Sooners Hold Preseason Press Conference

NORMAN - Oklahoma softball held its preseason press conference on Tuesday evening at Lloyd Noble Center. The event began with a statement from head coach Patty Gasso followed by questions for Gasso and senior pitcher Giselle Juarez, senior outfielder Jocelyn Alo and junior catcher Lynnsie Elam.

The Sooners begin their 2020 campaign on Thursday, Feb. 6, as they take on Nevada at the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Games will be available to watch on a subscription basis through FloSoftball.

Below are excerpts from the press conference.

HEAD COACH PATTY GASSO

Opening statement:
"We're ready to go. It's kind of unbelievable that we're back hitting the dirt again, but we've worked really hard this fall. New look. New group of players. Excited to be coaching again. Really a lot of teaching going on, but they're a really talented group, so I'm looking forward to what's ahead."

On the progression of the freshmen:
"Yeah, probably magnify that (the acclimating) by a lot more because there's really nine newcomers and 10 returners, so it's a lot of teaching, learning the system, a lot of teaching from our returners as well. But I trust them. They know our system. They know the style that we need to play in order to be successful. So it's been a real big team effort, and I feel like these newcomers have really got their feet on the ground much more. I feel like we're in a really good place. In the last two weeks we've taken some really giant steps in the right direction, so I'm looking forward to seeing what it looks like without crimson and cream on the field forever. A new color uniform is going to be exciting for this group to face."

On naming two captains, Nicole Mendes and Lynnsie Elam:
"The team I let vote, and 99.9% of the time it is in alliance with what I'm feeling. Actually, for the first time since I can remember it's a tie, and Lynnsie Elam and Nicole Mendes are both going to take on the role as captain. But these players right up here are part of it as well. So it might have been voted on, but I know that these two upper classmen (Alo and Juarez) are going to be instrumental in helping, as well as others who have had college world series experience, which we've got to count on them sharing their knowledge as well."

JUNIOR UTILITY PLAYER JOCELYN ALO

On bonding with the underclassmen:
"I think the more you bond off the field it will show more on the field. So, I just like upperclassmen getting with freshmen like 'Hey, let's go get lunch.' or 'Hey, let's go hit.' Just something small like that can give you that connection on the field, so a lot of the upper classmen have been taking on the responsibility of doing that."

On the standard set by the past teams:
"Not the standard they've set but it's just the Sooner standard that we're going to be the best. I feel like just carrying on that Sooner high standard, which was set with Lauren Chamberlain's class and that 2013, the 2000, first national championship. Just keeping that Sooner standard."

JUNIOR CATCHER LYNNSIE ELAM

On the chemistry with Juarez:
"We got close very quickly last year. I felt like I caught her my whole life and we just met in January pretty much. It was kind of crazy but like she said, it's only gotten better, we've only gotten closer I feel like. I know her on and off the field like the back of my hand almost, just being with her all the time, so it's pretty cool."

On the pitching staff:
"Very talented. I'm very excited to see these new freshmen. We have three true freshmen and then (redshirt freshman) Brooke Vestal. Then, we have Giselle and Shannon (Saile), and they're all so talented. All have gotten better, so it's been a joy being able to catch so many different varieties of pitchers and just getting used to all of them and they're going to be great. I'm very excited to see them."

On the standard set by past teams:
"I think along with that, they left a great legacy but we're hungry to create our own legacy, so just kinda like Jocelyn said, just keeping the high standard and fighting for our legacy also."

SENIOR PITCHER GISELLE JUAREZ

On having a year under her belt:
"I don't know, I feel like I've been here all four years, which sounds crazy, but I mean I don't know. It was just really exciting last year, and I'm excited to get back with the team this year. We have a lot of newcomers, but I feel like they've been here forever too. It's really exciting."

On the chemistry with Elam:
"It's growing and has grown a lot. We actually have classes in the same building. Then we have a second class together, so we walk to classes together, so like it just continues to grow. Even outside of practice, like it's just grown so much. I think over the past few months."