Gasso Announces 2011 Signing Class of Seven Oklahomans

NORMAN, Okla. — Fresh off the program's sixth Women's College World Series appearance, Oklahoma softball head coach Patty Gasso announced the signing of seven student-athletes, all from Oklahoma, to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday. Taylor Dewbery (McAlester, Okla.), Whitney Ellis (Yukon, Okla.), Erin Miller (Tulsa, Okla.), Leslie Miller (Blanchard, Okla.), Kady Self (Edmond, Okla.), Jules Townsend (Tulsa, Okla.) and Paris Townsend (Tulsa, Okla.) will all join the Oklahoma softball program beginning with the 2012-13 season.

“I call them the 'Dream Team' because I've never had an entire recruiting class that is all from Oklahoma and the last time I had a team with a lot of Oklahomans on it, we won a national championship,” said Gasso. “I'm excited to bring them all in. They've all played with each other or against each other. They all know each other. They've all won championships in one way or another so they know how to win. They are all extremely athletic and very strong.”

Five of the seven athletes, Dewbery, Ellis, Erin Miller, Leslie Miller and Self, all played their high school softball in the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association (OSSAA) as all five have earned Oklahoma All-State honors in their careers with a combined four state titles. The two who did not, Jules and Paris Townsend, played at Holland Hall where Jules was a three-time Southwest Prepatory Conference Most Valuable Player and Paris was a two-time SPC Offensive Player of the Year.

The group encompasses several positions and provides Gasso with both pitching prowess and a number of powerful bats. Dewbery, Leslie Miller and Jules Townsend all have experience in the circle while Ellis is considered one of the best catchers in the nation. Erin Miller and Self both have the athleticism to cover the outfield while Paris Townsend is an athlete who has covered catcher, shortstop and the outfield for high school and summer clubs.

“We looked all over the country for the best pitchers, the best catchers, the best leadoff hitters and the best strength and athleticism and it all kept falling back on this group of seven athletes. I looked everywhere and these Oklahoma kids kept showing their skills so well and I kept seeing the potential they could have with us.”

The group is familiar with each other having faced each other in high school and summer action. Four the signees, Dewbery, Erin Miller and the Townsends, played together on the Oklahoma Diamond Girls summer team.

The group of seven will join the this season's current class of six freshmen to give Oklahoma 13 underclassmen for the 2013 season. OU will have just three seniors for the second consecutive year in 2012 with four juniors on the current roster and five sophomores.

TAYLOR DEWBERY
	5-6 Pitcher McAlester, Okla. McAlester HS

High School
Earned four varsity softball letters at McAlester High School under head coach Jackie Cumbie ... team captain for three years ... 2011-12 all-state, all-region and all-district ... 2011-12 district pitcher of the year ... led team to 5A state runner-up finishes in 2009 and 2010 ... state quarterfinalist in 2008 and state semifinalist in 2011... was invited to the 2010 USA Junior Olympic Team tryouts and named an alternate following the event ... hit for an average of .430 her senior year with 49 hits and 59 runs batted in with 13 home runs and 16 runs scored ... pitched 233 2/3 innings with an ERA of 1.05 and 314 strikeouts ... ended the year with a 30-9 pitching record and a fielding percentage of .912 ... four-year member of the Superintendant Honor Roll with a 4.02 grade point average ... member of the Natoinal Honor Society.

Travel Ball
Played three years for the Oklahoma Diamond Girls under coaches Jeff Allen and Randy Miller ... played with fellow signees Erin Miller and Jules and Paris Townsend ... team finished seventh at the 2010 ASA-USA 16U Nationals in College Station, Texas ... team took fourth at the 2010 Colorado Fireworks Tournament ... had a summer pitching record of 26-5 with an ERA of 1.20 in 162.67 innings pitched ... finished the summer with 123 strikeouts ... had a fielding percentage of .943.

Personal
Full name is Taylor Victoria Dewbery ... daughter of Victor Dewbery and Angie Brown .. has three sisters - Meghan Dewbery and Ally and Delaney Edwards ... chose OU over Washington, Kansas, Florida State and Tulsa.

Why Oklahoma:
"It has always been my goal to attend the University of Oklhaoma and play softball. I made the decision to attend the University of Oklahoma druing my recruiting process due to the outstanding program and winning tradition. It is my goal to win a national championship as a Sooner and continue my softball career as a USA Olympic Team member and play professional softball. I plan to complete my education at the University of Oklahoma and stay involved in the sport once my collegiate career is over."

