Sooners Sign Five in Class of 2016

NORMAN – Oklahoma head coach Patty Gasso has announced the addition of five student-athletes that have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Oklahoma softball program in the fall of 2016.

Signing NLIs with the Sooners are Alissa Dalton (Cypress, Texas), Mariah Lopez (Saugus, Calif.), Nicole Mendes (Houston, Texas), Melanie Olmos (Riverside, Calif.) and Vanessa Taukeiaho (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.).

“The class as a whole is very athletic and it's a class that knows how to win,” Gasso said. “I've watched them win championship games and that's exciting for me because anytime an athlete can play for the ultimate prize they gain something over other athletes through experience and handling pressure situations.

“I feel like I've seen these athletes in those types of settings so that's exciting. On top of that, this class is athletic, which means to me that they're strong, powerful, quick, and they have all have been taught very well by some very good coaches.”

Alissa Dalton
5'7 // L/R // INF Cypress, Texas Cy-Fair High School @daltonalissa1 PERSONAL: Full name is Alissa Hope Dalton … daughter of Chris and Jennifer Dalton … has one brother, Josiah … chose OU over South Carolina, Texas A&M and Texas WHY OKLAHOMA? “Besides the gorgeous campus, welcoming coaches and players, and the hospitable diehard Sooner fans, I chose Oklahoma because it's my home. Every camp and every visit I attended, the University of Oklahoma embraced me with open arms... I can see myself not only growing as an athlete, but as a Christian and as a person. I strive every day to be better than the last, and every day I spend at OU I see improvements in myself and the people around me.”

Alissa Dalton

Dalton 5'7 // L/R // INF
Cypress, Texas
Cy-Fair High School
@daltonalissa1

PERSONAL: Full name is Alissa Hope Dalton … daughter of Chris and Jennifer Dalton … has one brother, Josiah … chose OU over South Carolina, Texas A&M and Texas

WHY OKLAHOMA? “Besides the gorgeous campus, welcoming coaches and players, and the hospitable diehard Sooner fans, I chose Oklahoma because it's my home. Every camp and every visit I attended, the University of Oklahoma embraced me with open arms... I can see myself not only growing as an athlete, but as a Christian and as a person. I strive every day to be better than the last, and every day I spend at OU I see improvements in myself and the people around me.”

A native of Cypress, Texas, Dalton currently attends Cy-Fair High School where she has been voted a team captain for her upcoming senior season. An injury cut short her junior season to just 12 games, but she still managed to hit .595 with 26 runs batted in, 19 runs scored, four doubles, three triples, two home runs, 10 stolen bases, eight walks and no strikeouts. She was tabbed first-team all-district and the school's Defensive Player of the Year as a junior, while as a sophomore she earned district and school Offensive Player of the Year honors.

Ranked No. 34 in FloSoftball's Top 100 for the class of 2016, Dalton was invited to try out for the USA Women's Junior National Team. She has spent the past two seasons playing for the Diamond Sports Hotshots in Tomball, Texas, with fellow signee, Nicole Mendes.

“Alissa Dalton is an infielder who is very versatile,” Gasso said. “I've seen her play third, short and second. I've seen her do pretty much everything. I think she's going to start working behind the plate a little bit to give us more options if and when we need them.

“She's a left-handed hitter that can hit for power and hit through gaps. She is a tough, tough out. She is that kind of hitter that can work the count and get what she wants. I think she's definitely going to make an impact as a freshman.”

Mariah Lopez
5'8 // R/R // RHP Saugus, Calif. Saugus High School @mariahjordannn PERSONAL: Full name is Mariah Jordan Lopez … daughter of Gama and Valerie Lopez … has two sisters, Makayla and Alexis and one brother, Gavin … uncle, Roland De la Maza, played baseball at Sacramento State, saw time in the Cleveland Indians organization and appeared in a major league game for the Kansas City Royals … cousin, Andru Cardenas, play baseball at Chico State … cousin, Ruben Cardenas, plays baseball at Cal State Fulleron … chose OU over Florida, Arizona, Washington and Fresno State WHY OKLAHOMA? “I chose OU because of its amazing legacy and for the endless opportunities I will have as a Sooner. I fell in love with OU before I was even old enough to decide on a university and knew this was my destiny. I'm looking forward to working hard, building great friendships and winning several national championships. I feel incredibly blessed to be a part of something so special.”

