NORMAN — University of Oklahoma softball and head coachPatty Gassoannounced Wednesday the addition of four signees from the 2023 recruiting class. Joining the Sooners as freshmen for the 2024season will be Maya Bland, Nelly McEnroe-Marinas, Ella Parker and Kasidi Pickering.
The four hail from across the country with McEnroe-Marinas coming to Norman from Hawaii, Parker joining from Los Angeles and Bland and Pickering coming from the state of Texas.
"I'm extremely excited about this 2023 class and overjoyed with how our recruiting momentum continues to grow. This is another highly-ranked and monumental class for the Sooners. They all will have an opportunity to get in the lineup immediately because of their athleticism. We look forward to bringing them into our culture and growing them into elite student-athletes and women off the field."
All four signees rank in the top 15 of Extra Inning Softball's 2023 Elite 100, including three in the top six. OU's 2023 signing class was ranked second in the nation by Extra Inning.
Meet Norman's Next below.
Maya Bland/ OF / Argyle,Texas
- No. 11 player in the class of 2023 by Extra Inning Softball
- 2022 Season at Argyle (TX) HS
- .528 BA, 16 HR, 61 RBI, 22 SB
- 2022 Class 4A All-State & All-Region honoree
- 2022 Class 4A Region I finalist
- Played travel ball for Batbusters-Stith (Anaheim, Calif.)
- 2022 Alliance Fastpitch National Champions
- 2022 Top Club National Champions
- 2022 Triple Crown National Champions
OU head coach Patty Gasso on Bland:
"Maya is a versatile utility player, a left-handed hitter that can do it all. I relate her to a Rylie Boone-style player. She can hit it over the fence, but can lay down a bunt and slap when called upon. She will primarily be working in the outfield with us and will be exceptional at the plate with her situational hitting. Maya is another Batbuster joining us, along with teammate Ella Parker. Those two have a strong bond that we're excited to bring to Norman."
| THE BLAND FILE |
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| PERSONAL:Hits left and throws right … Daughter of Katina and Martell Bland … Has three siblings, Maxwell, Makayla and Mitchell … Brother, Mitchell, ran track at Southern Illinois … Father played basketball at St. Mary's. WHY OKLAHOMA?"When I visited Oklahoma it was clear to me and my family that OU was the best fit for me. It started with the city of Norman. I realized that I prefer a small town and the people were so inviting and nice. The players and university made me feel welcomed and they represented many of the same qualities that my own family live by: Faith, Family and Softball. To watch the players support each other and stay true to their values were awesome to see. To be able to have it all and be in a position to play softball at the highest level made it clear that OU was the best choice for me." |
Nelly McEnroe-Marinas/ INF / Waianae, Hawaii
- No. 6 player in the class of 2023 by Extra Inning Softball
- No. 19 player in the class of 2023 by Softball America
- 2022 Season at Maryknoll HS (Honolulu, HI)
- .571 BA, 29 RS, 32 H, 27 RBI, 6 HR, 6 SB
- HHSAA DI Softball State Champions
- HHSAA Division 1 Softball State Championship All-Tournament team.
- Team Captain
- Played travel ball for Firecrackers-Brashear (Ontario, Calif.)
- Third-place team - Alliance Fastpitch National Championship
OU head coach Patty Gasso on McEnroe-Marinas:
"Nelly is a well-rounded athlete on both sides of the ball. She is strong on defense and has a great arm. I foresee her working in the infield, primarily at the corners. She has power and a strong swing, and a lot of overall strength due to her training. Being from Hawaii, her parents made a commitment for her to be a part of the Firecracker-Brashear organization in California which has helped her get the competition she needs, on top of what she's done in Hawaii as a state champion. She has all the tools to be a future star in the college game."
| THE MCENROE-MARINAS FILE |
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| PERSONAL:Bats and throws right … Daughter of Shanelle Gomes-McEnroe and Brian Marinas ... has one sibling, Brianci I Marinas … born in Wailuku Maui, Hawaii. WHY OKLAHOMA? "I chose Oklahoma because the drive and determination I saw from the current players there is something I've never seen before. From their morals and the way they carry themselves you could easily tell why they are so dominant in everything they do. During my time there I wish to be pushed by both my teammates and Coach Gasso to be the best player and person I can possibly be. I hope to unlock the best version of myself, on and off the field." |
Ella Parker/ UTL /Los Angeles, Calif.
