Softball Holds Media Day on Monday

NORMAN, Okla. -- The University of Oklahoma softball team held its annual media day on Monday, Feb. 12 at the OU Softball Complex.

OU head coach Patty Gasso and select players addressed the media about the season. The 16th-ranked Sooners have started the season at 5-0 after winning the Diamond Fun and Sun Classic Championship this past weekend in Miami, Fla.

The media day was held on the week leading up to the Sooners' home opener as they host the OU/Nike Classic this weekend (Feb. 16-18) at the OU Softball Complex. OU will host Minnesota at 2:30 p.m. on Friday to kick off the tournament. Click here for more information on season tickets for the 2007 softball season.

Below is a transcript from press conference:

HEAD COACH PATTY GASSO
On winning the Diamond Fun in Sun Classic Tournament this past weekend:
“I was extremely pleased with this team this weekend. We were in the perfect place out in Florida with the weather. We played against teams that I thought would be a good match up for us at this time of the season. The first game was a testimony to what this team in store for itself in the future, and that was us being down 5-2 going into the seventh inning. I saw in the eye of our seniors that we were not going to be denied of winning this. Seven runs later, we come up with a 9-5 win.

This is a special group. They have tenacity, they have confidence. They really play well together. All of them played very well for this being our first weekend. I thought we looked very prepared. We had our signals down and they executed plays that we were going after. One thing that we could have done much better was scoring runs during RBI opportunities. We left too many runners in scoring position.

I thought for it being the first weekend that our pitchers did a very nice job of controlling the game and keeping us in games, and then taking control back of the games. Our defense was phenomenal. In five games we made one error and our fielding average was .992. It was a good all-around effort. I am really excited for what this team has in store for itself.”

2007 Schedule | 2007 Roster

On Lauren Eckermann's first outing as a Sooner:
“The first pitch she threw as a Sooner was behind the hitter, and that ended up scoring a run. That was just getting the jitters out and after that she just took control. She had a really outstanding play defensively to save a run with a diving play with two outs. That kept us in charge of the championship game. She threw very well for her first weekend out. She has been adjusting very well to the system here, and really has had a good handle on things. One thing that Lauren did really well was getting ahead. Her strike-to-ball ratio was phenominal. Every time we looked up on the scoreboard it was 0-2, 1-2 counts for her. If pitchers do that, then they will be very successful.”

On how the offense looks thus far in the season:
“We have depth. It is early and we are just getting out swings down and learning how to not get into opponents defenses. We are working on not letting the opposing pitcher set us up.. There is a lot of learning that we need to work on. We have a lot of power, we have speed and good contact hitters. I think the offense is going to be something definitely that will keep us alive, but will really put us over the top.”

“Our defense is what is going to keep us in games. Our defense is going to win us games, but our offense is definitely a big part of what is going on. We feel very balanced about what we have. We have Norrelle (Dickson) who is a table setter. One through nine in our line up can hit the ball out at any time, but they can also lay down a bunt at any time and beat it out at any time. We stole a ton of bases this weekend. That is just executing what we were trying to do at the plate. We are keeping pressure on the defense constantly. I wouldn't describe us as a big power-hitting homerun team, but I wouldn't describe us as a short game either.”

On having multiple capable pitchers on staff this year and how will they divide playing time:
“It is very easy because they (DJ Mathis and Lauren Eckermann) are both talented. DJ has got the experience from last year, and no doubt she will be right there. The two of them will work hand-in-hand and the off-set each other very well. One will make the other better, we know that. Jadyn (Smith) is chomping at the bit to also get in and help. She has accepted the role of more of a reliever. We are waiting for Morgan (Hudsonpillar) who has a shoulder problem right now and we are waiting for her to get back in this too. The three of them right now are better than any staff out there. We just need to get them on the mound, getting them comfortable and in the groove.”

On the expectations for the season:
“Very high. This team can win a Big 12 Championship and this team could get to the College World Series. Not just because of their talent, but because of the leadership and how they believe in each other. In the past, the ones that have been the most united and played the best as a team weren't always my most talented but always found ways to win. I think that was indicative of the first game. They found a way to win and they believed they could win. There was no doubt and panic. There is just a maturity the upper classmen bring and a calmness and belief in each other. I believe that will take us a long way.”

SENIOR NORRELLE DICKSON
On Gasso calling her one of the greatest players to ever play at OU:
“I think that it is awesome. She has won a national championship and Big 12 Championships, so for someone of her experience to say something like that is a great compliment."

On the impact she has on the game and teams having to game plan for her:
“I didn't really realize it until about halfway through last season when I noticed the opposing coach would step out of the dugout and give instructions to their defense as I was coming to the plate. I never noticed that before. I just try to go up their and get on base. I don't care if I get hit by a pitch or reach by an error.”

Dickson on Video | Part 2

SOPHOMORE PITCHER DJ MATHIS
On how much she learned from her experiences from last year:
"Coming into last year, there were a lot of things that I needed to learn. At the end of the season we came together and realized that you can't go out and expect to shut everyone down. We learned that hitting our spots and getting ground balls and pop ups is just as effective. I think getting all of the experience last year helped our team get back on track at the end of the season.”

On the addition of pitcher Lauren Eckermann:
“It is great having Lauren here. She had such great starting weekend and it is just going to make our team even better with the pitching staff that we have. It is going to give us a better chance of getting to the World Series."

Mathis on Video

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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