Sooner Softball Potential 2026 Recruits: Who is on the Radar ??

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OUBeliever56A
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Sooner Softball Potential 2026 Recruits: Who is on the Radar ??

Post by OUBeliever56A »

I will say this up front. I have no inside information at all. I have seen a few things here and there and have a couple of conversations with a couple of posters, but this is mostly (95%) my own thoughts and nothing more. But we are about 40 days from the September 1st Date when the 2026 Softball recruiting opens up. The 2026 recruits first season will be the 2026-2027 Season.

First thought, What will the Sooners have and who will they just have lost?
  • The Sooners will lose 6 players after 2025 - Coor, Dayton, Agbayani, Emerling, Deal and Monticelli. That will leave the roster at 18 players (without transfers in and out) after the 2026 season.
    I do not think the Sooners will want to keep the roster much higher than 20-22.
  • I am still working on this....but it is more or less complete.
  • Almost all of these players have been to one or more Sooners Camps or Showcases. There are a couple I am not sure about.
  • The more ***'s by their name, the more I think it is likely that they may become Sooners.
  • There is usually a local Oklahoma recruit, you will see them listed.
Take 1 for sure, maybe 2 Pitchers: The four Sooner pitchers that should be on the staff are Lowry (JR), Bordi (SOPH), B Zache (SOPH) and A Parker (SOPH) and maybe E Parker (SR).
  • *** RHP / 1B - Ella Kate Smith --> SA-3, EIS T-4 (Top 8) - Impact Gold – Jazz (Katy, TX) - #1 Primary Pitchers - I see evidence that Smith wants to perhaps be a Sooner.
  • *** RHP / UT - Addison Rackley --> SA - 16, EIS T-7 (Top 14) - Georgia Impact – Taylor - #3 Pitcher/Player -- PGF 2026 Futures Game - I see clear evidence that Smith wants to perhaps be a Sooner.
  • * RHP / UT - Keegan Baker --> Edmond Memorial HS - OK A's National - #8 Pitcher/Player - This is one of those Oklahoma players in the mix.
  • ** LHP / 1B - Kelsie Donaldson --> TGA Sciara - Raymore, MO - #30 Primary Pitchers - She is about the only LH Pitcher in the class that could be taken.
  • RHP/OF - Ayla Tuua --> SA - NA, EIS #89 (Top110) BSC Bengals 16U – Briggs - #30 Primary Pitchers -- PGF 2026 Futures Game - Tuua may be a late bloomer and could be a surprise pick.
Maybe 1 Catcher, especially if they play somewhere else: The Sooners will have three catchers, Hicks (JR), R Zache (JR), Wells (SOPH). I think that unless there is a standout catcher, I am not sure there is, the Sooners may wait until to 2027 to pick up their next great catcher, Goose Hudgens from Wagoner, OK. She is likely to be the next Sooner HR Queen if the Sooners successfully recruit her. The other factor for 2026 is that Riley Zache could become a position player and not so much of a catcher. The same may be true for Wells also. If these two things are true, maybe a catcher recruit is needed.
  • LH C/OF - Torynn Slaughter --> OC Batbusters Black and C - Tessa Cowsill --> OC Batbusters Stith - I list these two because there is a connection from Batbusters to the Sooners. A 'backup' catcher may take a good connection to make it happen.
  • C / IF - Mia Clemmer --> SA - NA, EIS T-22, Oklahoma Athletics – Madden/Clemmer - Coahoma, TX HS - The Sooners are familiar with Clemmer. But she is from the same town as Hannah Wells RHP 2025 Class who committed to Texas. That may swing her to UT.
  • ** LH Catcher / CF - Stevie South --> SA - NA, EIS - NA - USA U15 WOMENS NATIONAL TEAM - Hotshots Nat'l Nelson - PGF 2026 Futures Game - Magnolia, Texas - I think this might be a strong recruit. The connection to the Hotshots Nelson team is a plus as well. If she can play the OF, it works a bit better.
There will be at least (1) one 2026 Recruit who will be an Infielder, most likely a SS: The Sooners will have many infielders; McEnroe-Marinas (Red JR-3B), Wells (SOPH-3B/1B), McDaniel (SOPH-SS), Barker (JR-SS/2B), Garcia (JR-SS/2B), Milloy (JR-SS/2B), McKay (JR- 3B/1B) E Parker (SR-1B), A Parker (SOPH-1B), B Zache (SOPH-1B). There is a greet deal of talent listed there. This is a future pick if nothing else.
  • 3B / Inf - Mia Johnson - 3B/IF --> SA - NA, EIS - T-43 (Top 64) - Atlanta Vipers – Tamborra - #3 Third Base - The Sooners do not recruit a corner infielder often, but.
  • ** MIF / OF - Shayla Bahr --> SA - 24, EIS T-10 (Top 21) - Georgia Impact – Taylor - #3 Middle Infielders - This could be a pick for development.
  • MI-C-UT - Reese Poage --> SA - NA, EIS - NA - Iowa Premier National 16U Dickel/James - There may be a connection building with the Iowa Premier organization. Poage is a sleeper pickup.
  • ** MIF Liv Keiter --> Top Gun 16 National - Kami Keiter's cousin - #7 MIF - This is another reach-out to an Oklahoma recruit.
Maybe 2 OF, but likely just 1: The Sooner will have these outfielders; Pickering (SR), Bland (SR), Helton (JR) Minor (SOPH), Milloy (JR-Inf also) and maybe E Parker (SR-1B also).
  • *** OF / MIF - Abreya Perry --> SA - 6, EIS T-2 (Top 4) - Aces Fastpitch 16U – Taylor - #1 Outfielder - It looks like Perry may be a special talent. OU will recruit her with A. Parker's and McDaniel's help hopefully.
  • OF / 1B - Bella Maria --> SA - 21, EIS T-12 (Top 24) - Intensity 16U - BOD - #3 Outfielder - She should climb up the rankings I think.
  • * OF - Alexi Thigpen --> SA - NA, EIS - #45 (Top 65) - Iowa Premier – Shannon - #18 Outfielder - It looks like she wants to be a Sooner if she can be.
- - - - -

