso made clear following OU's early exit in the Super Regional that she's excited about the staff moving forward.
“We’ve got the stuff. We’ve got to have the trust," Gasso said. "We’ve got to have the confidence, but we are excited about this pitching staff, and they did learn — and should learn a lot, and I know they’re getting better each year."
Will the Sooners go after an elite ace? It remains to be seen, but it will likely cost them.
OU will also need to add depth pieces at catcher, as well as in the infield and outfield.
More: Super 16 college softball rankings: Can anyone top Texas in way-too-early poll?
There aren't a ton of available aces in the portal to go after, but former LSU standout Jayden Heavener might be the best pitcher in the portal to date.
Heavener, a sophomore this past season, owned a 2.81 ERA with 128 strikeouts compared to 78 walks in 139 ⅓ innings.
The portal will be open for two weeks and more players will start to enter Monday.
Retention will also be a massive priority for the Sooners. Locking up Gabbie Garcia, Kai Minor and Kendall Wells is essential, but anything can happen in the era of the portal.
MUSSATTO: With Texas repeat following OU softball four-peat, it's clear sport runs through Red River
Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at [email protected] or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing adigital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU softball portal primer: What to expect, potential candidates
Continue reading...
After Oklahoma failed to make the Women's College World Series for the first time in over a decade, the Sooners will look to the portal to strengthen its roster and fill some holes.
"We definitely are going to take a look-see in the portal to see what we can find for sure," Gasso told KREF last week. "We don't need a lot, don't need much at all. We'll be looking."
OU brings in a stacked freshman class next season. The Sooners have lost Tia Milloy, Berkley Zache and Riley Zache to the portal thus far.
OU will almost certainly look to add a pitcher and a backup catcher through the portal and potentially an infielder to compete at first or second base.
Here's what to watch with the Sooners as the transfer portal opens:
More: OU softball transfer portal tracker 2026: Who has left, joined Patty Gasso's Sooners?
What is OU's biggest need in transfer portal?
The Sooners' most glaring issue in 2026 was the lack of an ace in the circle.
Neither Miali Guachino or Audrey Lowry panned out to be aces and LSU transfer Sydney Berzon had a disappointing season. But Gasso made clear following OU's early exit in the Super Regional that she's excited about the staff moving forward.
“We’ve got the stuff. We’ve got to have the trust," Gasso said. "We’ve got to have the confidence, but we are excited about this pitching staff, and they did learn — and should learn a lot, and I know they’re getting better each year."
Will the Sooners go after an elite ace? It remains to be seen, but it will likely cost them.
OU will also need to add depth pieces at catcher, as well as in the infield and outfield.
More: Super 16 college softball rankings: Can anyone top Texas in way-too-early poll?
Potential OU softball targets
There aren't a ton of available aces in the portal to go after, but former LSU standout Jayden Heavener might be the best pitcher in the portal to date.
Heavener, a sophomore this past season, owned a 2.81 ERA with 128 strikeouts compared to 78 walks in 139 ⅓ innings.
The portal will be open for two weeks and more players will start to enter Monday.
Retention will also be a massive priority for the Sooners. Locking up Gabbie Garcia, Kai Minor and Kendall Wells is essential, but anything can happen in the era of the portal.
MUSSATTO: With Texas repeat following OU softball four-peat, it's clear sport runs through Red River
OU softball lineup projection before portal opens
- CF: Kai Minor
- RF: Ella Parker
- C: Kendall Wells
- DP: Kasidi Pickering
- SS: Gabbie Garcia
- 3B: Nelly McEnroe-Marinas
- LF: Sydney Barker
- 1B: Lexi McDaniel / Allyssa Parker / transfer portal player
- 2B: Allyssa Parker / Lexi McDaniel / transfer portal player
- P: Audrey Lowry / Miali Guachino / transfer portal player
Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at [email protected] or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing adigital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU softball portal primer: What to expect, potential candidates
Continue reading...
