The Southeastern Conference wasted no time reminding everyone what Oklahoma softball has walked into — and why the Sooners are still very much at the center of the national conversation.
When the SEC released its 2026 Preseason All-Conference Team and Coaches’ Poll on Thursday, four Oklahoma players were named among the league’s best: Gabbie Garcia, Nelly McEnroe-Marinas, Ella Parker and Kasidi Pickering. Only one program in the conference placed more players on the preseason team, and Oklahoma’s No. 2 preseason ranking — just three points behind Texas — underscored a reality that has become familiar over the last decade.
The Sooners are still fairly new to the SEC, but they are not new to expectations.
For Patty Gasso’s program, the preseason recognition reflects both what Oklahoma accomplished a season ago and what this roster still represents as the sport’s balance of power continues to shift east. Eleven of the SEC’s 15 programs placed at least one player on the preseason team, yet Oklahoma’s four selections signal a depth of elite, proven production that few teams can match entering the 2026 season.
Star Power at the Core
At the center of Oklahoma’s preseason accolades is Gabbie Garcia, who emerged last year as one of the most dangerous hitters in the country. The sophomore was named an NFCA Third Team All-American in 2025 after leading the Sooners with 20 home runs, while also earning Second Team All-SEC honors and a spot on the SEC All-Defensive Team. Garcia’s combination of power and defensive reliability made her one of the most complete players in the league, and her return gives Oklahoma a middle-of-the-order anchor who has already proven she can carry an offense in high-pressure moments.
Garcia’s development is emblematic of Oklahoma’s ability to reload without rebuilding. Despite losing veteran production after its move into the SEC, the Sooners leaned on younger players to shoulder responsibility immediately — and Garcia did more than answer the call. Her power surge came against elite pitching, and her defensive recognition reflects a trust level rarely given to underclassmen.
Alongside Garcia on the infield is Nelly McEnroe-Marinas, who enters her redshirt sophomore season after one of the most impressive freshman campaigns in the conference. McEnroe-Marinas was named a First Team All-SEC selection in 2025, leading the league with 11 home runs in conference play. She started all 61 games at third base and earned a spot on the NFCA Freshman of the Year Top 25 list, a testament to her immediate impact at one of the game’s most demanding positions.
McEnroe-Marinas’ consistency was as important as her power. Starting every game at the hot corner in the SEC is no small feat, and her ability to anchor the left side of the infield while providing run production made her indispensable. Entering 2026, she gives Oklahoma stability at third base and a proven bat capable of changing games with one swing.
Leadership from the Juniors
While Garcia and McEnroe-Marinas represent the program’s rising core, Ella Parker and Kasidi Pickering return as the team’s junior leaders — and as proven postseason performers.
Parker’s resume speaks for itself. The right-handed hitter earned NFCA First Team All-American honors in 2025 and added her second Women’s College World Series All-Tournament selection after delivering one of the defining moments of Oklahoma’s season. Parker drove in all four runs in a 4–3 win over No. 7 Tennessee in the opening game of the WCWS, a performance that highlighted her ability to deliver when the stage is biggest.
That moment encapsulated Parker’s value to this roster. She is not just a statistical force; she is a situational hitter who thrives under pressure. In a conference where postseason success is often determined by one swing, Parker’s presence in the lineup gives Oklahoma a calm, experienced voice in the batter’s box.
Pickering, meanwhile, remains one of the most disciplined and productive outfielders in the nation. Also named an NFCA First Team All-American last season, Pickering hit .392 with 18 home runs, drove in 57 runs, and drew an eye-opening 51 walks while spending much of the year in the leadoff spot. Her First Team All-SEC recognition reflected both her offensive production and her understanding of the strike zone.
Pickering’s ability to get on base, extend at-bats and punish mistakes makes her the engine of Oklahoma’s offense. Whether she’s setting the table or driving in runs, she forces opposing pitchers to adjust early — and often. With another year of experience, she enters 2026 as one of the most complete offensive players in the SEC.
A Conference-Wide Statement
The four Oklahoma selections placed the Sooners second in the SEC in preseason honorees, trailing only Texas — a fitting detail given the preseason coaches’ poll.
Texas was picked to win the conference with 189 points and nine first-place votes, narrowly edging Oklahoma, which earned 186 points and six first-place votes. Tennessee slotted in at third, followed by Florida and Arkansas, creating a top tier that reflects the SEC’s growing dominance in the sport.
For Oklahoma, the No. 2 ranking is less about perceived shortcomings and more about respect for the depth of the league. The SEC is loaded with proven arms, power hitters, and postseason-tested rosters, and there is no margin for error across a conference schedule that includes Texas, Tennessee, Florida, LSU and Texas A&M.
Yet Oklahoma’s position near the top confirms that the program’s national standing has not changed. If anything, the preseason projections suggest the Sooners are still viewed as one of the few teams capable of surviving the weekly grind of the SEC and emerging with a championship-caliber resume.
What It Means for 2026
Preseason honors do not win championships, but they do reveal how a team is perceived — and Oklahoma enters 2026 viewed as both dangerous and complete. The Sooners boast elite power in the middle of the lineup, disciplined on-base threats at the top, and infield stability built on players who have already endured SEC pressure.
More importantly, the four preseason selections represent leadership across multiple positions. Garcia and McEnroe-Marinas anchor the infield. Parker provides postseason-tested run production. Pickering sets the tone offensively and defensively in the outfield. Together, they form the spine of a roster that blends youth, experience, and championship expectations.
As Oklahoma prepares for another season under Gasso, the message from the rest of the league is clear: the Sooners are already one of the SEC’s standard-bearers. And if preseason recognition is any indication, Oklahoma’s pursuit of another deep postseason run will once again run through players who have proven they belong among the nation’s best.