OU softball option the captain for trade after acquiring one of the best players in the country…
The eight-time national champion coach signed one of the best recruiting classes in the country to update the team in 2025, and out of the transfer portal, he signed an All-American.
Abby Dayton, a former outfielder for Utah, formally committed to OU on Sunday.
Dayton dominated the Pac-12 and was named to the NFCA Third Team All-American in 2024.
With an on-base percentage of.510 at the end of the season, she led the league in batting average (.444).
Dayton finished the season with an OPS of 1.109 despite only hitting two home runs in 72 games, with 10 doubles and 6 triples.
In 2024, she was also named to the First Team All-Pac-12 Honors.
Dayton, who attended Riverside, California’s Norco High School, has two more years to be eligible for the Sooners.
After the 2024 season ended, OU lost its two best outfield players, Jayda Coleman and Rylie Boone, to graduation. However, Dayton is expected to start next season with Hannah Coor and Kasidi Pickering, while several freshmen will compete with the senior players for playing time.
Alongside starting pitcher Kierston Deal, OU’s first baseman Cydney Sanders and designated player Ella Parker are expected back in the starting order.
Eight players from the 2024 roster are returning for the Sooners, and Oklahoma signed eight freshmen in the 2024 class.
Dayton, along with former UNC catcher Isabela Emerling, is the second newcomer to Gasso’s reconstruction this week. Gasso has been aggressively pursuing further transfer candidates, so more names should be added soon.
