OU softball transfers ready to keep it going

Everybody knows the OU softball team in 2025 is going to look a lot different. The group that carried the Sooners to being four-time defending national champions are, for the most part, gone.

But head coach Patty Gasso just keeps it rolling. A fresh batch, including some dynamite freshmen and elite transfers, and here we are again.

OU softball held a local media day for the freshmen and transfers. Able to talk to 12 of the 13, only missing out on Isabela Emerling because of a class conflict.

Here’s some of the best of the best of what they had to say.

Transfers

OF Abigale Dayton

Playing against OU as a freshman?

“We played against them my freshman year. And I just remember I was, like, guns to the wall, like, we’re going. Like, you just want to play your A-game against them because they were so good. And it was like, how do I play my best and beat them? And it was just like, it brought out a different emotion and player in every single girl that was on the field that day. And I think that’s what OU softball has brought to the softball program in general, just like softball all over, that they have brought a different competitiveness, and just being able to see the game grow in that kind of aspect.

“Playing against them, it was like, you’ve got Rylie Boone and Jayda Coleman, they’re screaming and, like, after that day, I was like, ‘OK, that’s how I want to be.’ Like, ‘I want to have that energy.’ I want to bring my team with that kind of just emotion, they get on base, and they’re like screaming at their dugout. And it wasn’t like against the other team, like they were excited for their team, they were excited that they got on base. And I was like, that’s the emotion I want to have. And so I think they just grew the game in that type of way where it’s like everyone wanted to be like them, and not more of like a… it was competitive, and that was great, but it was like they showed what a good role would be like, what you want to be like.”

IF/P Ailana Agbayani

Balance of handling OU expectations?

“At least for me? I don’t really think of the past too much. Yes they’re amazing and they’ve always been known for having a strong program but I think she recruited all of us and she knows obviously what she’s doing and I think it’s always good just to really not think and compare yourself to others and really just be your own person because that’s what’s got all of us here. So I think really just not looking too much at the past and embracing how we are as people and softball players and playing the game like we know and with their amazing coaching. And I think that we have a really great team this year and we’ll continue to be great.” 

P Sam Landry

How OU uses transfer pitchers?

“And then when it comes to the transfer pitchers, I think that just gave it kind of a new opportunity. It’s like I have the opportunity to play. I’m going to work for that opportunity because nothing is given in this sport, especially at this school, so it just pushed me to want it more.”

P Bella Smith

Transfer portal process to bring you to OU?

“At the end of our season at Campbell, I wasn’t 100 percent sure that I was even going to transfer. It was a thought in my head and it was something I just leaned on God for and I prayed and I was like God just tell me what I’m supposed to do. I’m very based on everything happens for a reason and that God was going to give me a sign.

“And when I got the sign that I needed I knew it was time. And then JT actually reached out to me first and asked if he could set up a call with him and the other coaches and then I think a few hours later Coach Gasso called me. We had a pretty lengthy, really amazing conversation. And then the next morning Coach Rocha called me. We got on the phone talking about like what bullpens were like and things like that, me just trying to get more information. And then we set up a visit. And then here I am.”