Mariah Lopez

Mariah Lopez 5'8 // R/R // RHP
Saugus, Calif.
Saugus High School
@mariahjordannn

PERSONAL: Full name is Mariah Jordan Lopez … daughter of Gama and Valerie Lopez … has two sisters, Makayla and Alexis and one brother, Gavin … uncle, Roland De la Maza, played baseball at Sacramento State, saw time in the Cleveland Indians organization and appeared in a major league game for the Kansas City Royals … cousin, Andru Cardenas, play baseball at Chico State … cousin, Ruben Cardenas, plays baseball at Cal State Fulleron … chose OU over Florida, Arizona, Washington and Fresno State

WHY OKLAHOMA? “I chose OU because of its amazing legacy and for the endless opportunities I will have as a Sooner. I fell in love with OU before I was even old enough to decide on a university and knew this was my destiny. I'm looking forward to working hard, building great friendships and winning several national championships. I feel incredibly blessed to be a part of something so special.”

Lopez is a senior at Saugus High School where she has earned three letters. She missed most of her junior season because of injury, but still became her school's all-time strikeout leader. In preseason limited play, she threw 124.0 innings with 194 strikeouts, a 12-2 record and 1.05 earned run average. As a sophomore, she was named Foothill League Pitcher of the Year and first-team all-conference after throwing 94.2 innings with a 15-2 record, 170 strikeouts and a 0.59 ERA in league play.

Lopez has spent the past four seasons playing for the OC Batbusters in Anaheim, Calif. She helped lead her team to Premier Girls Fastpitch National Championships 2013, 2014 and 2015. In 2015, she threw 78.2 innings with a perfect 15-0 record, 104 strikeouts and a 0.62 ERA.

“Mariah Lopez is one of those athletes that has stood in championship games,” Gasso said. “She is probably one of the best pitchers in the 2016 class, if not the best. She works in a great organization with the Batbusters and has trained well.

“I think with the combination of her, Paige (Parker) and our other freshmen who will be sophomores on the pitching staff, it's going to a tough one to beat. I think Mariah is going to do very well for us.”

Nicole Mendes
5'7 // L/L // UTL Houston, Texas @nicole_mendes_ PERSONAL: Daughter of Paul and Nina Mendes … has one sister, Brittany … chose OU over Tennessee, Missouri, Texas A&M, LSU and Texas WHY OKLAHOMA? “I chose the University of Oklahoma for several reasons. Not only does it have a strong focus on academics but it has an excellent softball program. But what makes Oklahoma really stand out to me and what makes me look forward to attending OU is how it will develop me as a person, help me grow as a leader and challenge me to accomplish my dreams. I believe that by attending the University of Oklahoma I will be in an environment that will help me reach my full potential as a student, as an athlete and as a person.”

Nicole Mendes

Nicole Mendes 5'7 // L/L // UTL
Houston, Texas
@nicole_mendes_

PERSONAL: Daughter of Paul and Nina Mendes … has one sister, Brittany … chose OU over Tennessee, Missouri, Texas A&M, LSU and Texas

WHY OKLAHOMA? “I chose the University of Oklahoma for several reasons. Not only does it have a strong focus on academics but it has an excellent softball program. But what makes Oklahoma really stand out to me and what makes me look forward to attending OU is how it will develop me as a person, help me grow as a leader and challenge me to accomplish my dreams. I believe that by attending the University of Oklahoma I will be in an environment that will help me reach my full potential as a student, as an athlete and as a person.”

Mendes has been homeschooled but spent last season playing for Diamond Sports Hotshots along with fellow signee, Alissa Dalton. This summer, she hit .355 with 27 runs scored, 20 runs driven in, two home runs and 20 stolen bases. Additionally, she threw 135.0 innings with 136 strikeouts and 1.45 ERA.

“Nicole Mendes is another one of those versatile athletes,” Gasso said. “She's a left-handed pitcher who could throw some innings for us, but she's also a phenomenal centerfielder. She also can play first base and is a very good left-handed hitter. She's got tremendous speed and a strong arm.

“I think she's one of those athletes that is very few and far between because she has the ability to pitch; it's a Shelby Pendley-style. She'll help us on the mound if we need it, but she'll also be fighting for a starting spot somewhere on the field, whether it's in the infield or the outfield.”

Melanie Olmos
5'5 // R/R // RHP Riverside, Calif. Grand Terrace H.S. PERSONAL: Full name is Melanie Karissa Olmos … daughter of Javier and Kathleen Olmos … has two sisters, Nadine and Brandice WHY OKLAHOMA? “Oklahoma was my first and only un-official visit I went on. I chose to commit to OU because of the coaching staff and the success the softball program has had throughout the years... I am looking forward to competing once I hit the field my freshman year and earn my role as a starting pitcher. I want to be the best teammate and player I can be. I plan to take my classes and schoolwork seriously so I can graduate with honors. The most important thing is to graduate with a bachelor's degree in liberal arts to help me become an elementary school teacher.”

