Oklahoma softball has once again made a bold statement in the transfer portal, securing another SEC‑seasoned pitcher to fortify its roster for the upcoming season. Following the addition of LSU ace Sydney Berzon in early June, the Sooners surprised the softball world on July 2, 2025, by landing Ole Miss freshman Miali Guachino, enhancing their pitching depth behind Berzon and returning veterans.
Guachino’s decision to commit to Oklahoma caught many off‑guard. Head coach Patty Gasso had signaled that her staff was effectively full after Berzon’s arrival. Yet Guachino’s impressive freshman season at Ole Miss made her an irresistible option. She started 28 games, went 16–11 with a 3.43 ERA, added four saves, and earned a spot on the NFCA Freshman of the Year Top 25 list.
With this move, OU now counts seven—or possibly eight—pitchers in its projected 2026 rotation, joining Berzon, Kierston Deal, Paytn Monticelli, Audrey Lowry, Sophia Bordi, Sam Landry, and Isabella Smith . Guachino brings not only immediate depth but also long‑term upside, with the potential to emerge as a second starter this season and possibly an ace contender in subsequent ones.
This transfer comes against the backdrop of a dramatic 2025 campaign. In their first full SEC season, the Sooners finished with a dominant 52–9 record (17–7 in conference), secured a share of both the SEC regular‑season and tournament titles, and earned their spot in the NCAA Regionals and Super Regionals before a heartbreaking semifinal exit in the WCWS against Texas Tech . That semifinal finish exposed critical pitching fatigue—the kind that often derails title runs when rosters lack runway depth.
Losing senior Sam Landry, along with S.J. Geurin and Avery Hodge, left significant gaps in experience and innings . Gasso responded aggressively: Isabella Smith from Campbell, Berzon from LSU, and now Guachino from Ole Miss. Together, these transfers create a pitching staff that balances SEC postseason poise, veteran calm, and developing youth.
Clearly, this roster stacking serves three core objectives. First, it guarantees elite weekend starters: Berzon anchors the rotation while Guachino, Deal, and Monticelli can reliably step in Saturday or Sunday games, reducing overuse of any single arm. Second, it builds a competitive and developmental environment—rising freshmen like Lowry and Bordi will thrive alongside seasoned players. Third, it sends a powerful recruiting message: Oklahoma is intent on dominating the SEC.
Indeed, landing high‑caliber arms from within the SEC validates the Sooners’ brand. Each acquisition reinforces OU’s promise: join here, chase championships, and develop under one of the nation’s top coaches. As Guachino put it on X after committing, “BOOMER!! Thank you Coach Gasso…Gods plan!!!!” .
Looking ahead, the 2026 pitching staff is arguably among the nation’s—and the SEC’s—best. When you layer a seasoned ace (Berzon), a battle-tested freshman (Guachino), and proven upperclassmen (Deal, Monticelli, Landry, Smith), you build a rotation capable of shouldering the grind of weekend SEC series, NCAA Regionals, and into the WCWS. Gone are the days when the staff leaned heavily on freshmen; this is a structured, experienced ensemble built to win.
Of course, competition remains fierce. Texas Tech finished ahead in the WCWS, Texas and Tennessee are reloading, and Texas A&M just won the SEC Tournament. But Gasso is matching—and often exceeding—the caliber of arms across the conference. It’s no coincidence that as rival rosters strengthen, OU rides ahead with an even deeper staff.
Intangibly, veteran presence boosts clubhouse culture. Having players who’ve faced SEC hitters, big‑stage moments, and postseason pressure is contagious—it elevates team confidence from day one of training camp.
As the Sooners turn toward the 2026 season, eyes will be on how quickly Berzon and Guachino gel as the heartbeat of the rotation. Will Guachino step confidently into the second starter role? Will freshmen like Lowry and Bordi rise to the challenge? With the portal now closed, OU fields a fully-mapped, battle-ready, championship-grade pitching staff.
Oklahoma’s dominance in the SEC isn’t just a narrative; it’s a blueprint. Anchor every transfer class with elite arms, vet the room with postseason‑tested players, and build a future that combines development with immediate impact. When the ball first rises at Love’s Field, opponents will see a staff that’s not merely stocked—but fortified.
The Sooners have spoken with their roster moves: SEC supremacy in softball requires forethought, firepower, and not a hint of complacency. With Berzon and Guachino leading the staff, OU enters 2026 bristling with experience, depth, and a championship-ready mindset. The journey to reclaim WCWS glory just got a lot more formidable.
