Oklahoma’s softball dynasty has grown even stronger. Under Patty Gasso’s masterful leadership, the Sooners have shrugged off the departure of key pitching talent by once again tapping into the NCAA transfer portal to replenish their rotation. With the SEC’s inaugural season now behind them, this move into the portal attests to Gasso’s unwillingness to let complacency take hold—a testament to her unquenchable thirst for championship pedigree and elite experience. This year’s portal pickup is Miali Guachino, a tall right‑hander from Ole Miss, and it’s adding yet another proven arm to an already formidable corps.
Just when the Sooners seemed set, Oklahoma stunned the softball world by quietly securing another talented transfer pitcher. Ole Miss freshman Miali Guachino, fresh off a standout campaign in the SEC, chose Norman over potential suitors. A tweet from Guachino summed it up: “BOOMER!! Thank you Coach Gasso, Coach Rocha and the whole staff for giving me this opportunity. Gods plan!!!!” That post confirmed what scouts already knew: Guachino is a proven winner—she started 28 games for the Rebels, amassed a 16‑11 record, and registered a 3.43 ERA with four saves en route to inclusion on the NFCA Freshman of the Year Top 25 list ).
This fills another vital gap for Oklahoma. Coming out of the 2025 campaign, returning arms like Kierston Deal and Paytn Monticelli shouldered a heavy load, but neither fully embraced ace status. Deal, a junior southpaw, labored through an unsteady season marked by a 3.42 ERA over 17 starts , while right‑hander Monticelli contributed only 21 ⅓ innings . In contrast, Guachino immediately slots in as a reliable No. 2 option behind their latest big swing: LSU transfer Sydney Berzon.
Berzon is a three‑year SEC starter carrying a career 2.02 ERA and a 52‑25 mark over 61 starts, 50 of which were complete games. She struck out 185 batters in 204 innings during her sophomore campaign, finishing with a 1.78 ERA, and has consistently received All‑American recognition—Second Team in 2024 and Third Team in 2023 . Last season, as LSU’s ace, she posted an 18‑8 record with a 2.46 ERA, notching 104 strikeouts in 139 ⅓ innings and earning Second Team All‑SEC honors . Rated as the top player in the portal by Softball America and No. 1 overall by On3, Berzon quickly chose Norman, declaring, “Norman, here I come…beyond grateful and excited for this opportunity!” .
With Berzon and Guachino onboard, the Sooners’ rotation morphs into something enviable. That familiarity bred through SEC competition gives both arms an immediate comfort with big‑game pressure. Berzon famously faced OU in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals, yielding just four runs on five hits over six innings in a narrow loss—proof she can deliver on the bright stage .
Adding Guachino alongside Berzon means Oklahoma now fields at least three experienced, SEC-tested starters for 2026. That’s not counting upperclassmen like Deal and Monticelli or youthful talents such as freshman lefty Audrey Lowry and redshirt freshman Sophia Bordi. Forward momentum is clear: a lethal peak‑ready trio, supported by veteran depth and exciting youth.
The ripple effect of this strategy is multifaceted. Firstly, it accelerates Oklahoma’s transition into elite SEC standards. The Sooners arrived in the conference in 2024 and immediately seized the SEC regular season title and shared the tournament crown in 2025 . They boasted a 52‑9 overall record and a 17‑7 mark in league play, carving an SEC identity that defied the narrative of East‑West power divides Now, bolstering the rotation with home‑grown conference stars sends a clear signal: Oklahoma isn’t merely surviving the SEC—they’re building to dominate it relentlessly.
Secondly, this transfer approach complements the influx from the portal and the 2025 recruiting class. Earlier, OU added Campbell’s redshirt senior Isabella Smith—who had a sparkling 2.01 ERA, 238 strikeouts in 206 innings, 18 complete games, and two no‑hitters —as well as Louisiana’s Sam Landry, a three‑time all‑Sun Belt ace who posted a 2.12 ERA across her career with over 460 strikeouts . Already, OU’s offseason was humming with momentum: Smith stabilized the backend, Landry powered the middle, Berzon rose as the possible ace, and now Guachino seals a strategic second‑slot presence.
Gasso’s philosophy is clear—reward the team not just with talent but with seasoned, battle‑tested contributors. In a way, it’s a hallmark of her reign: acquire players with the temperament and track record to excel in the crucible of postseason play. That same mindset fueled OU to four consecutive national championships (2017–2020), a fifth title in 2021, and back‑to‑back crowns in 2022 and 2023; Gasso is tied for most Division I softball championships as a coach The Sooners’ 59‑7 Big 12 title run in 2024 remains the stuff of legend, and their aggression in the portal speaks to Gasso’s animus toward resting on laurels—she’s wired to win, period .