Coach Gasso Says:
"Taylor has caught our eye for quite a long time with her command and poise in the circle. She's one of the better pitchers in Oklahoma and has shown she can win on the national scene. She's a hard worker and feisty. She can be a very good pitcher for us."

WHITNEY ELLIS
	5-10 Catcher Yukon, Okla. Yukon HS

High School
Played for head coach Jennifer Andrews at Yukon HS ... has earned four varsity letters in softball ... two-time team captain ... named all-state in 2011 ... 2011 district player of the year ... all-conference in 2009 and 2010 ... helped lead team to 2010 6A State Title ... team won regional championship in 2009 and 2010 ... state tournament semi-finalist in 2009 ... conference co-champion in 2009 ... had 50 hits with a .442 average her junior year ... drove in 52 runs with the help of 13 home runs ... had a fielding percentage of .987.

Travel Ball
Played for the Oklahoma Exclusive Gold out of Midwest City, Okla., for four years under head coach Donnie Hughes ... had 61 hits, 53 runs scored, 62 runs batted in, 12 home runs, four stolen bases and a batting average of .391 in the summer of 2011 ... team was 18&under Gold National Qualifier in both 2010 and 2011 ... placed seventh at the 2010 Colorado Fireworks 18& under gold and 12th at the 2011 Colorado Fireworks 18&under gold.

Personal
Full name - Whitney Shaelyn Ellis ... daughter of Curt and Audrey Ellis ... has one sister, Madison.

Why Oklahoma:
"The University of Oklahoma is my dream school. I looked at other schools but I knew I wanted to be a Sooner. OU was always at the top of my list. I know that Oklahoma is ready to win another national championship and I am ready to be a part of it."

Coach Gasso Says:
"We were searching for catchers and Whitney was definitely one of the best catchers we've ever seen on the national scene. She has a strong arm with the ability to pick people off. She's a good leader with a bonus that she can really swing the bat. Anyone that has seen her play in Oklahoma will say that she is one of the best catchers and one of the best athletes coming out of the class of 2012."

ERIN MILLER
	5-5 Outfield Tulsa, Okla. Jenks HS

High School
Played at Jenks High School under head coach Jeff Owens ... has earned four varsity softball letters in fastpitch and three in slowpitch ... named to the 2011 Oklahoma High School Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association All-State Team ... 2011 Frontier Valley Conference Slowpitch Offensive Player of the Year ... named to the 2011 District 6A-3 All-District First Team ... Tulsa World All-Metro First Team in 2010 ... 2009 and 2010 Frontier Valley All-Conference First Team ... 2009 Tulsa World All-Metro Second Team ... 2008 Frontier Valley All-Conference Honorable Mention ... 2011 6A Slowpitch State Champion ... 2010 6A Fastpitch State Runner-Up ... 2010 and 2011 Regional Fastpitch Champion ... 2009 6A Slowpitch State Runner-Up ... 2009, 2010 and 2011 6A Slowpitch Regional Champions ... named Academic All-Conference and Academic All-District four times ... named to Superintendent's Honor Roll four times ... led team in 2011 with a batting average of .541 despite missing the first 12 games of the season with an injury ... scored 39 runs on 53 hits ... also drove in 53 runs while hitting five home runs and stealing three bases ... had a fielding percentage of .947.

Travel Ball
Played eight years for the Oklahoma Diamond Girls under coaches Jeff Allen and Randy Miller ... lead the 2011 team with a .500 batting average ... had 62 hits, 44 runs scored, 39 runs batted in, four home runs and seven stolen bases ... had a fielding percentage of .975 ... team finished seventh at the 2010 ASA-USA 16U Nationals in College Station, Texas ... team took fourth at the 2010 Colorado Fireworks Tournament ... played with fellow signees Taylor Dewbery and Jules and Paris Townsend.

Personal
Full name is Erin Miller ... daughter of Randy and Gina Miller ... has one sister, Andrea McKee ... grandfather, Jim Johnson, played baseball at Missouri State University ... chose Oklahoma over Arizona State, Florida State, Arkansas, Oklahoma State and Tulsa ... plans to obtain a degree in journalism.

