Softball Season Preview

The legacy lives on.

OU head coach Patty Gasso coined the 2004 softball marketing slogan early in the fall season. By the end of fall ball, the excitement around the new-look Sooners had proven the slogan was far more than just a sales pitch.

From top to bottom, coaches to trainers, rookies to four-year veterans, everyone was saying the right things about the squad that will hit the field on the first weekend of February.

Gasso and staff have been giddy about this team since they stepped on campus in August. On the surface it's surprising because OU lost the program's most accomplished group of seniors in 2003. They were the last group to be a part of the 2000 National Championship. The group, including All-Americans Erin Evans, Leah Gulla and Kelli Braitsch, took a chunk of the OU record books with them as they moved on.

What they left was a legacy of four consecutive Women's College World Series appearances.

So as OU reloads after losing the most accomplished class in the program's history, it is the past that may be the most intuitive. In 2000, OU began the season with 10 returning letterwinners after losing seven the year before. Same as 2004. The 2000 squad featured six newcomers, five of which were freshmen. The 2004 group features six newcomers, all freshmen.

The similarities do not stop there. During its title run in 2000, OU had a left side of the infield composed of two freshmen (Gulla, Braitsch), a rookie in center field (Evans) and a number of underclassmen who played pivotal roles in OU's first NCAA title.

This year new faces will be filling holes that are questions marks entering the season, much like they were in 2000.

Freshman Norrelle Dickson will fill a nearly identical role as Braitsch did as a rookie shortstop. Fellow freshman Jamie Fox is bidding for the starting spot at third base, which Gulla occupied for four years. All-American Kami Keiter shined in 2003 and has all the potential and a similar pitching style to put together a run like Jennifer Stewart did to clinch the 2000 WCWS. Sophomore Kristin Vesely is a promising performer (2003 All-Big 12) who takes over in center for four-year starter Erin Evans.

Christina Enea and Heather Scaglione are gnawing at the bit to take over the offensive and leadership roles that Lisa Carey and Christy Ring displayed in 2000.

The goals for 2004 have not changed despite the new face of Sooner softball.

Objective No. 1: Big 12 Championship.

Objective No. 2: National Championship.

If the past always repeats itself, then 2000 is a not only a great blueprint but one riddled with similarities to the upcoming season.

The Battery
It all starts with Kami Keiter on the mound for OU. Collegiate softball is dominated by pitching and OU has an ace with All-American credentials and two seasons remaining.

Keiter will build upon a 34-9 record and 1.02 ERA from 2003 when she garnered national, regional and conference honors. The junior from Colorado already owns a number of OU career and single season records and could go down as the best pitcher in program's history.

Keiter is a known talent. Gasso knows that she'll be in the circle against Texas, Arizona, LSU, Nebraska and Fresno State when those national powers come calling. Keiter's most important role in 2004 may be guiding along No. 2 starter Nicole Denes.

“Kami is going to be critical for Nicole Denes,” said Gasso. “Jennifer Stewart left Kami with an understanding of how to throw and love to play in the biggest games. Kami will be invaluable if she can teach Nicole those attributes. It's so important for a pitcher to stand in there under enormous pressure and take control of the game.”

Denes turned a corner in her development over the summer and fall. She is becoming the dominant hurler that Gasso saw when Denes was one of the top prep prospects in the country. Denes was arguably the Sooners' most dominant pitcher in the fall and will be vital in OU's success this season. All signs point towards Denes becoming a powerful force in the circle. Keiter is a ground ball pitcher, while Denes is a power pitcher. The combination of precision and heat could give OU a pair of aces to wreak havoc on opponents, who won't see too many off days from the Sooner staff.

“Nicole Denes had an outstanding fall,” said Gasso. “She is starting to come into her own, which is good to see. Nicole has gotten those freshman jitters out of her system. She is figuring out what it takes to pitch at this level.”

Gasso expects contributions from freshman Jessica Johnson and junior April Valdez at the back end of the pitching staff.

Behind the plate is two-year starter Heather Scaglione. Scaglione's work with the tandem of Keiter and Denes will play a vital role in their development as a 1-2 punch. The junior backstop has earned All-Big 12 honors the last two seasons and is penciled in as the clean-up hitter this spring.

“I think this is going to be Scaglione's breakout year. She is one of the best catchers in the country. Hopefully she'll be garnering some All America honors at the end of the year,” said the 10th-year head coach.

Around The Horn
The only known commodity in the infield is Christina Enea. Enea earned third-team All-America honors as a freshman and was online for similar accolades in 2003. Her offensive onslaught was slowed by torn ligaments in her left elbow (lead arm of her swing). Gasso has complete confidence in Enea, who will hit in the three-spot and become a vocal leader on the young squad.

Second base is one of a number of positions that is still up for grabs. Freshman Stacia Aleman and junior April Valdez will battle for the starting nod with each bringing different dimensions to the position.

“Valdez might have an edge on defense and Aleman might have the edge on offense,” said Gasso. “That is the biggest dog fight on this team. Valdez has the edge with experience of playing at the college level, but Aleman has tremendous work habits. They both bring a lot to the table. I'm expecting that if one isn't a starter at second, that we will have to find a spot for the other on the field because they are both very good athletes.”

