Softball Adds Class of Seven on Signing Day

Class of 2015 Softball Signees

Fale Aviu
5'4 | Outfielder
Oceanside, Calif.
Rancho Buena Vista High School
@Fale44

High School
Has earned three letters under head coach Theresa Murillo ... 2014 All-State Under Classman by CalHiSports ... chosen as the 2013-14 San Diego Softball Athlete of the Year by the San Diego Union-Tribune ... as a junior, named to the Full Count Softball 2015 Hot 100, CalHiSports Stat Star of the Week and Softball West Magazine Best in the West Top 100 ... team captain in her junior year where she earned Team MVP and Offensive Player of the Year honors as she helped lead her school to a share of the league title ... hit .651 with 40 runs scored, 32 RBI, 14 home runs and 24 stolen bases ... also named Avocado West All-League First Team, San Diego All-CIF First Team ... San Diego Section home run leader as a junior … in sophomore season, chosen as Team MVP, Avocado West League Player of the Year, Avocado West All-League First Team and San Diego All-CIF First Team ... as a freshman, named team's Defensive Player of the Year and Avocado West All-League Second Team ... named to Principal's Academic Honor Roll (2011-14)

Travel Ball
Spent four years playing for the OC Batbusters in Anaheim, Calif., under the direction of Mike Stith and Garry Haning ... helped lead OC Batbusters to the 2014 PGF 18U Premier National Championship ... in 2012, was a member of Team Mizuno, which won the 2012 Premiers Girls Fast-Pitch 16U National Championship

Personal
Full name is Falepolima Sione Aviu … daughter of William and Patricia Aviu … has one older brother, Kava, and younger twin siblings, sister Va'asaumamao and brother D'tron

Why Oklahoma?
“I chose the University of Oklahoma not only because it was the best fit for me, but because it's like home away from home. The people are genuine and welcoming. The high standards both academically and athletically that OU, Coach Gasso, and her coaching staff has to offer is something that I am proud to be part of. I look forward to learning and growing both on and off the field while also competing to win as many national championships as possible.”

Jayden Chestnut
5'8 | Pitcher
Mustang, Okla.
Mustang High School
@Jayden_OU11

High School
Earned four letters in softball under head coach Bryan Howard … four-time Daily Oklahoman Player to Watch ... three-time All-Big City honoree ... captured 2014 6A fastpitch state championship ... two-time 6A state semifinalist ... state quarterfinalist in 2012 ... helped lead Mustang to four regional championships ... won 2014 Central Oklahoma Athletic Conference championship ... in 2014, named COAC Player of the Year and District MVP as she pitched 164 innings with a 0.92 earned run average, 242 strikeouts and a 24-3 record, and hit .356 with 27 RBI and four home runs ... chosen to 2014 6A All-State and All-Region teams ... November 2014 Wal-Mart Player of the Month and Mustang News #1 Mustang High School Athlete ... two-time All-District Team selection in 2012-13 ... team was district runner-ups in 2012 and 2014 ... named 2011 District Pitcher of the Year as team was district champions ... member of National Honor Society in 2013-14

Travel Ball
Spent three seasons playing for Rusty Fisher and the Gametime Stars before spending the past three seasons with Oklahoma Exclusive and Donnie Hughes ... will play for Gamtime Stars again in the summer of 2015 … played in the 2014 High School All-American Game at the Fireworks Tournament in Denver, Colo. ... finished fifth at the 2014 Fireworks Tournament ... finished sixth at the 2014 ASA National Tournament

Personal
Full name is Jayden Shay Chestnut… daughter of Craig and Shannon Chestnut … has one brother, Jace ... father, Craig, played football at Northwestern Oklahoma State University ... mother, Shannon, played basketball at Northwestern Oklahoma State University ... chose OU over Texas, Missouri, Auburn, Houston, Minnesota and Oklahoma State

Why Oklahoma?
“I chose the University of Oklahoma because it felt like home. I started going to pitching lessons and camps there when I was in the seventh grade, and I knew OU was where I wanted to be. To be able to represent my state and put on a Sooner uniform is a dream come true. I look forward to earning my degree in the medical field and the opportunity to win a national championship. God has truly blessed me, and I am very proud to call myself a Sooner.”

