When you talk about dynasties in college athletics, a few names instantly come to mind—UCLA basketball, Alabama football, UConn women’s hoops. But in the world of NCAA softball, one name towers above the rest: Oklahoma. Built on grit, power, and the unmatched brilliance of head coach Patty Gasso, the Sooners have become the gold standard in the sport. With seven national championships (and counting), the crimson and cream have not just dominated—they’ve shaped the narrative.
And now, we’re stepping into rare air.
Who are the 10 greatest Oklahoma softball players ever?
This isn’t just about stats—it’s about dominance, clutch gene, championship pedigree, and the kind of legacy that still echoes in Norman. The women on this list didn’t just win—they changed the game. Some of these names are obvious. Others may cause a stir. And one? Well, she just might be the GOAT of college softball, period.
Let’s get into it.
10. Nicole Mendes (2017–2021)
Position: Outfield
Championships: 3 (2017, 2021, redshirted in 2020)
When it comes to versatility, Mendes was one of the most valuable weapons in Patty Gasso’s arsenal. A lefty bat with serious pop and blazing speed, Mendes was a freshman sensation in 2017, helping OU capture a national title. What made her special? Her adaptability. She hit anywhere in the lineup, made diving catches in the outfield, and delivered in clutch postseason moments—none bigger than her towering home run in the 2021 Women’s College World Series.
She wasn’t the flashiest, but ask any Sooner fan: Nicole Mendes was as reliable as they come.
9. Paige Parker (2015–2018)
Position: Pitcher
Championships: 2 (2016, 2017)
If you’re going to build a championship team, you start in the circle—and Paige Parker was the heartbeat of two back-to-back national title runs. Calm, poised, and surgical, Parker’s rise coincided with Oklahoma’s second golden era. Her dominance in the 2016 WCWS was legendary, logging more than 800 pitches over seven games.
By the time she graduated, Parker was a four-time All-American and had 123 career wins. Her legacy? One of the greatest big-game pitchers in program history.
8. Sydney Romero (2016–2019)
Position: Infielder
Championships: 2 (2016, 2017)
Romero was the spark plug that lit up Oklahoma’s offense during their repeat championship years. Her elite bat speed, rocket arm at third base, and intense competitive edge made her a fan favorite. Romero’s 2019 season was arguably one of the best ever by a Sooner—she batted .427 with 20 home runs and 57 RBIs.
As the younger sister of Michigan legend Sierra Romero, Sydney carved out her own legacy—and in Norman, she’s royalty.
7. Rylie Boone (2020–2024)
Position: Outfield
Championships: 3 (2021, 2022, 2023)
The heartbeat of the modern Oklahoma dynasty, Rylie Boone is all gas and no brakes. Her energy is contagious. Her glove? Golden. And when you need a spark at the top of the lineup, Boone always delivers.
She isn’t just a slap hitter. She’s evolved into a multi-dimensional threat who can stretch a single into a double, rob hits in the outfield, and turn the tide of a game with one swing or slide. Boone’s passion made her a crowd favorite and a locker room leader.
6. Jocelyn Alo (2018–2022)
Position: Designated Player/Utility
Championships: 2 (2021, 2022)
The NCAA’s all-time home run queen. Period.
Jocelyn Alo didn’t just break records—she smashed them into the next universe. With 122 career home runs, she became the most feared hitter in softball history. Pitchers tried everything—walks, changeups, riseballs—nothing worked.
Her 2021 and 2022 championship runs were seismic. She blasted moonshots in front of packed WCWS crowds and carried the Sooner offense when it mattered most. More than her power, it was her swagger. Alo played with fire and flair, and her impact on the game goes far beyond Norman.
So why isn’t she higher? We’ll get there.
5. Tiare Jennings (2021–2024)
Position: Infielder
Championships: 3 (2021, 2022, 2023)
You could argue that no player in OU history has had a more consistent and complete offensive career than Jennings. She came in as a freshman and hit 27 home runs. Her career totals? Eye-popping.
Clutch hits? Check. Gold glove defense at second and shortstop? Check. Quiet leadership? Check. Jennings is the definition of a five-tool player. While others might have grabbed headlines, Jennings was the glue that held it all together for the three-peat championship run.
4. Keilani Ricketts (2010–2013)
Position: Pitcher/Utility
Championships: 1 (2013)
Before there was Alo, before Jennings or Parker—there was Keilani Ricketts. She walked so the next era could run.
Ricketts was the face of college softball for several years. She could dominate you in the circle with a riseball that touched the sky and then hit a bomb in the next inning. She won the 2013 WCWS title, took home multiple national player of the year awards, and was OU’s cornerstone for four seasons.
A generational talent who elevated Oklahoma softball into a national juggernaut.
3. Jayda Coleman (2021–2024)
Position: Outfield
Championships: 3 (2021, 2022, 2023)
If you love highlight reels, Jayda Coleman is your girl. Her web gems are the stuff of legend—home run robberies, diving catches, laser throws. But she’s more than defense. She’s also one of the most complete hitters to ever suit up for OU.
Her plate discipline, speed, and power made her a nightmare for opposing pitchers. But what separates Coleman is her emotion—she brought intensity, charisma, and leadership that made Oklahoma must-see TV.
She’s a walking, talking, grinning Sooner legend.
2. Kinzie Hansen (2020–2024)
Position: Catcher
Championships: 3 (2021, 2022, 2023)
Catching greatness is no easy task, and Kinzie Hansen caught history. Behind the plate for some of the most dominant pitching staffs in NCAA history, Hansen was the ultimate defensive anchor and clutch bat.
Her offensive numbers? Massive. But what stands out is her leadership and how she managed OU’s game plans, handled pressure, and played through injury after injury.
A catcher is the quarterback of a softball team. And Hansen was a national title-winning QB three times.
1. Patty Gasso’s System Itself
Just kidding. The real #1 is…
1. Jordy Bahl (2022–2023)
Position: Pitcher
Championships: 2 (2022, 2023)
Wait, what? A two-year player at #1?
Yes. And here’s why: Jordy Bahl was the most dominant force ever seen in postseason softball.
Her 2023 WCWS performance was mythical:
- 24.2 scoreless innings
- 4-0 record
- ERA of 0.00
- MVP honors
- And a national title to match
She broke teams. Her fire, her fearlessness, and her competitive edge were straight out of a gladiator movie. Bahl didn’t just pitch—she overwhelmed, controlled, and conquered.
She transferred after 2023, yes. But in those two years? She built a résumé worthy of any era. Her presence alone swung championship odds. You could argue no one had a bigger postseason impact in fewer games.
Jordy Bahl was the storm.
Honorable Mentions:
- Lauren Chamberlain – Power-hitting pioneer and former NCAA HR record holder.
- Kady Self – Lockdown defender with ice in her veins.
- Shay Knighten – Walk-off WCWS legend and 2017 Hero.
- Lindsey Elam – The defensive rock and unsung leader.
Final Thoughts
This list will surely spark debate, and that’s the beauty of it. Oklahoma softball isn’t just a program—it’s a legacy factory. From pitchers to power hitters, defensive wizards to emotional leaders, the Sooners have produced generation after generation of greatness.
Patty Gasso didn’t just build a team—she built a culture. And these 10 players are the embodiment of that standard.
Whether you agree with the order or not, one thing is clear:
Oklahoma softball isn’t just chasing greatness. They’re defining it.