Why Oklahoma:
"I've always dreamed of attending the University of Oklahoma. Having the opportunity to get an education at OU and be a part of the Sooner softball winning tradition is a double blessing. I plan to obtain a degree in journalism and the Gaylord College of Journalism really impressed me. Since Coach Gasso and her staff made me feel so comfortable, it was really like choosing to come home. I am so proud to be a Sooner and can't wait to be a part of the University and the Sooner softball team."

Coach Gasso Says:
"Erin Miller is a triple threat. She has a lot going on for her offensively, as a leadoff batter, but she can also hit in the three hole. She's got power and she's got speed. She's very aggressive at the plate and she can lay down bunts so it's hard to defend her. She does a good job at hitting the ball to all fields. I feel like every time I see her offensively, she's always coming through in the clutch."

LESLIE MILLER
	5-10 Pitcher Blanchard, Okla. Blanchard HS

High School
Earned four varsity softball letters at Blanchard High School under head coach Larry Weaver ... led team to the 2011 and 2009 Class 4A State titles ... four-time All-Conference ... three-time Sooner Conference Player of the Year ... 2008 Sooner Conference Newcomer of the Year ... three-time little city pitcher of the year ... 2011 first team all-state ... four-time class 4A all-star team member ... named The Oklahoman's Player of the Week on Sept. 21 after throwing a pair of perfect games while allowing just one run in four games and hitting four home runs of her own ... held a 2011 pitching record of 32-1 with an ERA of 0.53 ... struck out 319 in 140 innings pitched and finished with the year with 18 shutouts and five perfect games ... had a senior year batting average of .586 with 49 hits and 39 runs batted in ... hit 12 home runs as a senior including three in the state tournament ... also lettered in basketball one year, helping team to a regional champoinship.

Travel Ball
Played five years for the Oklahoma Force under head coach Jeff Coil ... had a record of 31-4 in the circle over the summer of 2011 ... had 288 strikeouts in 179 innings pitched with an ERA of 0.96 ... recorded a batting average of .445 with 77 hits, 71 runs batted in, 16 home runs and five stolen bases ... helped lead team to a top-10 finish at the ASA Nationals ... team won Hall of Fame, ASA State and USSSA State championships ... led team to 18A World Series runner-up.

Personal
Full name is Leslie Ann Miller ... daughter of Kris and Joe Miller ... has one sister, Lauren ... chose OU over Oklahoma State and Texas A&M ... father attended OU ... uncle, Billy Hammon, was an NAIA All-American in football at East Central University.

Why Oklahoma:
"I chose the University of Oklahoma because I felt it was the best fit for me. I love the environment set by the coaches and players. The softball program is amazing and I felt completely at home. On the academic side, I think it's incredible the help that is available for student-athletes; the academic center blew me away. What I look forward to is reaching my full potential; both on the field and in the classroom."

Coach Gasso Says:
"Leslie Miller is probably one of the most dominant players, leading her high school team to a state championship, not just in the circle but at the plate as well. She's a power hitter that can come through with some big RBIs. We noticed her when she was very young and that she had the bat speed of someone like an Amber Flores which is something that you don't see very often. We knew that she was somebody that we needed to get in our lineup because I wouldn't want to face her. She's a good all-around, strong athlete who will make an impression here."

KADY SELF
	5-8 Outfield Edmond, Okla. North HS

High School
Earned three letters in varsity softball at Edmond North High School under head coach Rick Nordyke ... team was regional champions sophomore and junior years ... named all-state as a senior ... all-conference player of the year as a junior ... also all-Edmond player of the year and first team all-big city as a junior ... named first team all-conference and first team all-Edmond as a sophomore ... all-conference newcomer of the year and first team all-Edmond as a freshman ... hit .536 as a junior with 60 hits, 44 runs batted in and seven home runs.

Travel Ball
Played for five years on Oklahoma Force 94 under coaches Jeff Coil and Joe Miller ... averaged .504 at the plate in the summer of 2011 with 68 hits, 44 runs batted in and 11 home runs ... team was 2011 16U Hall of Fame Champions ... team placed second at the 2010 16U 4th of July Boulder Tournament.

Personal
Full name is Kady Sophia Self ... daughter of Gene and Jill Miles ... chose OU over Oklahoma State, Arkansas, Missouri and Southern Illinois.

