Patty Gasso has built Oklahoma Softball into the sport’s gold standard, a program defined by dominance, discipline, and depth. On Wednesday, she took another step toward ensuring that standard continues well into the next decade.
The Sooners officially announced the signing of six future stars as part of the top-ranked 2026 recruiting class, per On3.com. The group — Keegan Baker, Ki’ele Ho-Ching, Jerrell “Ori” Mailo, Malaya Majam-Finch, Ella Kate “EK” Smith, and Payton Westra — represents both the national reach and championship mindset that have long defined Gasso’s powerhouse.
“This is one of the best incoming freshman classes that we’ve had in a while,” Gasso said in OU’s release. “There’s a little bit of everything from pitching to great defense, but some big-time hitters are going to make this offense powerful and elite. All of these athletes fit the Championship Mindset mentality, and we are anxious and excited to welcome them into the program.”
That “little bit of everything” is no exaggeration. From the power arms of Baker, Smith, and Majam-Finch to the athletic versatility of Ho-Ching and Mailo — capped off by Westra’s left-handed thunder — the 2026 class checks every box of a title contender’s wish list.
Oklahoma’s 2026 signees span four states and across an ocean, continuing the Sooners’ trend of recruiting nationally while maintaining key local ties. Edmond native Keegan Baker becomes the latest in-state standout to join the program, while Ho-Ching and Majam-Finch both arrive from the softball-rich Los Angeles area. Payton Westra hails from Mesa, Arizona, and Mailo continues Oklahoma’s connection to the Hawaiian softball pipeline that has produced stars like Jocelyn Alo and Ailana Agbayani.
Collectively, the group represents more than just raw talent — it’s a blend of athletic pedigree, leadership, and competitive experience on the national and international levels.
“These players all know what winning feels like,” Gasso said. “They’ve competed in the biggest moments and understand what it takes to get there.”
Keegan Baker: Oklahoma’s Next Homegrown Arm
Every championship foundation starts in the circle, and Baker might be the next in a long line of dominant Oklahoma pitchers. The Edmond Memorial star stands 5-foot-10 and commands the game with poise well beyond her years. She’s a four-time conference pitcher of the year, a state champion, and finished her senior season with a 0.70 ERA, 211 strikeouts, and just 23 earned runs across 180 innings.
“It’s been a pleasure watching Keegan play in Oklahoma, specifically as she has represented her high school and developed into having a strong presence in the circle,” Gasso said. “She’s only going to get stronger and expand her knowledge as she becomes a potent part of the pitching staff.”
Her experience pitching for Oklahoma Athletics National under coach Brian Madden only adds to her readiness. Baker, an Extra Innings First Team All-American, brings the kind of competitiveness and leadership that OU fans have come to expect from their homegrown stars.
Ki’ele Ho-Ching: A Dynamic Utility Force
Few players in the 2026 class bring as complete a toolbox as Ki’ele Ho-Ching. The Long Beach Polytechnic standout is a proven winner, hitting over .500 in every high school season while helping her team to its first-ever CIF title. Her defensive versatility — playing second, shortstop, and third for both her school and the USA U-18 team — makes her one of the most adaptable prospects in the nation.
“Ki’ele comes from a very athletic family,” Gasso said. “She’s got a strong bat, she has speed, and she’s just the epitome of an athlete that can do everything really well. We think she’s going to be an elite athlete in this program.”
Ho-Ching’s national résumé speaks for itself: USA Softball U18 World Cup Champion, PGF Futures All-American, and Alliance Championship Player of the Tournament. Her all-around skillset and leadership fit seamlessly with OU’s culture of multidimensional athletes who thrive under pressure.
Jerrell “Ori” Mailo: The Next Hawaiian Powerhouse
When Gasso talks about “the script” of elite Hawaiian players, she’s not exaggerating. From Alo’s legendary bat to Agbayani’s defensive wizardry, OU’s Hawaiian pipeline has produced program-defining talent — and Jerrell “Ori” Mailo looks poised to extend that legacy.
“What attracted us to Jerrell is her roots and who she has trained with from Hawaii,” Gasso said. “Jerrell follows that script in the way of just being an elite-level player. She’s very athletic and very hard-working at third base… her bat is what makes her lethal and will find her in the lineup.”
A five-star recruit ranked fourth nationally by On3, Mailo brings championship experience with two HHSAA state titles, multiple all-state honors, and a fierce presence at the plate. Her training under Josh Danz with LK Black Hawaii has sharpened both her defensive quickness and offensive power, giving Oklahoma another versatile infielder who thrives on the big stage.
Malaya Majam-Finch: Continuing a Legendary Lineage
The name alone turns heads, but Malaya Majam-Finch is far more than a legacy signing. The niece of Olympian and softball icon Jennie Finch, Malaya has carved her own path to becoming the No. 1-ranked player in the 2026 class by Extra Innings Softball.
“Malaya possesses a strong presence on the mound, and I believe she is only going to get better and become elite when she gets here,” Gasso said. “Her personality is a fun one, and it fits seamlessly into our program.”
Majam-Finch has been a star at every level — a CIF champion, Alliance Fastpitch All-Tournament selection, and USA Softball National performer. Her combination of power, movement, and competitiveness mirrors the kind of frontline arms that have anchored OU’s national championship runs for over a decade.
Ella Kate “EK” Smith: Two-Way Talent with Championship DNA
The Sooners have long thrived on players who can do it all, and Ella Kate “EK” Smith may be their next great two-way star. The Katy, Texas, native has shined for both Katy High School and the USA U18 National Team, earning a 0.58 ERA in the circle while hitting .614 with 15 home runs.
“We are very excited about EK and the fact that she is a two-way player as an elite pitcher and hitter,” Gasso said. “Having that duality makes her extremely valuable and dangerous. EK brings a quiet energy… she’s a fierce competitor and fits this program perfectly.”
Smith’s national recognition — from being ranked No. 3 among 2026 players by MaxPreps and Extra Innings to earning multiple All-American honors — underscores her rare blend of power and precision. With a work ethic and demeanor that draw comparisons to OU legend Keilani Ricketts, Smith could be the cornerstone of the Sooners’ next great staff.
Payton Westra: Power and Presence from the Desert
Rounding out the class is Payton Westra, a Mesa, Arizona native whose 5-foot-11 frame and left-handed power make her a natural fit in Oklahoma’s potent lineup. A three-time all-state and all-region honoree, Westra slashed an eye-popping .755/.826/1.735 in high school and was named a PGF Premier 18U National Champion and two-time All-American.
“The first thing you’ll notice about Payton is that she is a daunting presence in center field,” Gasso said. “She’s very powerful, very athletic, and she has a very intimidating look. Everything about her fits this program.”
Her athleticism extends beyond softball — she also excelled in basketball and badminton — but it’s her offensive potential that has OU fans buzzing. In a program known for lineup depth, Westra looks built to add even more thunder to the middle of the order.
The Future in Focus
If there was any doubt that Oklahoma’s dynasty is sustainable, this class removes it. With the nation’s No. 1 recruiting haul, the Sooners once again combine top-tier pitching, elite hitting, and athletic depth across every position.
For Gasso, now entering her fourth decade at the helm, the excitement isn’t just about rankings — it’s about culture.
“These athletes fit the Championship Mindset,” she said. “They’re coming here not just to play softball, but to chase excellence.”
In Norman, that pursuit never stops — it just keeps getting stronger.
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