With the commitments [Edit: not signings] of Sophia Bordi, Kendall Wells, Allyssa Parker, Lexi McDoniel and Kai Minor, the Oklahoma Sooners are pulling the cream off of the proverbial milk bucket. these players will sign their NLI in November of 2024 when they are Seniors. Here are the rankings I have logged for these players in 2022 and 2023.
In 2023 here were the rankings for EIS and SA:
McDaniel = 4th Player to commit to the Sooners: #1 Player and MIF by EIS - #14 Player, #3 MIF by SA
Bordi = 1st Player to commit to the Sooners: #3 Player, #1 Pitcher by EIS - #3 Pitcher/Player by SA
Wells = 2nd Player to commit to the Sooners: #4 Player, #1 C/3B by EIS - #12 Player, #2 C/3B by SA
Minor = 5th Player to commit to the Sooners: #9 Player, #2 OF by EIS - #23 Player, #5 OF by SA
A Parker = 3rd Player to commit to the Sooners: #23 Player, #8 Pitcher/#4 MIF by EIS - #25 Player, #5 MIF/#9 Pitcher by SA
In 2022 here were the rankings for EIS and SA (Remember there are ties for most rankings by EIS in 2022.):
Wells = Top 9 Player, #3 C/3B by EIS - #16 Player, #2 C/3B by SA
Minor = Top 14 Player, #4 OF by EIS - #13 Player, #3 OF by SA
Bordi = Top 19 Player, #8 Pitcher by EIS - #8 Player, #6 Pitcher by SA
McDaniel = Top 19 Player, #3 MIF by EIS - #14 Player, #2 MIF by SA
A Parker = Top 34 Player, #11 Pitcher, #5 MIF by EIS - Not in the Top 25 which is all that SA ranked in 2025.
Here is what EIS said about Berkley Zache this summer:
T-3—Berkley Zache, P/UT, Tennessee Mojo – Fisher/Harkness
At 6-foot-1, Berkley commands each of her pitches which include the power game with elite velocity as well as tight spins and the skill to consistently work multiple levels of the zone. Her high ceiling hasn’t gone unnoticed by college coaches, either: Berkley has received more than 40 phone calls from SEC, ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and Pac-12 college coaches offering official visits and/or scholarships. She has visited North Carolina State previously, is at Missouri this weekend, Oklahoma next weekend followed by trips to Florida and Michigan. Once those are done, she’ll begin club play with the Mojo Fisher/Harkness team throughout the fall. At St. Joseph (South Bend, Ind.) High this year, Berkley went 16-1 with a miniscule 0.13 ERA, just giving up two earned runs all season while striking out 251 batters, but that was just half the story: Berkley also smashed nine home runs and batted .531. Offensively, Berkley can hit the ball a long way and is a strong run producer as well. The physical tools plus the maturity and understanding of the mental game makes her one of the top prospects in her class. “Berkley is a leader and kids enjoy playing with her,” says Mojo Head Coach Josh Fisher. “We are excited to see where she decides to continue this journey in college. Wherever it is, will be getting one of the best!”
Here is what Softball America said about Berkley Zache this summer:
#2 Recruit - Beverly Bandits 18U - Dorsey - RHP/1B - Saint Joseph (South Bend, Ind.)
Zache was nearly untouchable in the circle for Saint Joseph, as she had a 0.13 ERA over 107.2 innings with 251 strikeouts. She tossed two no-hitters and a perfect game. Zache was just as lethal on offense, hitting for a .531 average on 51 hits with 46 RBIs and nine long balls. She was named a 4A First-Team All-State selection.
Lexi McDonald SS, Sophia Bordi RHP/UT, Kendall Wells C/3B/1B, Kai Minor OF, Allyssa Parker RHP/MIF/UT and now Berkley Zache RHP/1B.
The 25 Class now can boast about having a #1, #2, two #3's, #4 and the #6 players in the country according to EIS
According to SA, the 25 Class can boast about having the #2, #3, #12, #14, #23 and #25 players in the country.
I was doing some research on Berkley Zache today and something sounded familiar....
....Berkley Zache and Audrey Lowry faced each other in an epic pitcher's duel in a high school championship game last year (?) that went a scoreless 9 innings. Zache drove in the winning run for the win of 1-0. Lowry set an Indiana high school record for strike outs in that state champ game at 22. Zache struck out 20.