Expect slick fielding and ultra-talented freshman Norrelle Dickson to be the general of the infield at shortstop. Dickson, who was a McDonald's All-American as a high basketball player, is one of the most naturally talented players to work the diamond for OU. Dickson dominated for Team USA at the ISF World Championships this fall and enters the program with one the highest levels of experience on the team.

“Norelle is really smooth and has great hands,” commented Gasso. “She did an outstanding job this fall. She is really slick and deceptively quick. Offensively, we have her slated for the lead-off spot. She is going to cause havoc on the infield. She can bunt or slap the ball hard through the infield. If the outfield moves in she hit a ball through the gap.”

Another two person battle is underway at third base, where freshman Jamie Fox and sophomore Mariee Mena are making the decision tough for Coach Gasso. Fox hails from Louisiana and brings a vast array of accolades from high school and travel ball. Mena played a reserve role last season and is eyeing a starting spot in 2003.

“Both are trying to work through living in the shadows of Leah Gulla,” said Gasso. “I'm pleased with the way Mena is hitting the ball. Fox is very reactive on defense. She covers bunts well, makes good throws and has great range. Her weakness is her experience, but I'm not sure how much of a weakness that will be for her. Mena brings experience, but I think of her as our jack of all trades. I think Mena is really going to be a force for us offensively. You'll see those two hit sixth, seventh, or eighth in our lineup.”

Roaming the Outfield
OU has a new field general in the outfield. Taking on the role held by Erin Evans for four years is Kristin Vesely. Vesely was perfect in right field as a freshman when she went error-free during her debut season. Vesely will use her potent left-handed bat in the two-spot behind Dickson. The Arizona native, who also starts on OU's soccer team, was an all-conference selection as a freshman in 2003.

“Kristin reads the ball well off the bat and gets a tremendous jump on the ball,” said Gasso. “She'll be one of the better centerfielders in the league and she'll be hitting in the two-spot. When you have Norelle (Dickson) and her in the first two spots, pitchers will be faced with two tough outs at the top of our lineup. If one is struggling in the leadoff, the other can take over. They'll be able to interchange spots and they should be a great combination at the top of the lineup.”

Junior Jessica Leslie came into her own this off-season and has laid claim to the starting spot in left field. According to the OU staff, Leslie made the most significant improvements this fall.

“We've seen a giant step forward from Jessica Leslie since last season,” proclaimed Gasso. “What stands out the most is her offensive improvement. I am looking for Jessica to hit in the five or the six-spot. She is hitting the ball really solid, even when she makes an out it is a hard out.”

Right field is the only wide-open position on the team heading into February. The list of starting candidates includes Amber Spaulding, Nicki Holt, Katie Overton, Mariee Mena, April Valdez and Stacia Aleman. A large factor in the final decision in right will play out when the battles for second and third base are concluded. April Valdez and Mariee Mena are athletic and have outfield experience if they can't solidify an infield spot.

“With the depth and athleticism on this team it will really come down to offense,” explained OU's head coach. “Those that are hitting will find their way into the lineup more than others. It is something the team knows and it's something they will continue to work on.”

The Bench
Similar to a number of starting positions, Coach Gasso knows she'll have plenty of weapons on the bench, she is just not sure who will be there.

Freshman pitcher Jessica Johnson missed all of the fall games and will need some seasoning before she makes her way into the pitching rotation. Walk-on Jade Prather has excellent speed and will be called upon primarily as a specialist during her first season. Veteran Katie Overton will be called upon routinely as a defensive specialist and pinch-hitter if she doesn't end up starting in right. Nicki Holt and Amber Spaulding may also fill a number of vital reserve roles in the spring.

“We will have others on the bench that probably could start in any other program because they are that capable,” said Gasso. “The key is to make sure everybody is a contributor. We have some really good battles going on at a number of positions. Whoever wins out, I have a pretty darn-good athlete that is looking for a home. It is a pretty good problem to have.”

The Schedule
It is the same every season for OU softball. Coach Gasso schedules the toughest non-conference slate she can put together in preparation for the rugged Big 12 season.

Before OU can advance to the elimination portion of a number of tournaments this fall, it will have to face national-powerhouses Arizona, Fresno State, LSU, Florida State and DePaul.

As usual the NFCA and Kia Klassic, which are traditionally two of the toughest NCAA softball tourneys in the land, have invited OU. Oklahoma will also enter the LSU Tiger Classic and the Sunshine State Classic (Florida State) before opening the home weekend schedule with the annual OU/Nike Classic.

The Sooners host Louisville, North Carolina and Sam Houston State in the OU/Nike Classic (Feb. 20-22), which is the first tournament at the OU softball complex this spring. Newly-named Marita Hynes Field will feature New Mexico, McNeese State and Centenary for the annual OU/Worth Invitational from March 12-14.

The conference schedule features home tilts with Texas, Oklahoma State and Missouri. The Sooners face tough road trips to Texas A&M and Nebraska before closing the regular season with Tulsa for Senior Night on May 11.

The postseason schedule features three consecutive busy weekends. The Big 12 tournament runs May 13-16, while NCAA Regionals are scheduled for May 20-23 and the Women's College World Series tosses out its first pitch on May 27 and concludes on Memorial Day, May 31.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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