Romero, Juarez Make Player of Year Top 26

WICHITA, Kan. — Oklahoma senior infielder Sydney Romero and junior pitcher Giselle Juarez have been named two of the 26 finalists for the 2019 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, USA Softball announced Wednesday.

No. 1/1 Oklahoma is one of just seven programs in the country to have multiple finalists for the award, which is considered the most prestigious honor in NCAA Division I softball.

Romero currently ranks fourth in the country in total bases (129), ninth in hits (65), 11th in batting average (.451) and slugging percentage (.896), 12th in runs per game (1.14), 20th in home runs (15), 22nd in strikeout rate (28.8 at-bats per strikeout) and 29th in RBIs. The senior third baseman leads all active Division I players with 295 career hits and 786 career at-bats. She ranks second with 511 career total bases, third with 203 RBIs and fourth with 210 runs scored.

In her first season in the Crimson and Cream, Juarez is a perfect 18-0 in 24 appearances (18 starts). Over 103.1 innings this season, the All-American has struck out 140 batters while holding opponents to a .155 batting average. A native of Glendale, Ariz., Juarez ranks ninth nationally in strikeout-to-walk ratio (6.46) and 16th in strikeouts per seven innings pitched (9.2).

The top 10 finalists will be announced May 8 and the top three announced May 22. The 2018 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year will be revealed May 28.

Oklahoma alumna and current volunteer assistant coach Keilani Ricketts was a two-time recipient of the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award.

The Sooners are back in action on Wednesday night as they face Wichita State at 6 p.m. in Wichita.