Now these two will be on the same team. It is a great storyline for the fans and media folks. Amazing!
(After doing more research and editing my original post, it really struck me how Lowry is a 'sleeper' despite her top five pitcher rank for her class. I don't recall much hype surrounding her on the national level. She is an excellent pitcher, and I love her outlook on life and competition from reading interviews. I get a Nicole May vibe from her. This is not a 'steal thunder from Berkley' post....on the contrary, it is one that highlights her excellence to go toe-to-toe with Audrey....and the Sooners will hopefully have them both on the Schooner for years to come!)
I’m just shaking my head at the quality of classes PG is putting together for 24/25. Unreal……fingers crossed these young ladies continue the Championship tradition and have a successful 4 years.
If they live up to their billing and what the coaches see in them, this ride ain’t stopping any time soon
I thought I would post a recap of the Class of 2025 Recruits. All of this is here, just not in one place.
A clarification:
SA = Softball America (In 2024 their rankings were divided into a pitchers list and a players list. So there are two #1 recruits, one for each list.)
EIS = Extra Innings Softball.
Perfect Game is a third ranking that I found in the last couple of years and decided to include.
Here are the 6 great recruits for Oklahoma from the 2025 class. They will take the field for OU in August of 2025.
SA-1 Pitching Recruit - EIS #3 Recruit and Perfect Game #11 Recruit = Sophia Bordi, RHP/1B - OC Batbusters Stith - Oklahoma
Sophia was the talk of the summer of 2023 and, not least of all, because she threw a no-hitter at the Alliance Nationals (18U) championship game and only allowed two baserunners, both because of walks. She threw just 80 pitches while striking out eight in the nail-biting 1-0 victory over the Aces and for her stellar play was named as the Alliance Nationals Championship MVP. The right-hander is also a dangerous hitter and over the summer batted .385 with six home runs and 24 RBIs. This, coming off a spring season for Haddon Heights (N.J.) High in which she was named the Gatorade State Player of the Year, a 1st Team All-State honoree and the All-South Jersey Pitcher of the Year . As a sophomore, she struck out 274 batters in 121 innings and had four perfect games with a miniscule 0.40 ERA. Sophia also helped her own cause by smacking 10 home runs. The dual threat is known for her maturity and poise on the mound and several college scouts, when asked who impressed them in the 2025 class, mentioned Sophia quickly.
SA-2 Pitching Recruit - EIS #6 Recruit - Perfect Game #7 Recruit - Allyssa Parker, RHP/SS - Aces Fastpitch 18U - Oklahoma
Alyssa is described by Aces coaches Ryan and Taylor Taylor as a “unicorn on the field in that she’s 5-foot-10, powerful, fast and just an absolute freak athletically on the field.” The multi-talented player throws over 65 mph which is made even tougher to hit thanks to a “knee-buckling change-up.” She moved up to the 18U level and got it done against top competition, compiling a 19-5 record with 116 K’s in 125 innings and a .215 opponents” batting average. Defensively, she is impressive in the middle infield when not on the mound thanks to her quick feet, smooth hands and play-making abilities that can’t be taught. Allyssa batted at the top of the 18U lineup with a .397 average and a 1.203 OPS. She smacked an impressive nine home runs and 22 doubles to show her power, drove in 57 runs and also had 32 stolen bases — several times she went from first to third on a passed ball. Alyssa helped the Aces finish 9th at Colorado Sparkler/Fireworks as well as Boulder 18U IDT. Recruited by top Power 5 schools from coast to coast, the multi-sport athlete has been All-State in softball and basketball and was a state champion in hoops.
Allyssa is a standout student-athlete who always rises to the competition. Committed to the University of Oklahoma, this season she had a 22-2 record, an ERA of 0.590, and an impressive 150 strikeouts, showcasing why she earned a spot in the most coveted recruiting class in college softball. Notably, she also displayed her skills at the plate by hitting .460 and launching 20 home runs, a testament to her all-around excellence on the field. Allyssa’s dedication to her craft and competitive spirit have earned her recognition as one of PNTV’s 2024 Finalists for Softball Player of the Year. Additionally, Parker’s commitment to Oklahoma was met with immediate success on the field as she homered in both games, contributing to a total of 23 runs for Pocola (Okla.) High School."