- No. 3 player in the class of 2023 by Extra Inning Softball
- No. 15 player in the class of 2023 by Softball America
- 2022 Season at Notre Dame (CA) High School
- .651 BA, 11 HR, 31 RBI, 41 H, 39 RS, 11 SB, .768 OB%, 2.04 ERA in 34.1 IP
- 2021-22 Mission League CIF Most Valuable Player
- 2021-22 All-CIF
- 2021-22 Cal-Hi All-State Team
- 2022 Mission League Team Champions
- Played travel ball for Batbusters-Stith (Anaheim, Calif.)
- 2022 Alliance Fastpitch National Champions
- 2022 Top Club National Champions
- 2022 Triple Crown National Champions
- 2021 Alliance All-Tournament
OU head coach Patty Gasso on Parker:
"Ella comes from an athletic family, she is a very versatile athlete who can pitch or play first base or the outfield. She's a strong left-handed hitter and can find her place somewhere in the top 3-4 of the batting order. She has strong ties to our current team, most notably Jocelyn Erickson who she played travel ball with and was a dynamic duo when they played together, somewhat of a Tiare Jennings-Jocelyn Alo one-two punch. Ella is a dedicated and hardworking athlete that can be elite in the college ranks. We worked extremely hard to get her so we are very pleased we won that recruiting battle. She can be a program changer."
| THE PARKER FILE |
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| PERSONAL:Bats and throws left … Daughter of Melissa and Keith Parker … Has three siblings, Mia, Ava and Keith Jr. … Sister Mia plays softball for George Washington University … Uncle, Dave Roberts, played baseball at UCLA and is manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. WHY OKLAHOMA? "I chose Oklahoma to become a better softball player and young woman. At OU, we are able to train with All-Americans, hall of fame coaches and receive top-of-the-line care off the field. During my time here I want to be able to compete and win a national championship." |
Kasidi Pickering/ UTL / Humble, Texas
- No. 4 player in the class of 2023 by Extra Inning Softball
- No. 16 player in the class of 2023 by Softball America
- 2021-22 Season at Atascocita (TX) HS
- .608 BA, 14 HR, 49 RBI, 59 H, 52 RS, 11 SB
- 2021-22 NFCA High School All-American
- 2020-21 & 2021-22 District 21-6A Most Valuable Player
- Played travel ball for Hotshots-Nelson (Montgomery, Texas)
- 10-time national champion across PGF, Top Club, Triple Crown and Colorado IDT circuits from 10U-18U.
- Most recent travel ball season (2022)
- .448 BA, 7 HR, 41 RBI, 43 H, 36 RS, 15 SB
OU head coach Patty Gasso on Pickering:
"Kasidi is one of the best outfielders in the country. She's strong on both sides of the ball. Her defense is exceptional in the outfield and she's well-known for her bat and the ability to change the game in one swing. She has good power, contact, and has very few strikeouts. Additionally, one thing that attracted me to Kasidi was her ability to lead from the outfield. Her teammates look up to her and follow her as a captain."
| THE PICKERING FILE |
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| PERSONAL:Bats left and throws right … Daughter of Tara and Scott Pickering … Has one sister, Kirbi. WHY OKLAHOMA? "After arriving on campus, I had a feeling that I knew this place would be my new home. With the history of this program, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. I want to contribute to the team in any aspect and eventually become an All-American while winning national titles." |
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