Why Oklahoma:
"I look forward to playing for great coaches while getting an excellent education at a school I have always wanted to go to."

Coach Gasso Says:
"Kady Self is another good athlete overall. She runs very well and has a good bat that provides clutch power. She's a strong athlete who reminds me of Jessica Shults with her athletic ability. She's a very good center fielder who runs very well and has a good arm."

JULES TOWNSEND
	5-10 Pitcher, First Base Tulsa, Okla. Holland Hall

High School
Has earned three varsity softball letters under head coach Dave Bach ... three-time Most Valuable Player (2009, 2010, 2011) ... three-time All-SPC (2009, 2010, 2011) ... three-time All-SPC North Zone (2009, 2010, 2011) ... has helped lead team to a three-year record of 50-3 which included 2009 and 2010 SPC Division One Championships and a 2011 SPC Division One runner-up finish ... hit for an average of .633 with 38 hits, 42 runs batted in and six home runs as a junior with a fielding percentage of .956 ... had a pitching record of 18-3 with an ERA of 0.40 ... recorded 73 strikeouts in 92 innings of action ... also lettered three years in varsity basketball ... helped lead basketball team to three straight Southwest Prepatory Conference Championships and a three-year record of 57-16.

Travel Ball
Played two years for the Oklahoma Diamond Girls Gold under coaches Jeff Allen and Randy Miller ... helped lead team to a 2011 summer record of 49-5 ... squad placed 17th at the 2011 ASA Gold Nationals ... played with fellow signee Erin Miller and Taylor Dewbery.

Personal
Full name is Jules Janae Townsend ... daughter of Robert & Heidi Virdell and Billy Townsend ... joins twin sister Paris as part of the 2011 Oklahoma signing class ... has one step-brother, Brett Virdell, and one step-sister, Lindsey Virdell ... chose OU over Texas, Washington and Arkansas.

Why Oklahoma:
"I chose the University of Oklahoma because I felt the most comfortable there. Academically, I have the support needed to succeed in my classes. Overall, OU will help to prepare me for the future. Oh yeah, playing with my sister Paris is a dream come true."

Coach Gasso Says:
"Jules Townsend is someone who has been at our camps for quite a long time and we've watched both her and sister together for a while. With Jules' size, she can become a very dominant pitcher. She has worked with us, so she knows our style of play. She has a great future with us. What's nice about her is that she can really swing the bat too. She's another pitcher like Keilani Ricketts who can throw her own game and also win her own game offensively."

PARIS TOWNSEND
	5-11 Catcher, Shortstop, Outfield Tulsa, Okla. Holland Hall

High School
Has earned three varsity softball letters under head coach Dave Bach ... two-time offensive player of the year (2009, 2010) ... three-time All-SPC (2009, 2010, 2011) ... two-time All-SPC North Zone (2009, 2010) ... has helped lead team to a three-year record of 50-3 which included 2009 and 2010 SPC Division One Championships and a 2011 SPC Division One runner-up finish ... hit for an average of .613 with eight home runs as a junior with a fielding percentage of .981 ... also lettered three years in varsity basketball ... helped lead basketball team to three straight Southwest Prepatory Conference Championships and a three-year record of 57-16 ... two-time team captain and lead team in scoring and rebounding all three years of action ... three-time All-SPC and All-SPC North Zone ... Fox 23 Player of the Week ... Channel 8 Elite 8 nominee ... two-time Tulsa World Player of the Week.

Personal
Full name is Paris Nicole Townsend ... daughter of Robert & Heidi Virdell and Billy Townsend ... joins twin sister Jules as part of the 2011 Oklahoma signing class ... has one step-brother, Brett Virdell, and one step-sister, Lindsey Virdell ... chose OU over Texas, Washington and Arkansas.

Why Oklahoma:
"The reason I chose the University of Oklahoma to play softball is because I want to be a national champion. I have been familiar with the school and program since the eighth grade and absolutely love it. Playing softball with my twin sister Jules is a dream come true. I'm also interested in the medical field and OU offers several great choices."

Coach Gasso Says:
"Paris Townsend is yet another strong athlete in this class. Our plan is to use her in a variety of ways and at a variety of positions. She's a game changer who can change the dimensions of the game in just one swing. She and her sister have some great years ahead of them in our program."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Gasso Announces 2011 Signing Class of Seven Oklahomans

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