SA-6 Pitching Recruit - EIS #3 Recruit - Perfect Game #4 Recruit - Berkley Zache, RHP - OC Batbusters Stith - Oklahoma
At 6-foot-1, Berkley commands each of her pitches which include the power game with elite velocity as well as tight spins and the skill to consistently work multiple levels of the zone. Her high ceiling hasn’t gone unnoticed by college coaches, either: Berkley has received more than 40 phone calls from SEC, ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and Pac-12 college coaches offering official visits and/or scholarships. She has visited North Carolina State previously, is at Missouri this weekend, Oklahoma next weekend followed by trips to Florida and Michigan. Once those are done, she’ll begin club play with the Mojo Fisher/Harkness team throughout the fall. At St. Joseph (South Bend, Ind.) High this year, Berkley went 16-1 with a miniscule 0.13 ERA, just giving up two earned runs all season while striking out 251 batters, but that was just half the story: Berkley also smashed nine home runs and batted .531. Offensively, Berkley can hit the ball a long way and is a strong run producer as well. The physical tools plus the maturity and understanding of the mental game makes her one of the top prospects in her class. “Berkley is a leader and kids enjoy playing with her,” says Mojo Head Coach Josh Fisher. “We are excited to see where she decides to continue this journey in college. Wherever it is, will be getting one of the best!”
SA-1 Player Recruit - EIS #2 Recruit - Perfect Game #5 Recruit - Kai Minor, Outfielder - OC Batbusters Stith - Oklahoma
Kai is the heir apparent to Jayda Coleman in the Univ. of Oklahoma outfield and that’s high praise as Coleman is a three-time national champion and All-American. But what strikes you about Kai is not just her success and accomplishments on the field, it’s her maturity and sophistication well beyond her years off the field. According to Jenny Miklos, her head coach at Orange Lutheran (Orange, Calif.) High, “Kai is one of the most dynamic players I have ever watched, let alone have had the privilege to coach. She is the ultimate 5-tool player who can single-handedly take control of an offense.” With multiple tools, Kai has home run power and is one of the fastest players in the game. She led her 2023 high school team in OPS (1.136) and in steals (24) and made the CIF Division I – First Team. Adds Coach Miklos: “Kai is impossible to pitch around as she will simply steal second base and possibly third.” She is an intelligent baserunner who gets quick reads on the ball, and defensively, she is an outstanding centerfielder who consistently gets great reads.” Kai has saved numerous extra base hits by making diving catches or stealing balls over the fence. She also has a strong and consistent throwing arm which discourages teams from testing her. Playing for one of the top programs in club ball, the Southern California star helped Mike Stith’s 18U Batbusters win the 2023 Alliance Nationals this summer and she was also selected to the 1st Team All-Tournament 18U team at Zoom into June. Impressively, Kai led the Batbusters and the 'AthletesGoLive' leaderboard at the 18U Alliance Nationals in hits and runs scored while batting .519 with a .576 on-base percentage. Schools that also showed strong interest in her included UCLA, Florida, Texas, Stanford, Tennessee, Duke, LSU, Arkansas, Arizona, Washington, Georgia, Virginia Tech, and dozens of other Power 5 schools. Coach Stith had this to say about his star player who, once her playing days are over, hopes to be a surgeon: “Kai is a young athlete that is searching out all she can do to be better,” the esteemed club coach told Extra Inning Softball the day her verbal became official. “‘Learn more, see more’ are motivating factors for her as she wants to be a professional and certainly has the drive to do that. Our sport is changing with more technology and more opportunities available and I think Kai will be in front of those new opportunities as she matures and grows. Oklahoma is a great fit for her and the path and the goals she has in sight and it should be interesting to watch her develop and grow over time.”
SA-2 Player Recruit - EIS #1 Recruit - Perfect Game #2 Recruit - Lexi McDaniel, Shortstop - Aces Fastpitch 18U - Oklahoma
"And then there is one… as in “No. 1.” In what is a deep 2025 class at the top, Lexi has emerged as an elite infielder who led her Aces team—the runners-up at the 18U Alliance Nationals this summer—in most offensive categories as she batted .491 with 115 hits, 24 home runs, 19 doubles, six triples and a jaw-dropping 97 RBIs. And this isn’t against Little League Softball pitching, either—it’s against top 18U competition. Lexi is equally adept at hitting for power as well as a high average, but there is one thing Taylor Taylor, her co-head coach with the Aces, thinks that really makes her attractive to college coaches. “Her ability to not strike out is very impressive,” the coach begins. “In 261 plate appearances this year, Lexi only struck out 18 times against pitchers headed to colleges like Texas, Florida, Oregon and Florida State, to name a few. Lexi is also stingy in making errors from her middle infield spot with only 12 miscues all season. “She plays a smooth middle infield,” Coach Taylor continues, “and makes hard plays look easy.”