Caleigh Clifton
5'8 | Infielder
Wayne, Okla.
Wayne High School
@Caleigh_20

High School
Earned four letters under head coach Scott Brewer ... three-time Daily Oklahoman Little All-City honoree ... three-time Southern Plains Conference MVP ... in her high school career, stole 163 bases and hit 33 home runs ... as a senior, hit .481 with 52 stolen bases, eight home runs, 20 runs batted in and 47 runs scored ... junior campaign saw her hit .610 with 28 RBI, 59 runs scored, five home runs and 39 stolen bases ... helped lead Wayne to 2A state championship in 2012 as she hit .605 with 59 runs scored, 15 home runs and 28 stolen bases ... named 2011 SPC Defensive Player of the Year and collected 44 stolen bases, 61 runs, 28 RBI and five homers while hitting .594 as a freshman ... also earned three letters each playing slowpitch softball and basketball ... three-time Daily Oklahoman Little All-City honoree in basketball and two-time pick in slowpitch ... also named to Daily Oklahoman Super 5 All-State and three-tiem all-conference in basketball ... member of school's student council and honor roll all four years ... member of National Honor Society

Travel Ball
Has played the last two years with Oklahoma Exclusive Gold out of Midwest City, Okla., under head coach Donnie Hughes ... made appearances at Gold Nationals in 2013 and 2014 ... in summer of 2014, hit .391 with 32 runs scored, 17 RBI, 15 stolen bases and two homers ... in first season with Exclusive, recorded a .475 average to go with 41 runs, 25 RBI, 32 stolen bases and seven home runs

Personal
Full name is Caleigh Danielle Clifton … daughter of Dewayne and Marina Clifton … has one brother, Cody, and two sisters, Chelsea and Chloe … sister, Chloe, plays softball at Seminole State College … chose OU over Missouri

Why Oklahoma?
“I am overwhelmed with excitement to finally become a member of the OU softball program and obtain a degree from the University of Oklahoma. When I was eight years old I was practicing softball at Reeves Park across from the OU Softball Complex, and I looked at my dad and said, 'I'm going to play there some day.' Now i get the privilege to learn from the best coaches in college softball. It's always been my dream -- I've never questioned it, and I couldn't be more blessed.”

Brittany Finney
6'0 | Pitcher
Wichita, Kan.
Bishop Carroll Catholic H.S.
@B_Finney

High School
Earned four letters in softball ... transferred to Bishop Carroll in January of 2014 after playing for Maize High School ... helped lead Bishop Carroll to a state championship ... won three league titles and regional championships in her high school career ... named as StudentSports.com First-Team All-American and MaxPreps Second-Team All-American in 2013-14 ... chosen as No. 13 player in the nation by StudentSports.com in Oct. of 2014 ... in 25 games as a junior posted a 0.32 earned run average and 12-0 record with 83 strikeouts in 44 innings pitched and hit .579 with 37 runs scored, 40 RBI and 12 home runs ... placed on all-state first team and Greater Wichita Athletic League First Team in 2013-14 ... Wichita Eagle All-Metro Team in 2012-14 ... Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League Div I First-Team All-League honoree in 2012-13 ... named second-team all-state in 2012-13 ... named First Team All-North Central Kansas League and first-team all-state in 2011-12 ... also earned three letters in volleyball where she was twice named all-league by the NCKL and AVCTL and was honorable mention by the GWAL ... member of 4.0 honor roll for her entire high school career

Travel Ball
Has spent the past two seasons playing for the So Cal Explosion in Tustin, Calif., under Bret Denio ... named team captain in 2014 and led team to a fifth place finish at the 2014 Louisville Slugger Independence Day in Boulder, Colo., ... also led Explosion to a seventh place finish at the PGF 2014 Premier Nationals ... in the summer of 2014, recorded a 2.84 ERA with 79 strikeouts in 91 innings and a 16-2 record ... also hit .379 with 14 runs scored, 21 RBI, four home runs and seven doubles

Personal
Full name is Brittany Price Finney … daughter of Gary Finney and Lori Eck … siblings are Sydney Finney and Gabby and Emma Eck ... chose OU over Arizona

Why Oklahoma?
“As I began looking at colleges, a very close friend of mine told me, 'You'll know you're in the right place when you first step on campus.' She couldn't have been more right. From the moment I first saw the campus, I fell in love with the University of Oklahoma. It feels like home every time I visit. I am so blessed to be able to attend the University of Oklahoma and play for Coach Gasso, Coach Lombardi, and Coach MacKay. I cannot imagine continuing my career anywhere else.”

