OU softball notebook: Freshmen shine; Kelly Maxwell debuts

The surreal moment is in the books for OU softball. Former star Oklahoma State pitcher Kelly Maxwell took to the circle as OU began its fall ball Battle Series on Wednesday evening at Marita Hynes Field.

Maxwell was one of five pitchers used by head coach Patty Gasso. But all eyes were on Maxwell, wearing the crimson and cream for the first time.

“It’s been good so far,” Maxwell said. “I was grateful enough that these girls opened their arms to me and made me feel welcome from the start. It’s very competitive here. I would use that word as the difference kind of in my last fall. So it’s been good. Good transition so far.”

Maxwell shocked a lot of people by coming to the other side of Bedlam, transferring from OSU to OU. Each day, though, sounds like it’s getting more and more normal.

“It’s getting better day by day. It was weird at first,” Maxwell said. “But I’m feeling more comfortable and getting to know these guys a lot better now.”

Battle Series stats

*Freshman Kasidi Pickering hit a two-run home run off Kierston Deal.

*Freshman Maya Bland hit a two-run home run off Nicole May.

*Alyssa Brito hit a solo home run off Kelly Maxwell.

*Senior Jayda Coleman had a two-run double.

*Kelly Maxwell pitched three innings, allowing a run without a strikeout. Nicole May pitched three innings, allowing two runs and striking out three. Kierston Deal pitched 2.2 innings, giving up four runs with a strikeout.

Patty Gasso

Opening statement?

“It’s just kind of surreal to think that we’re back doing this already. I think it just feels like we just left the field not too long ago. But our freshman are really showing well. So I’m really excited about that. I think our pitching staff showed very well tonight against this hitting crew. I thought our defense was pretty good. We’ve gotta clean a few things up. We’ve still got a long way to go. I think there was nerves tonight as well. But I’m happy. I’m excited about this group and their capability and the direction we’re going. Our practices, we’re working. We’re working pretty hard each day. So felt good about tonight.”

Freshmen?

“They’re athletic. They’re nervous as all get out. I could feel that in some of the newcomers. But they were hitting balls over the fence. Making diving plays. They were really showing their athleticism. And they’re fighting for spots. And that’s really what we talk about. We’re taking stats. We’re taking everything that they’re doing so we can document it and show you what it looks like in the end. And they hear that and they’re really trying to run some numbers up and do some good things. So I was really excited about that.

“And I’ve talked to them. They actually — I had dinner with them last night. And I’m telling them, ‘you four are leading us into the SEC.’ So they took that very pridefully and I felt that tonight.”

Love’s Field progress?

“It’s like a kid. I think I told you guys this — every day you get reminded that you started over at Reaves Park and now you’re here in the duplex with the popcorn ceilings and now we’re going to a palace and it’s just hard to comprehend but it’s what has been built from the ground up and so many athletes a part of it so it’s really everybody’s new palace and I can’t wait to bring all of the alums back in so they can be part of it and watch these guys just shine on that. It is plush, it is going to be plush.

“I can’t wait for all of you to see it. I don’t think softball will have seen anything like this — not just the seating now, we’ve got it moved up to I think 4,200, which will be I believe the most capacity of any stadium so that is happening but what you won’t see is underground and that’s what the athletes’ amenities is going to be a wow factor and I can’t wait for them to see it. We walked through the framing of it. They got to see the places where it’s going to be but there’s nothing there yet and just, I remember, just hearing Rylie Boone walking out the hype tunnel out on the field and like, ‘This is like the Gladiator arena,’ and it’s like, ‘Let the lions loose, let’s go.’ I mean, they were just, there was all kinds of talk all around. It was really, really cool. I am thrilled about this and I know Jenny Love and the Love family is as well.”