Patty Gasso clarifies status of Campbell transfer Bella Smith

While things haven’t gone according to plan for Oklahoma pitcher Bella Smith this fall, head coach Patty Gasso is still pleased with the hurler. And the reason for the hiccups has nothing to do with the pitcher, from what Gasso explained recently.

Speaking with media after a recent fall ball game, Gasso explained that Smith has been held out of competition due to a transfer complication that stems from her previous school. Smith transferred from Campbell and the necessary documentation and paperwork wasn’t sent to Oklahoma in time, Gasso said.

“Status-wise she’s doing everything at practice,” Gasso said. “The problem was a transfer situation where her other university did not get things to us in proper timing and so we couldn’t do anything about it. So she’s missed out on eight games.”

And in lieu of fall ball action, Gasso has pitted the new pitcher against the Sooners star-packed lineup during practices and scrimmage frequently during the week.

“We’ve put her against us probably two times, sometimes three times a week just to keep her working and keep that kind of competitive spirit,” Gasso said.

Whenever Smith does get eligible — it appears the expectation is that will happen well before the spring — Gasso is excited to see what she brings to Oklahoma’s pitching lineup.

After spending a redshirt year at James Madison in 2021, Smith transferred to Campbell and worked into the pitching lineup. In 2024, she starred for the Camels, posting a 1.65 ERA and a 26-7 overall record. She threw 18 complete games and nine shutouts and a pair of no hitters. And Smith parlayed that stellar 2024 campaign into a transfer to Oklahoma, where she’ll spend her final year of college eligibility playing.

And as the Sooners chase an historic fifth-straight national champions, that group — and Smith’s contributions — will be critical.

“I do,” Gasso said about liking Smith’s contributions to the staff. “I like our staff. I think it’s very diverse and it can do a lot of things.”