But the gains go deeper than pitching. This new order nourishes locker‑room depth, hedges against injury, and enables match‑up flexibility. Guachino’s four saves signal a capacity for relief brilliance—maybe she’s the X‑factor against dynamic SEC offenses late in games. That’s a valuable weapon when facing the likes of LSU, Alabama, Florida, and Texas, all powered by multifaceted batting orders.
This balanced structure also relieves developmental pressure on younger pitchers. With veterans anchoring, freshmen like Lowry and Bordi can ease into roles without feeling the weight. That patience pays off: Bordi has impressed during fall workouts and is redshirting this season with an eye toward a breakout in 2026 . Giving her room to grow behind a veteran‑laden staff is a wise move.
The ability to reload through the portal has become a tool for elite programs, and Oklahoma is harnessing it deftly. A year after Sam Landry (formerly Louisiana) signed in July 2024 , and Isabella Smith joined via Campbell , OU’s portal orientation drew praise. Critics called Landry an “All‑Sun Belt” titan. Smith’s ability to throw no‑hitters and command long outings inspired confidence. Now, Guachino adds a fresh angle, bringing raw stuff and youth to complement Berzon’s polished experience.
This approach extends recruitment impact. Known as a destination for finishing careers in style, Oklahoma can lure transfers craving real postseason exposure. Players like Berzon, Landry, Smith, and now Guachino see Norman as a place for legacy. That reputation builds itself—soon it’ll be nearly impossible to lure a portal arm with similar experience against that backdrop.
What does this mean for the upcoming season? First, OU has a rotation structured to fire on all cylinders from Game 1. Berzon as ace, Guachino as 1B/2B glue, with Landry, Deal, Monticelli and relief arms offering strategic depth, crafts a matchup nightmare for opposing coaches. Need to silence a heavy SEC lineup? Berzon rocks prime. Need a foe neutralizer in the mid‑week? Guachino has it. Feeling warmed up late innings? Landry or Monticelli can close.
Secondly, the addition further thickens the training culture. Everyone on the mound now must match elite expectations. That drives excellence—freshmen study film with seasoned peers, veterans compete to hold their roles, pitchers push limits alongside formidable teammates. This healthy revolving door of competition ensures that stagnation is not in Norman’s vocabulary.
Thirdly, the move reinforces an off-field narrative: OU is a program with both tradition and adaptability. Gasso’s acceptance of the transfer portal—a tool some view skeptically—signals fusion with modern realities. It says she values merit over take‑home histories, recognizes the strategic boon that experienced transfers offer, and embraces full‑circle roster design.
Finally, there’s the championship calculus. Oklahoma has made nine Women’s College World Series appearances in a row and six final‑eight runs . They’re hungry for a return. The 2025 SEC co‑title showed they were right in the thick of the fight. Now, with an even better 2026 rotation, they’re not just a threat—they’re favorites.
Yes, the SEC is loaded. Karlyn Pickens at Tennessee was named Pitcher of the Year, and OU’s Sam Landry nabbed SEC Newcomer of the Year . That dynamic underscores the conference’s toughness and OU’s aspiration to thrive amid it. Being elite in Oklahoma is no longer merely about navigating the Big 12 or WCWS—it’s about proving themselves every weekend in SEC stadiums packed with rivals who view them as targets. Having a staff of SEC-tough pitchers is not luxury; it’s necessity—and a strategic shot across the bow to every team in the league.
The ripple effect isn’t limited to the diamond. Fans in Norman see it. Dodging fatigue and early postseason exits, they know their pitchers have pedigree and experience. That feeds confidence and national ranking advantage. And future recruits? Seeing OU land high-caliber transfers signals opportunity and stability—if a player wants to win now, Norman is the place.
No doubt we’ll see spirited returns this spring. Expect Berzon to lead with fire, Guachino to serve as a silent assassin, and a bullpen who won’t blink when games matter most. And as for the younger pitchers, this year offers learning in pressure-free environments with veterans by their side.
Oklahoma’s program is tradition-wrapped, legacy-driven, but also progressive and opportunistic. It’s rarified culture and smart roster moves—like the acquisition of Miali Guachino off an Ole Miss freshman class—coupled with top-tier talents like Berzon, Landry, Smith and the rest, that feed the dynasty. While pillars like Tiare Jennings, Grace Lyons, and Jayda Coleman anchor offense, pitching needs perennial reinforcement—especially in the SEC—and now it has it.
So yes, the Sooners are secure. This is another SEC pitcher secured. Another bulletproof cohort marched into Norman, strengthening both present firepower and future progression. Grand goals require elite pieces, and OU keeps grabbing them. The result? Sooners Nation can already see it: in 2026, the lineup may shine, the defense may glisten, but the team’s crown jewel will be the mound. And that mound now has yet another SEC-seasoned arm, ready to close the door on anyone who dares to think they’re done.
