Softball Signs Four for 2022

NORMAN — University of Oklahoma softball and head coach Patty Gasso announced Wednesday the addition of four signees from the 2022 recruiting class. Joining the Sooners as freshmen for the 2023 season will be Kierston Deal, Jocelyn Erickson, SJ Geurin and Avery Hodge.

The four hail from across the country with Deal coming to Norman from Winston Salem, N.C., Erickson joining from Phoenix, Ariz., Geurin joining from Leander, Texas, and Hodge coming from Richmond, Texas.

"We have a very balanced incoming class with two very good left-handed pitchers, a lefty power hitter and a triple threat-style batter," said Gasso. "Each signee fills a need that we have and we're very excited for them to finally be on campus. They are all athletes that can compete at this level and fit our championship mindset."

All four signees rank in the top 20 of Extra Innings Softball's 2022 Extra Elite 100, including the No. 1 player in the class in Deal. Three of the four rank in the top 10 nationally per Extra Innings and all four rank in the top 10 for their respective positions. Additionally, three rank in the top 25 of Softball America's Top 100.

Meet the new Sooners below.

Lead, Deal SB NSD

Kierston Deal / LHP / Winston Salem, N.C.

No. 1 player in the class of 2022 by Extra Inning Softball
No. 1 pitcher in the class of 2022 by Extra Inning Softball
Spring 2021 (Junior season) at East Forsyth (N.C.) HS:
- 292 K, 136 IP, 0.64 ERA
- Central Piedmont Conference Pitcher of the Year
- Extra Inning Softball First Team High School All-American
Played travel ball for Mojo-Fisher (Tenn.)
Also coached by longtime pitching coach, Billy "Chief" Gerald
- Summer 2021:
  - 119.2 IP, 201 K, 17 BB (11 K/7 innings avg.), 0.79 ERA, WHIP of .652
  - PGF Nationals:
    - Team National Runner-Up
    - 62 IP, 2 ER, 0.22 ERA, .121 Opponent BA
    - .302 BA, 6 2B
    - 2021 Extra Inning Softball All-Summer Team MVP

OU head coach Patty Gasso on Deal:

"Kierston was a late find for us. She had great success in the travel ball circuit, especially this last season, and showed some dominance going through the PGF championship. She compliments our pitching staff with her intense work ethic and focus. I'm really excited for what Kierston can do for us working with (associate head coach and pitching coach) Jen Rocha."

THE DEAL FILE
PERSONAL: Daughter of Tony Tatum and Michele Deal ... Mom played college softball and basketball ... Chose Oklahoma over South Carolina, Arkansas, among others. WHY OKLAHOMA? "I loved the family atmosphere of the coaches and players at OU. I knew once I got there that I wanted to be a part of that and that I can really grow there as part of the OU family."

Lead, Erickson SB NSD

Jocelyn Erickson / UTL / L-L / Phoenix, Ariz.

Ranked No. 10 player in the class by Extra Inning Softball
Ranked No. 9 on 2021 Max Preps Top 25 Players list for the class of 2022
Ranked No. 16 via Softball America
Ranked No. 4 catcher in the class by Extra Inning Softball
2019 MaxPreps Freshman All-American Team
2019 HS Season (Junior Yr.) (2020-Covid, 2021-Injury)
- 6A Arizona State Team Champion
- .530 BA
- 26 RS, 44 H, 50 RBI, 8 HR, 2 SB
- .973 FLD %
Travel Ball – OC Batbusters-Stith (Anaheim, Calif.)
- 2019 USSSA World Fastpitch Champions
- ASA Nationals:
  - .429 BA, 4 RS, 12 H, 19 RBI, 2 HR
USA Women's Junior National Team
- 2019 Pan-American Champions with USA Softball Junior National Team

OU head coach Patty Gasso on Erickson:

"Jocelyn is very versatile. She's a left-handed catcher with a great arm as well as a left-handed first baseman, so she can do special things for us defensively. She can be a one-swing game-changer. Getting her on campus and working with (hitting coach) JT (Gasso), getting stronger and working with athletes at this level will be extremely beneficial for her. Her mindset will be able to elevate her game to a new level."

THE ERICKSON FILE
PERSONAL: Daughter of David and Jeanine Erickson ... Has three siblings, Brendon, Emilee and Kaylee ... Sisters play college softball at BYU ... Chose Oklahoma over Oregon, UCLA, Arizona, Arizona State and BYU. WHY OKLAHOMA? "I chose Oklahoma because I want to be great. Being surrounded with a family environment and championship mindset, this program is unlike any other. Greatness doesn't just stop with the softball program; it flows throughout this whole university. Everywhere you look people are pushing each other to be better versions of themselves. I hope to accomplish many things throughout my years at Oklahoma. While learning from the best, I hope to get my degree, inspire younger girls and win championships along the way. I can't wait to start my journey here at Oklahoma."

