As the Oklahoma Sooners gear up for another championship run, the outfield positions remain a key area of intrigue heading into the 2025 season. With a mix of returning talent and exciting newcomers, head coach Patty Gasso has plenty of options to work with as she builds another powerhouse lineup. While some roles appear set, others—like right field—could see a rotation early in the season as players battle for playing time. From experienced contributors to rising stars, the Sooners’ outfield is filled with speed, power, and defensive versatility, making it one of the team’s most dynamic units. With the season opener just days away, all eyes will be on how this talented group comes together in pursuit of another national title.
Right Field
The competition for Oklahoma’s starting right field position is shaping up to be an exciting battle between two talented young players, Maya Bland and Tia Milloy. Both bring tremendous potential, athleticism, and versatility to the Sooners’ lineup, making it a tough decision for the coaching staff. Bland gained valuable experience as a freshman, showcasing her speed and ability to contribute off the bench, while Milloy enters as a highly decorated high school star with an impressive offensive resume. With the season opener on Thursday, the answer may become clearer, but even then, a rotation remains a strong possibility. The Sooners have depth, and right field could see multiple players stepping into the role throughout the season as matchups and performances dictate.
Tia Milloy arrives at Oklahoma as one of the nation’s most dynamic high school prospects, bringing elite hitting, speed, and versatility to the Sooners. A left-handed-hitting utility player from Redmond High School in Washington, Milloy was a five-year letterwinner and three-time All-State selection. She was also a two-time Kingco League MVP and earned First-Team All-State honors as a utility player.
Milloy’s offensive numbers were staggering throughout her prep career. As a senior, she slashed .567/.646/1.067 for a 1.723 OPS, tallying 59 hits, 31 RBIs, and 35 stolen bases. Her junior year was equally dominant, posting a .629 batting average, a 1.900 OPS, and 17 runs scored across just 12 games. She batted .589 as a sophomore with 63 hits, 51 runs, 13 doubles, four triples, eight home runs, 25 RBIs, and 18 stolen bases, leading Redmond to the 2022 Washington 4A State Championship while earning league MVP honors.
A MaxPreps Preseason State Player of the Year selection, Milloy consistently showcased her all-around game, blending elite contact hitting with game-changing speed. She also played a key role in Redmond’s undefeated pandemic-shortened 2021 season.
With a proven ability to hit for average, get on base, and create havoc with her speed, Milloy adds another weapon to Oklahoma’s deep and talented roster as she transitions to the collegiate level.
Maya Bland made an impact in her freshman season at Oklahoma, appearing in 52 games and serving as the Sooners’ top pinch-runner. A key contributor off the bench, she tied for second on the team with eight stolen bases, converting at a 72.7% success rate.
Offensively, Bland took advantage of her opportunities, slashing .333/.444/.467 for a .911 OPS in 18 plate appearances. She recorded two doubles, four RBIs, and 24 runs scored while displaying strong plate discipline with a 16.7% walk rate.
Defensively, she saw time in the outfield, playing 18.0 innings in right field and logging an inning in left, converting her lone defensive chance. She notched her first collegiate hit with a double against Iowa State and had a breakout game at Texas Tech, scoring a season-high two runs and driving in two RBIs.
With her speed, versatility, and ability to contribute in key moments, Bland looks to build on her freshman campaign and expand her role in Oklahoma’s lineup.
Center Field
Abigaile Dayton joins Oklahoma Softball after a standout sophomore season at Utah, where she established herself as one of the nation’s top hitters. In 2024, she earned All-America honors while winning the Pac-12 regular-season batting title with an impressive .431 average. Starting all 57 games, Dayton produced a line that reads: .431/.510/.599 for a stellar 1.109 OPS, collecting 10 doubles, six triples, and two home runs. She drove in 28 runs, scored 38 times, and stole 10 bases with an 83.3% success rate.
Dayton’s plate discipline was elite, drawing walks at a 13.7% clip while striking out in just 6.1% of her plate appearances. She was also a defensive force in the outfield, recording a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage with five outfield assists. Nationally, she ranked 15th in batting average and 13th in triples, leading the Pac-12 in both categories while finishing second in on-base percentage.
Her consistency was unmatched—after February 24, her batting average never dipped below .430 over the final 46 games of the season. Dayton recorded 21 multi-hit games, including a four-hit performance with a home run and four RBIs against Wisconsin. She also secured back-to-back First-Team All-Pac-12 and All-Region honors.
Now with Oklahoma, Dayton looks to bring her elite hitting, speed, and defensive prowess to one of the premier programs in college softball.
Left Field
Kasidi Pickering made an immediate impact in her freshman season at Oklahoma, securing a key role in the Sooners’ lineup and outfield. Starting 64 games and appearing in all 66 contests, she showcased her offensive firepower with a .389 batting average, a .513 on-base percentage, and a .705 slugging percentage, good for an elite 1.218 OPS. Pickering drove in 51 runs, scored 45 times, and launched 12 home runs, along with nine doubles and a triple.
A disciplined hitter, she drew 42 walks (third-most on the team) and walked in 21.5% of her plate appearances, demonstrating an advanced approach at the plate. She recorded 18 multi-hit games and drove in multiple runs 13 times, including a career-high five RBIs in her collegiate debut against Utah Valley, where she smashed an opposite-field grand slam in her first plate appearance.
Defensively, Pickering was a steady presence in the outfield, starting 40 games in right field and 24 in left. She played 174.1 errorless innings in right, tallying 28 putouts and an assist, while maintaining a .947 fielding percentage in left.
Pickering’s clutch performances continued throughout the postseason, earning a spot on the 2024 WCWS All-Tournament Team after hitting .353 with two home runs, a double, and three RBIs. She also crushed two homers in a perfect 3-for-3 performance at the NCAA Norman Regional. Her stellar freshman campaign earned her Freshman All-America honors from Softball America and a spot on the Big 12 All-Freshman Team.
Together with teammate Ella Parker, Pickering became part of the first OU freshman duo to record double-digit home runs and 50+ RBIs in their debut season. With her power, plate discipline, and defensive skills, she looks to build on her impressive start as a key contributor for Oklahoma Softball.
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