SoonerScoop video: The next 'Go Boomer' for OU softball? NiJaree Canady?
When OU softball wants to make a transfer portal statement, it certainly does just that. The Sooners are on fire right now, after waiting patiently to begin the process.
Five days, three commitments, three positions of need. But who’s next? And what about, you know, NiJaree Canady?
The SoonerScoop Stickball crew is back to answer some of those questions. Recorded Tuesday afternoon, just hours later former BYU shortstop Ailana Agbayani announced her commitment to OU. So, yes, she was one to watch, ha.
All that’s left, at least it feels like it, is pitcher. Maybe make that plural, too. Pitchers. Because even if OU lands the crown jewel in Canady, head coach Patty Gasso would love to add a second name.
Who might that second pitcher be? Discussed in the latest video.
As for Canady? Man, just be patient. Not gonna happen today. Probably not gonna happen this weekend. It will be a process. Canady has earned that right and no team is going to dictate the terms.
OU still sitting pretty, simply have to roll with the punches. No program wants to throw in the towel until it is absolutely told it is out of the race.
OU transfer portal commitments
Ailana Agbayani, SS, BYU (2 years)
Coming off a brilliant sophomore season. Agbayani hit .424 at the plate. She had five home runs and drove in 33 runs. Agbayani also knew how to get on base, with 30 walks, hit 11 times and only struck out seven times in 165 plate appearances. She had some of her best games against the best teams. Drove in a season-high three in one game against Oklahoma State. And OU fans might remember Agbayani with four hits, two doubles and two RBIs in the shocking 9-4 win for the Cougars at Love’s Field.
Isabela Emerling, C, North Carolina (2 years)
Emerling will have two seasons of eligibility remaining and is coming off a fantastic sophomore season. Emerling hit .323 with 14 home runs and 53 RBIs. And she’ll have some guidance from a former catcher, if needed, as Kinzie Hansen is staying in Norman as a grad assistant. The leap Emerling made from freshman to sophomore season was impressive. She’s someone who is still getting better.
Abby Dayton, OF, Utah (2 years)
The batting champ of the Pac-12, hitting .431 last season. Dayton was All-Pac-12 in each of her first two seasons. She was a third-team All-American as a sophomore. Dayton added two home runs and 28 RBIs this season and earned 27 walks. Dayton also made some spectacular plays in center, something OU fans know all too well.
Who’s leaving? Who’s returning?
We’ve said it repeatedly, but again, 2025 is going to be incredibly different. There are so many names OU fans and softball fans have been accustomed to hearing that are gone.
That senior class went 235-15 with the four national championships.
“This generation, they’ve taught me a lot about coaching,” Gasso said. “They taught me how to accept who they are and how it looks. I mean, I think that has a lot to do with a lot of things, that I just allowed them to be them. It’s hard sometimes because some of it I’m like, oh, no. But it’s important to them. They’ve taught me how to coach better.”
OU lost 10 seniors. Then add another three in the portal (Avery Hodge, Quincee Lilio, SJ Geurin). Hodge is going to LSU. Geurin is headed to Auburn. Lilio, also staying in the SEC, at South Carolina.
OU has eight players coming back and is adding eight freshmen. Based on the usual OU numbers, and after adding Emerling, Dayton and Agbayani, you can assume there are at least two spots remaining.
Let the fun continue.