Currently, these would be my ideal (4) four 2026 recruits.

1. Ella Kate Smith or Addison Rackley - RHP

2. Shayla Bahr - SS

3. Abreya Perry - OF

4. Stevie South - LH C / OF (Especially if she is a good outfielder.)

4. Alternate - Kelsie Donaldson - LHP

Hopefully this can be pinned for future reference.

Boomer Sooner!
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Post by TropicalSooner »

Only a couple from our Batbusters "Farm Club" this time?
I like that we are branching out with more nationwide exposure--Ga, Iowa, MO, etc.....
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Post by oufanforever »

There are 3 2026 playing on the Batbuster's "senior" team. Cowsill is a catcher, but like Believer said we may be waiting on the 2027 class with Hutchens and Hilliard on Batbuster, who I like. Escobar is a RHP, crafty spinner from what I saw. Tindal is an OF that may interest OU.
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Post by OUBeliever56A »

I agree about Tindall (OF) of the Batbusters. She is a 2927 class player as well. But she needs a bit more power at this time, IMO.

The other 2027 on the Batbusters is Rylie Hillard, C/1B/3B. But she will conflict with Hudgens. If the Sooners got both Hillard and Hudgens, they would be tremendously strong at C/1B/3B.

I like Escobar as well, but I was told she was a very bright young woman or very, very smart. She is looking at Duke, Stanford or even an Ivy League school, probably.
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Post by drewdavis »

I quite like Abreya Perry!
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Post by cclift38 »

With scholarships going to 25 I’d assume there might be more in play. You possibly could even carry 7 pitchers for a more complete staff. Ives’s listening to a podcast and they think some of the 25s might drop their verbals trying to get interest from better teams
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Post by TropicalSooner »

cclift38 wrote: Wed Jul 31, 2024 7:33 am With scholarships going to 25 I’d assume there might be more in play. You possibly could even carry 7 pitchers for a more complete staff. Ives’s listening to a podcast and they think some of the 25s might drop their verbals trying to get interest from better teams
Holy ---- cclift38. I could see that happening. And with the Canady bombshell....I'm surprised we haven't seen that already tbh. What podcast did you hear that on? One of the numerous OU podcasts? or an out of state one?
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Post by TropicalSooner »

drewdavis wrote: Mon Jul 22, 2024 8:54 pm I quite like Abreya Perry!
Welcome to the board drewdavis. I see this was your 1st post. Look forward to reading your posts in the future.
I've tried to research Abreya Perry but haven't turned up too much--except that apparently she plays for the Aces Fastpitch 18U in Overland Park Ks. Am I correct?
If so, and her position preference is indeed SS, then she is playing behind Lexi McDaniel, and Allyssa Parker. I haven't been able to find any real stats for her.
How do you know her? Watched her play? Relative?
She's a player I haven't come across. Perhaps someone here can add some more information about her.
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Post by oufanforever »

