OU softball not slowing down, No. 1-ranked 2025 class in the books

OU softball is just going to keep on rolling. You say goodbye to a loaded and championship senior class, now say hello to the No 1-ranked recruiting cycle.

A group of six comprise what head coach Patty Gasso is bringing to OU and hoping to bring more championships for the 2026 season and beyond.

“Our staff is very pleased to sign another No. 1 class in the country,” said Gasso in a press release. “This group of six represents one of the most athletic and powerful recruiting classes we have ever assembled. The thought of merging them with our returners next season is incredibly intriguing. It’s an extremely talented class that will help keep our program at the top.”

OU just concluded fall ball for the 2025 season last week.

SOPHIA BORDI / RHP / MERCHANTVILLE, N.J.

Story (from SoonerSports.com): A right-handed pitcher from Haddon Heights High School in Addon Heights, N.J. … Two-time Gatorade New Jersey Player of the Year … Has led her team to two state titles and earned tournament MVP honors … Three-time team MVP … Three-time first-team all-state selection … Three-time first-team all-conference honoree … Named Curios Post Pitcher of the Year as a sophomore and junior … Volunteers with the Dreamality foundation.

Gasso on Bordi

“Sophia brings a lot to the table. She is an elite pitcher, having won championships in both high school and travel ball. She is also elite offensively. She brings power from the right side and we expect her to be an integral part of our program. I’m very excited about Sophia’s future as a Sooner.”

LEXI McDANIEL / IF / ST. JOSEPH, MO.

A right-handed-hitting infielder from St. Joseph Christian School in St. Joseph, Mo. … Plays softball at the travel ball level as her school does not sponsor a program … Also stars in basketball and earned two district titles while adding all-conference, all-district and offensive MVP accolades … National Honor Society member and secretary … High honor roll student … Interact Club member … Volunteers with multiple organizations including Mosaic Hospital, the Elementary Basketball League, the Salvation Army and Soles for Christ … Alliance Players Advisory Committee member.

Gasso on McDaniel

“Lexi is a versatile athlete who I’ve seen play all infield positions. She also has an elite bat and has increased her power in the last year. I consider her one of the most powerful hitters in the 2025 class. She can change a game with one swing and we are looking forward to having her play a large role in our offensive attack.”

KAI MINOR / OF / IRVINE, CALIF.

Story: A left-handed-hitting outfielder from Orange Lutheran High School in Orange, Calif. … Career .465 hitter with a .561 on-base percentage, 112 hits, 13 home runs, 52 RBIs, 96 runs scored and 48 stolen bases on a 98% success rate … Has led her team to three Trinity League championships and a runner-up finish at the California Division 1 Southern Section tournament … Two-time CIF Division 1 First Team honoree … Trinity League MVP … Three-time OC Register All-Orange County First Team selection … Three-time SB Live All-State pick … Three-time member of the LA Times All-Star and Cal-Hi Sports All-State teams … named the Cal-Hi California Freshman of the Year … Co-MVP of the Michelle Carew Classic and three-time all-tournament selection at the event … Holds a 4.2 GPA and has been an honor roll student in each semester.

Gasso on Minor

“Kai is a speedy left-hander who can hit with power or drop a bunt at any time. She is a complete athlete with power, speed and agility. Kai has earned many honors both in high school and with the Batbusters organization, and has been training hard to be ready as soon as she arrives on campus. That type of mindset will serve her well throughout her career. She will be a nightmare for opposing pitchers.”

ALLYSSA PARKER / RHP / POCOLA, OKLA.

A right-handed pitcher from Pocola High School in Pocola, Okla. … 2024 Gatorade Oklahoma Player of the Year … 2A-11 District Player of the Year … Four-time county tournament MVP … Owns three state runner-up finishes with Pocola … Led her basketball team to the 2022 2A State title and earned tournament MVP honors … Guided Pocola to a slowpitch state championship … Honor roll student … Class president … Student council vice president … National Honor Society member.

Gasso on Parker

“Allyssa is the most versatile athlete of this 2025 class. She can do it all. She will find time on the mound, is a talented shortstop and she caps it off by being an elite, powerful hitter. Our lone Oklahoman, Allyssa will be a fan favorite and she has the potential to be mentioned in the same breath as Keilani Ricketts. I’m very excited about her future as a Sooner.”

KENDALL WELLS / C / BOGART, GA.

Story: A right-handed-hitting catcher from North Oconee High School in Bogart, Ga. … Has produced 127 hits, 55 home runs, 184 RBIs, 148 walks, 162 runs scored and 62 stolen bases while slashing .625/.775/1.595 for a 2.370 OPS as a prep … 2024 Gatorade Georgia Player of the Year finalist … Named to the 2023 GACA Juniors All-Star Game and won the home run derby with a record 49 homers … Tied the state home run record as a sophomore with 24 when she led North Oconee to a third-place finish at the state tournament … 2023 NFCA All-Region First Team … 2023 GACA AAAA and GACA AAAA Player of the Year … Two-time all-region and 2024 first-team all-state selection in basketball with career averages of 12.2 points and 9.5 rebounds … Four-year member of the Beta Club … Earned the EPOCS Award for AP Calculus … Instructs softball and basketball camps at her high school.

Gasso on Wells

“The best catcher in the 2025 class is Kendall Wells. She is the complete package. She has great catching fundamentals with a very strong arm. She also swings an extremely strong bat and will change games with one swing. On top of all that, she’s an effective leader and I foresee her being a team captain one day.”

BERKLEY ZACHE / RHP / NILES, MICH.

Story: A right-handed pitcher from Saint Joseph High School in South Bend, Ind. … 2023 MaxPreps All-America First Team selection … Three-time all-state honoree … Three-time all-conference selection … 2024 conference MVP … Led Saint Joseph to the 2022 Class 3A State Championship … Holds her program’s single-season records for strikeouts, ERA, no-hitters, perfect games, consecutive scoreless innings and shutouts … National Honor Society member … High honors student … Has logged over 80 hours of volunteer service as a prep.

Gasso on Zache

“Berkley is one of the best young pitchers in the country. She has height and levers that help her own things when she’s on the mound. Her variety of pitches is what makes her so effective when it comes to strikeouts. I’m looking forward to watching Berkley grow as a pitcher with Coach (Jen) Rocha and dominate. She’s another player with a bright future.”