The Oklahoma Sooners have dominated the Big 12 Conference for years upon years. Becoming a staple of the Women’s College World Series under the direction of Patty Gasso, the program continues to turn heads across the country. This year is no different as the National Fastpitch Coaches’ Poll labeled the ballclub as one of the best just ahead of the season.
After claiming a spot into the championship series last season, the Sooners compiled a 57-6 overall record. However, the squad was swept by the UCLA Bruins to close out the year. Returning ten players from that roster, Oklahoma now eyes a return to the WCWS while claiming the No. 3 ranking.
๐๐๐๐ ๐ด๐ฒ๐๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ.#Sooners hold No. 3โฃ spot in @NFCAorg/@USASoftball polls.
โก๏ธ https://t.co/LCQBs91TlM pic.twitter.com/qrNJguRjGV
— Oklahoma Softball (@OU_Softball) January 28, 2020
Leading the charge are three Preseason All-Americans which included Giselle Juarez and Jocelyn Alo as first team selections. A second team selection, the heavy hitting Grace Green rounds out the trio.
In her first year with the Sooners, Juarez stepped into the circle and dazzled fans near and far. Allowing an opponent batting average of .151, the now senior owns a place in the record books at the University of Oklahoma. Combined with 10.11 strikeouts per seven innings, it’s easy to see how dominant the lefty can be on any given night.
7โฃ #Big12SB standouts have been named @SoftbalAmerica preseason All-Americansโ
For the full list of honorees โก๏ธ https://t.co/TaR7OXVOUB. https://t.co/x3L5iGDsMk
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) January 28, 2020
A familiar face in the crimson and cream, Jocelyn Alo burst onto the scene as a freshman after crushing numerous homeruns. Although a first year player, opposing pitchers opted to pitch around the budding star. That trend continued into her sophomore season as Alo finished with a .379 batting average and 16 homers.
Following in the footsteps of the aforementioned player, Grace Green proved too good to keep off the field as a true freshman. Filling a utility role, the newcomer slammed 17 homeruns en route to a .359 batting average.