TropicalSooner wrote: Wed Jul 31, 2024 9:19 am
cclift38 wrote: Wed Jul 31, 2024 7:33 am With scholarships going to 25 I’d assume there might be more in play. You possibly could even carry 7 pitchers for a more complete staff. Ives’s listening to a podcast and they think some of the 25s might drop their verbals trying to get interest from better teams
Holy ---- cclift38. I could see that happening. And with the Canady bombshell....I'm surprised we haven't seen that already tbh. What podcast did you hear that on? One of the numerous OU podcasts? or an out of state one?
going to 25 is probably one reason Patty took all the junior transfers.
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Post by TropicalSooner »

oufanforever wrote: Wed Jul 31, 2024 10:27 am
TropicalSooner wrote: Wed Jul 31, 2024 9:19 am
cclift38 wrote: Wed Jul 31, 2024 7:33 am With scholarships going to 25 I’d assume there might be more in play. You possibly could even carry 7 pitchers for a more complete staff. Ives’s listening to a podcast and they think some of the 25s might drop their verbals trying to get interest from better teams
Holy ---- cclift38. I could see that happening. And with the Canady bombshell....I'm surprised we haven't seen that already tbh. What podcast did you hear that on? One of the numerous OU podcasts? or an out of state one?
going to 25 is probably one reason Patty took all the junior transfers.
Do you mean that you think it was a hedge against some of the '25 commits backing out?
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Post by oufanforever »

TropicalSooner wrote: Wed Jul 31, 2024 10:35 am
oufanforever wrote: Wed Jul 31, 2024 10:27 am
TropicalSooner wrote: Wed Jul 31, 2024 9:19 am

Holy ---- cclift38. I could see that happening. And with the Canady bombshell....I'm surprised we haven't seen that already tbh. What podcast did you hear that on? One of the numerous OU podcasts? or an out of state one?
going to 25 is probably one reason Patty took all the junior transfers.
Do you mean that you think it was a hedge against some of the '25 commits backing out?
We have 21 players, graduating 3 and bring in 6 in the 2025 class gets us to 24 players for the 2026 season, just as 25 scholarships becomes a thing. I assume OU will just fully found all 25 scholarships for softball so OU commits don't have any reason to decommit. But if another school can't afford 25 full scholarships, maybe we can offer more scholarship and get someone to change their mind.
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Post by TropicalSooner »

Got it.
Thanks
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Post by cclift38 »

TropicalSooner wrote: Wed Jul 31, 2024 9:19 am
cclift38 wrote: Wed Jul 31, 2024 7:33 am With scholarships going to 25 I’d assume there might be more in play. You possibly could even carry 7 pitchers for a more complete staff. Ives’s listening to a podcast and they think some of the 25s might drop their verbals trying to get interest from better teams
Holy ---- cclift38. I could see that happening. And with the Canady bombshell....I'm surprised we haven't seen that already tbh. What podcast did you hear that on? One of the numerous OU podcasts? or an out of state one?

The podcast is SA softball America with Tara Henry and 2 more hosts.
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Post by TropicalSooner »

cclift38 wrote: Thu Aug 01, 2024 5:51 am
TropicalSooner wrote: Wed Jul 31, 2024 9:19 am
cclift38 wrote: Wed Jul 31, 2024 7:33 am With scholarships going to 25 I’d assume there might be more in play. You possibly could even carry 7 pitchers for a more complete staff. Ives’s listening to a podcast and they think some of the 25s might drop their verbals trying to get interest from better teams
Holy ---- cclift38. I could see that happening. And with the Canady bombshell....I'm surprised we haven't seen that already tbh. What podcast did you hear that on? One of the numerous OU podcasts? or an out of state one?

The podcast is SA softball America with Tara Henry and 2 more hosts.
Got it.
Thanks cclift38.
Tara is pretty good. I like her stuff.
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