Shay Knighten
5'6 | Infielder
Buena Park, Calif.
Sunny Hills High School
@shay_1715

High School
Has earned three letters under head coach Art Jarman ... named the No. 5 player in FullCount Softball's Top 100 in Oct. of 2014 and the No. 4 player in Student Sports Softball's Top 100 in Jan. of 2014 ... team co-captain from 2012-14 ... as a junior, named First-Team All-State Underclass by CalHiSports in 2014 as she led her team to a conference championship, hitting .436 with 27 runs scored, 14 RBI and five home runs ... also named Second-Team All-County and Top 10 Orange County Players by OC Sidelines and Third-Team All-County and Top 10 Orange County Players by O.C. Register ... also named First-Team All-League and team MVP as a junior ... in her sophomore season, helped lead team to division finals and conference title ... was named Second-Team All-County and one of the Top Five Sophomores by the O.C. Register, First-Team All-Freeway League and won the team's batting title ... as a freshman, chosen as a Top 15 Freshman by the O.C. Register, First-Team All-Freeway League and the Sunny Hills Varsity Softball Rookie of the Year

Travel Ball
Has spent the past three seasons playing for the Corona Angels in Corona, Calif., under Marty Tyson ... was a finalist at the 2014 18U Premier Girls Fastpitch National Championship ... claimed titles at the 2014 18U Triple Crown/USA National Championships, 2014 18U ASA Champions Cup and 2014 18U Louisville Slugger Independence Day Tournament

Personal
Full name is Marshaylee Knighten ... daughter of Kenny and Marci Knighten … has two sisters, Briayna and Marjani, and one brother, Marquis ... father, Kenny, played baseball at USC ... chose OU over Cal, Nebraska, Washington and UCLA

Why Oklahoma?
“I chose Oklahoma because once I stepped foot on campus, I not only fell in love with the campus and its atmosphere, but the coaches and the players, as well. I had an instant gut feeling that the University of Oklahoma was the place for me. Iit was a feeling of home, and I could see myself loving it for many years after. I look forward to winning World Series titles, getting an education from a top collegiate school, and making friends for a lifetime.”

Kylie Lundberg
6'0 | Infielder
Lakewood, Calif.
Lakewood High School
@kylienoelle23

High School
Has earned two letters under head coach Andy Miramontes ... ranked No. 53 on the FullCount Softball Top 100 ... has helped her team to two league titles ... Lakewood was the Southern Section Div. 2 CIF Runner Up in 2012-13 ... in both her junior and sophomore seasons was named First-Team All-Moore League, Press Telegram Dream Team Second Team and the Lakewood Offensive Player of the Year ... as a junior, hit .495 with 12 home runs ... named to 2013-14 CIF Southern Section Academic Team

Travel Ball
Has played two years under SoCal Athletics for Joey Quarles ... team won the 2014 Independence Day Louisville Tournament ... hit .400 in the summer of 2014 with 21 runs scored, 36 RBI and 13 home runs

Personal
Full name is Kylie Noelle Lundberg ... daughter of Craig and Holly Lundberg ... has one sister, Kendall ... cousin, Diane Lewis, played softball at Long Beach State ... chose OU over Marshall and South Carolina

Why Oklahoma?
“During my visit to OU, I was very impressed with the feeling of unity and teamwork from not only the team, but the community. I felt like I was home and actually made my decision to commit to OU before I left the field. I started following OU softball when I was young playing rec ball when the team would travel down to Cal State Fullerton for a tournament every year. This is such a tremendous opportunity to play with such a talented group and have great coaching to lead us to another national title.”