Melanie Olmos

Melanie Olmos 5'5 // R/R // RHP
Riverside, Calif.
Grand Terrace H.S.

PERSONAL: Full name is Melanie Karissa Olmos … daughter of Javier and Kathleen Olmos … has two sisters, Nadine and Brandice

WHY OKLAHOMA? “Oklahoma was my first and only un-official visit I went on. I chose to commit to OU because of the coaching staff and the success the softball program has had throughout the years... I am looking forward to competing once I hit the field my freshman year and earn my role as a starting pitcher. I want to be the best teammate and player I can be. I plan to take my classes and schoolwork seriously so I can graduate with honors. The most important thing is to graduate with a bachelor's degree in liberal arts to help me become an elementary school teacher.”

A team captain in the past two seasons, Olmos attends Grand Terrace High School. She earned her league's MVP Pitcher Award as Grand Terrace won the league championship. En route to winning the award, Olmos struck out 188 batters in 143.2 innings with a 1.46 ERA and a 23-4 record. At the plate, she posted a .429 batting average with 25 runs scored, 28 RBI and three home runs.

She also won the league MVP Pitcher Award in 2013, while in 2014 she was named first-team all-league. Olmos has spent the last three summers playing for the Firecrackers 18 Gold team in Huntington Beach, Calif., where she helped her squad to a seventh place finish at the PGF Nationals.

“Melanie is another athlete I've watched compete for a championship in high school,” Gasso said. “Each year she's gotten better and better. She may not overpower you with her speed like Mariah does, but Melanie is more of a crafty pitcher who can spin it. You can never really square it up and hit it hard off of her because of her placement and the way she moves the ball.

“She is a good balance to what Mariah brings to the team. They are completely different, but they will complement each other very well.”

Vanessa Taukeiaho
5'5 // R/R // OF Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. Etiwanda High School @banessaaa_33 PERSONAL: Daughter of Angela Vargas and Dave Tautalafua … has three sisters, Melissa and Jessica Taukeiaho and Brianna Tautalafua, and two brothers, Darian and JD Tautalafua … chose OU over Oregon, Arizona State and Cal State Fullerton … sister, Melissa, plays softball at Cal State Fullerton … cousin, Uani Unga, played football at BYU and is now a member of the New York Giants … last name pronounced TOK-ee-ah-HO WHY OKLAHOMA? “The reason I chose Oklahoma is because the first time I stepped on the campus I instantly fell in love. I loved the atmosphere, and the people there are so nice. But what tied me into the program was definitely the coaching staff and the experiences the girls shared with me. I love how family-based it is, and they made me feel right at home; I instantly knew Oklahoma was the school for me after my visit. I am looking forward to growing and becoming a better athlete, as well as young lady, considering I will be on my own since my family lives back in California. I plan on leaving my mark at Oklahoma.”

Vanessa Taukeiaho

Vanessa Taukeiaho 5'5 // R/R // OF
Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
Etiwanda High School
@banessaaa_33

PERSONAL: Daughter of Angela Vargas and Dave Tautalafua … has three sisters, Melissa and Jessica Taukeiaho and Brianna Tautalafua, and two brothers, Darian and JD Tautalafua … chose OU over Oregon, Arizona State and Cal State Fullerton … sister, Melissa, plays softball at Cal State Fullerton … cousin, Uani Unga, played football at BYU and is now a member of the New York Giants … last name pronounced TOK-ee-ah-HO

WHY OKLAHOMA? “The reason I chose Oklahoma is because the first time I stepped on the campus I instantly fell in love. I loved the atmosphere, and the people there are so nice. But what tied me into the program was definitely the coaching staff and the experiences the girls shared with me. I love how family-based it is, and they made me feel right at home; I instantly knew Oklahoma was the school for me after my visit. I am looking forward to growing and becoming a better athlete, as well as young lady, considering I will be on my own since my family lives back in California. I plan on leaving my mark at Oklahoma.”

Taukeiaho (TOK-ee-ah-HO) has been a two-time first-team all-league honoree at Etiwanda High School. She has been her school's Offensive Player of the Year for each of the last two years and has been named the team's Defensive Player of the Year, as well. In her junior season, Taukeiaho hit .456 with 11 home runs, 32 RBI and one stolen base.

Last summer, she played for the Explosion 18U team in Irvine, Calif., and she has been ranked in the Top 20 for the class of 2016.

“Vanessa is a centerfielder who just has tremendous power,” Gasso said. “I've seen her come up clutch when needed. She's played in some great organizations and developed a presence at the plate is going to always pose a threat. She can change a game with one swing of the bat. She's a hard worker and a competitor. I'm really excited to have her.”