THE ERICKSON FILE

PERSONAL: Daughter of David and Jeanine Erickson ... Has three siblings, Brendon, Emilee and Kaylee ... Sisters play college softball at BYU ... Chose Oklahoma over Oregon, UCLA, Arizona, Arizona State and BYU.
WHY OKLAHOMA? "I chose Oklahoma because I want to be great. Being surrounded with a family environment and championship mindset, this program is unlike any other. Greatness doesn't just stop with the softball program; it flows throughout this whole university. Everywhere you look people are pushing each other to be better versions of themselves. I hope to accomplish many things throughout my years at Oklahoma. While learning from the best, I hope to get my degree, inspire younger girls and win championships along the way. I can't wait to start my journey here at Oklahoma."

Lead, Guerin SB NSD

SJ Geurin / LHP / Leander, Texas

Extra Innings' No. 20 ranked recruit
Extra Innings Softball's No. 7-ranked pitcher in the country
No. 25 recruit in the class by Softball America
No. 10 prospect in the class by FloSoftball
2021 Texas 5A First Team All-State and 5A 26 Pitcher of the Year
Extra Innings First Team All-American and MaxPreps All-American (2021)
Great Austin Sports Foundation Scholar-Athlete of the Year
2019 TAPPS II All-State Pitcher
2019 freshman season at Fort Bend Christian Academy (Texas):
- 2019 TAPPS II third-place finish
- 2019 TAPPS II Academic All-District
2021 junior season at Leander (Texas) HS:
- .093 ERA, 23-1 record, 272 K, 158 IP, .991 FLD %
- 5A Regional quarterfinalist
- Helped team to No. 1 ranking in the country by MaxPreps
2021 Class 5A 26 Academic All-District
Played travel ball for Texas Bombers Gold (New Braunfels, Texas) and coach Scott Smith
- 2021 Alliance National Runner-Up
- 2021 Colorado Sparkler champion
- 2021 Texas Fastpitch League champion
- 1.10 ERA, 44 IP, 43 K, 10-0 record

OU head coach Patty Gasso on Geurin:

"SJ has been committed to us for a while now. We've been following her career since she was very young. She brings a left-handed pitching presence that we've been waiting for. SJ has been dreaming of this moment and again, I'm excited for her to work with Coach Rocha and elevate her level of pitching. I believe her skillset will fit nicely into our pitching staff."

THE GEURIN FILE
PERSONAL: Daughter of Robert and Angela Geurin ... Has one sibling, Scarlett ... Father, Robert, played football at Tulsa; Mother, Angela, played softball at Tulsa; Grandfather, Bob, played baseball at Texas Tech ... Chose Oklahoma over UCLA, Oregon and Texas A&M. WHY OKLAHOMA? "I chose Oklahoma for the family atmosphere and the feeling of being home. Faith is a huge part of who I am, and I found that same value at Oklahoma. I want to continue to grow not only as an athlete, but as a person. I am excited to earn my college degree, and to compete at the highest level at Oklahoma."

THE GEURIN FILE

PERSONAL: Daughter of Robert and Angela Geurin ... Has one sibling, Scarlett ... Father, Robert, played football at Tulsa; Mother, Angela, played softball at Tulsa; Grandfather, Bob, played baseball at Texas Tech ... Chose Oklahoma over UCLA, Oregon and Texas A&M.
WHY OKLAHOMA? "I chose Oklahoma for the family atmosphere and the feeling of being home. Faith is a huge part of who I am, and I found that same value at Oklahoma. I want to continue to grow not only as an athlete, but as a person. I am excited to earn my college degree, and to compete at the highest level at Oklahoma."

Lead, Hodge SB NSD

Avery Hodge / INF / L-R / Richmond, Texas

Ranked No. 6 prospect in the country by Extra Inning Softball
No. 4 middle infielder by Extra Inning Softball
Ranked No. 22 recruit by Softball America
First Team All-District
District MVP
First Team All-Region
First Team All-State
Sophomore season:
- In pandemic-shortened 2020 season, hit .553 and scored 25 runs in 15 games.
Junior season:
- .776 BA, 48 RS, 48 H, 48 RBI, 8 HR, 21 SB, .950 FLD %
Played travel ball for Texas Bombers Gold (New Braunfels, Texas) and coach Scott Smith with fellow signee SJ Geurin
- 2021 Alliance National Runner-Up
- 2021 Colorado Sparkler champion
- 2021 Texas Fastpitch League champion
- .414 BA, 77 RS, 72 H, 26 RBI, 3 HR, 43 SB
USA Women's Junior National Team
- 2021 U18 National Team selection
- 2019 Pan-American Champions with USA Softball Junior National Team

OU head coach Patty Gasso on Hodge:

"Avery is one of the best infielders in the 2022 class. She's very athletic and makes defense look easy. She's a real gamer—athletic, sneaky speed and very quick. Triple threat-style players like Avery are the most dangerous players in college softball. Her athleticism will allow her to shine in this program."

THE HODGE FILE
PERSONAL: Daughter of Randy and Brandy Hodge ... Has two siblings, Sydney and Hadley ... Chose Oklahoma over Texas A&M. WHY OKLAHOMA? "I chose Oklahoma because it felt like the best fit for me. I love how the softball team is very faith-oriented and everyone is like a family."

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