Sydney Romero
5'7 | Infielder
San Diego, Calif.
Vista Murrieta High School
@sydneyjoy02

High School
Earned four letters under head coach Dan Torres ... three-time First-Team All-Southwestern League honoree ... 2014 Position Player of the Year by HS Game Time ... chosen by MaxPreps as a 2014 Underclass All-American and All-State for California Large Schools ... with one season to play in her high school career, has posted a .531 batting average with 74 runs batted in, 17 home runs and just three strikeouts ... in her junior season, hit .612 with 41 runs scored, 30 RBI, 11 home runs and 13 stolen bases

Travel Ball
Has played five years for the OC Batbusters in Anaheim, Calif., under the direction of Mike Stith and Garry Haning ... helped the OC Batbusters win the 18U premier national championship and Team Mizuno win the 16U national title

Personal
Full name is Sydney Joy Romero ... parents are Michael and Melissa Romero ... has two sisters, Sierra and Sophia, and one brother, Michael ... sister, Sierra, is a two-time All-American entering her junior season at Michigan ... chose OU over Michigan, Florida and UCLA

Why Oklahoma?
“I chose Oklahoma because, not only is it a great university, but also i am surrounded by the greatest softball athletes in the country competing for a national championship. Also, the coaching staff challenges each and every one of their players to be the best and to perform the best. They treats us like family... home away from home. I am looking forward to playing with all of my teammates and reaching our goal to winning a national championship.”

NORMAN – Oklahoma head coach Patty Gasso has announced the addition of seven student-athletes Wednesday that have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Oklahoma softball program in the fall of 2015.

Signing NLIs with the Sooners are outfielder Fale Aviu (Oceanside, Calif.), pitcher Jayden Chestnut (Mustang, Okla.), infielder Caleigh Clifton (Wayne, Okla.), pitcher Brittany Finney (Wichita, Kan.), infielder Shay Knighten (Buena Park, Calif.), infielder Kylie Lundberg (Lakewood, Calif.) and infielder Sydney Romero (San Diego, Calif.).

“This is one of the strongest recruiting classes in the country," Gasso said. "All of these athletes have either led their team to a championship or put them in a position to win one. They are all intense competitors that will help continue our winning tradition at the University of Oklahoma.

"Each of these athletes will arrive ready to win a starting position because they have been very well coached and have a game maturity beyond their years. They will make an immediate impact on our program."

Fale Aviu

Fale Aviu (FAH-leh AH-vyu) is an outfielder hailing from Rancho Buena Vista High School. A team captain in her junior season, Aviu was named her team's Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year as she led them to a share of the league title. She's been an all-league honoree in each of her three seasons and earned a spot on the Full Count Softball 2015 Hot 100. She has played travel ball for both Team Mizuno and the O.C. Batbusters under the direction of Garry Haning and Mike Stith.

"Fale is a versatile athlete that does many things well," Gasso said. "She has a beautiful swing and makes hitting look very easy. Fale has speed, power and is the complete package who comes through in the clutch."

Chestnut

Jayden Chestnut

One of two in-state products in the class, Chestnut helped lead Mustang High School to the 2014 Oklahoma 6A Fastpitch State Championship as she pitched 164 innings with a 0.92 earned run average, 242 strikeouts and a 24-3 record, and hit .356 with 27 RBI and four home runs. She also helped guide the Broncos to a state semifinal appearances in 2011 and 2013, as well as a quarterfinal finish in 2012. She was named the 2014 Central Oklahoma Athletic Conference Player of the Year and the District MVP. After playing with Donnie Hughes and the Oklahoma Exclusive for three years, Chestnut will spend this summer playing for the Gametime Stars under the direction of Rusty Fisher.

"I'm very proud of Jayden and her continued growth as a pitcher," Gasso said. "I'm especially proud of the way she finished her high school career as a state champion. Jayden will bring an added force to our mound and will turn some heads as a freshman."

