OU Signs Stellar Softball Recruiting Class

Dec. 10, 1999

NORMAN, Okla. - The University of Oklahoma softball team announced today that it has signed four outstanding high school players to national letters of intent. Adrianne Ratliff, Megan Hube, Kaycee Clark and Melissa Malchi will join the Sooners next fall.

This is a very strong recruiting class, said Sooner Head Coach Patty Gasso. Since we are only losing one senior (pitcher Lana Moran) at the end of this season, the future of Oklahoma softball looks very bright. Gasso said this class is very solid because each of the players are all-around athletes and can play multiple positions.

Adrianne Ratliff (Pitcher, Claremore, Okla., Claremore High School)
Ratliff is a 1999 Oklahoma All-Stater and is regarded as states best pitcher this season. She set a national high school record with 142 career wins, and also surpassed the Oklahoma state record of 131. Ratliff was a four-time Metro Lakes All-Conference selection and was named the 1999 Rogers County Player of the Year.

Bringing a left-hander to the staff is important because they seem to be very successful in college. She has achieved some great things in high school, said Gasso of Ratliff.

Ratliff led the Zebras to back-to-back 5A state championships in 1998 and 1999, and was the state tournament MVP her senior season.

She has great command of her pitches. She steps up in big games. In winning the 5A state championship, she had 14 strikeouts. She likes to be in the big games, and those are the kind of players were looking for, said Gasso.

I think her working with (sophomore pitcher) Jennifer Stewart is going to make her that much better. We hope for her (Ratliff) to make an impact immediately.

Megan Hube (Catcher, Bel Air, Md., C. Milton-Wright High School)
Hube is a two-time all-county softball selection with tremendous high school statistics. She holds single-season records at C. Milton Wright High School for batting average (.597), home runs (7) and triples (6).

Im going to need someone to take over the cathcing duties when (junior) Ashli Barrett leaves, said Gasso of Hube. She is the kind of player that lives, drinks and eats softball. Shes a good all-around athlete and has a very powerful bat.

Hube is also an outstanding volleyball player and may try out for the Sooner volleyball team. She played volleyball this fall and will finish her high school softball career in the spring.

Kristina (Kaycee) Clark (Utility, Midwest City, Okla., Midwest City High School)
Clark is also a 1999 Oklahoma All-Stater and a three-time All-Mid-State Conference selection. She traveled to Australia on an international softball tour in 1999. Clark is an all-city honorable mention basketball player, as well.

Shes just fun to watch, said Gasso. Shes a player who can play any position. She will make things happen and I see her growing into a very good athlete because shes surrounded by other good athletes.

Melissa (Missy) Malchi (Infielder, Plano, Texas, Plano Senior High School)
Malchi will join the Sooners as a walk-on next fall and will be used in the infield. She posted a .458 high school batting average and was a two-time 9-5A All-District selection in Texas. She was 1998 district utility player of the year and the offensive player of the year in 1999. Gasso believes she has a great chance to develop her skills at Oklahoma.

She has outstanding offensive potential. She can play the left side of the infield, so shes another versatile athlete, Gasso said.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

OU Signs Stellar Softball Recruiting Class

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