Caleigh Clifton

(Photo via PurcellRegister.com)

A native of Wayne, Okla., Caleigh Clifton (CAY-lee) is the other Sooner State signee. She has shown a strong mix of speed and power, stealing 163 bases and hitting 33 home runs in her high school career. She helped lead Wayne High School to the 2012 state title after hitting .605 with 59 runs scored, 15 homers and 28 stolen bases. Clifton has been a three-time MVP in the Southern Plains Conference and the Daily Oklahoman has recognized her three time as a Little All-City honoree. She was a teammate of Chestnut's with the Oklahoma Exclusive under Hughes.

"Caleigh is a phenomenal athlete and a very good leader on the field," Gasso said. "She has a great sense for the game and is very instinctive. She has all the tools necessary to make a name for herself while at OU."

Finney

Brittany Finney

The other pitcher in the 2015 class, Finney helped lead Bishop Carroll Catholic to a state title in her first season in the program. In 25 games as a junior she posted a 0.32 earned run average and 12-0 record with 83 strikeouts in 44 innings pitched and hit .579 with 37 runs scored, 40 RBI and 12 home runs. She won three league titles and three regional championships throughout her high school career and earned All-American honors from both StudentSports.com and MaxPreps. She has played travel ball the last two seasons for Bret Denio and the So Cal Explosion.

"Brittany is a very strong and dominant athlete," Gasso said. "Her size and strength is intimidating when she's on the mound. She had a very good summer of softball and continues to improve, preparing herself for her future as a Sooner. Brittany is also a threat at the plate and can be a difference maker."

Knighten

Shay Knighten

An infielder attending Sunny Hills High School, Knighten guided the Lancers to a pair of conference championships, including the 2014 title when she hit .436 with 27 runs scored, 14 runs batted in and five homers. Knighten, who was named the No. 5 player in FullCount Softball's 2015 Top 100, has been recognized as an all-conference player in her three seasons and the Orange County Register has tabbed her as one of the Top 15 Freshmen, Top Five Sophomores and Top 10 Orange County Players during her time at Sunny Hills. In the summer, she plays for Marty Tyson and the Corona Angels, helping them to national titles at the 2014 18U Triple Crown/USA National Championships, 2014 18U ASA Champions Cup and 2014 18U Louisville Slugger Independence Day Tournament.

"Shay is definitely the daughter of a coach," Gasso said. "She will bring great leadership skills to our program along with speed, power and a good knowledge of the game. Shay comes from a very athletic family and I believe she will become a household name amongst the Sooner Nation very quickly. She plays with passion and is fun to watch."

Lundberg

Kylie Lundberg

Lundberg has helped guide Lakewood High School to a pair of league titles. In both her junior and sophomore seasons she was named First-Team All-Conference in the Moore League, the Press Telegram Dream Team Second Team and the Lakewood Offensive Player of the Year. As a junior, she hit .495 with 12 home runs after leading the Lancers to a Southern Section Div. 2 CIF runner-up finish as a sophomore. She was ranked No. 53 on the Full Count Softball Top 100. Lundberg has played travel ball for two years under SoCal Athletics for Joey Quarles.

"Kylie is a strong, left-handed hitting first baseman that can fit into the cleanup hitter role," Gasso said. "She can change the game in one swing. Surrounding Kylie with elite athletes will take her to another level and when she arrives she will be one of them most feared hitters in the game."

Romero

Sydney Romero

The fourth California signee, Romero has posted a .531 batting average with 74 RBI in her career at Vista Murrieta High School. In addition, she has hit 17 home runs and struck out only three times. In her junior season, she hit .612 with 41 runs scored, 30 RBI, 11 home runs and 13 stolen bases and was chosen by MaxPreps as a 2014 Underclass All-American and All-State for California Large Schools. On the travel circuit, Romero has played with Aviu on the O.C. Batbusters for Haning and Stith. Sydney's older sister, Sierra, is a two-time All-American entering her junior season at the University of Michigan.

"Sydney is a very complete player and has all the tools necessary to become a collegiate superstar," Gasso said. "She has great speed, good actions on the infield and is a pure hitter with a great eye for the ball. She comes from another very athletic family and I'm confident Sydney will become a legendary Sooner during her four years at OU."