But it’s the off-the-field characteristics that really add to the complete package. “Lexi is humble, kind, hard-working and cares about her people. She’s hands down a professional hitter as most college coaches have noticed.” If you followed the Aces around this summer, you would have seen a lot of college coaches watching while wearing their colors—programs like Oklahoma, Florida, UCLA, LSU, Texas A&M and many, many more—that would be camped out at the fields the 2025 grad was playing on.
One thing that’s been helpful for Lexi is she’s been with the Aces program since she was 12 and loves her coaches—Ryan Taylor and his wife Taylor Taylor—the latter of which comments on how much she’s enjoyed watching the incoming high school junior develop over the years. “We have really enjoyed watching Lexi grow up and how her journey has evolved, seeing her big dreams become reality,” Coach (Taylor) Taylor says. “She’s a great teammate, competitive and, overall, a great person which in the end is way more important.” True that, and when it comes to competing between the lines, the dangerous hitter also has an amazing stat: over the last four years, Lexi has slugged 80 home runs versus 126 career strikeouts. She could someday have more home runs than K’s at the plate – a feat not too many could claim having accomplished.
Lexi says she’s wide open when it comes to which softball programs and universities she’ll seriously consider, but she currently wants to study pre-law with the ultimate goal of being an agent someday (so schools with that emphasis could have an advantage).
And there’s another part of her life that is important to her; when Lexi is asked if there are any superstitions or rituals she follows before or during a game, her spirituality comes through. “I like to pray with my Dad,” she says simply. The incoming junior attends a private religious school in St. Joseph, Missouri that has less than 100 students and doesn’t have a softball team. So what does the athlete do to keep her skills sharp?
She plays club ball pretty much all year round and takes hitting lessons from Coach Ryan who marvels at what he says are college-like abilities already. “It’s crazy,” Coach Ryan marvels. “Her exit velocity is already 80-plus miles per hour.”
Lexi was asked if she has any talents off the softball field as well. She modestly admitted: “I can juggle.” Unfortunately, there were no balls or other objects within arm’s reach on a Zoom Call for her to show off her skills, but there is a big day coming for her where she may have to put some of those juggling skills to use… figuratively, not literally.
Friday, September 1- the first day college coaches can contact players in the 2025 class – is just two weeks away and many have asked if she’ll be available at midnight,12:01 am or shortly thereafter. That, the talented two-way standout admits, is up in the air, but one thing her father emphasized will happen that day: Lexi will be going to school no matter.
For such a talented and well-rounded student athlete, you’d have to think the many excited coaches who have followed Lexi for year won’t mind waiting just a bit longe get the chance to add this “professional hitter” to their lineup someday."
SA-3 Player Recruit - EIS #4 Recruit - Perfect Game #10 Recruit - Kendall Wells, Catcher/3B - GA Impact - Oklahoma
After a season-ending ankle injury last year, Kendall has come back with a vengeance. She has a cannon for an arm, hits for power but also has a high batting average. She can change the game with one swing—and often does. Head Coach Brett Sampson says: “There’s just a different sound off the bat when she connects.” Kendall is one of only two 2025 grads on the team but has shined at the 18U level. She earned 1st Team All-State honors as a freshman and was the Regional Player of the Year as well. Showcasing her great athletic ability, Kendall was also a starter for the North Oconee (Bogart, Ga.) High varsity basketball team and was named 2nd Team All-Region. One travel coach stated: “Kendall Wells is legit!” What’s also impressive – and scary for opposing pitchers and coaches – is she just turned 16-years-old in 2023 and will have two years of 18U club ball still to play. Coach Sampson adds: “Kendall matured a ton over the last year once she was healthy and, not only did she catch at a high level, but she really stepped up and in big games would play third as we needed her to.” For her Peach State prep team, she’s also lined up at shortstop and, after coming back off her injury last year for the last 10 games, Kendall batted .652 with five home runs, and 12 RBIs. As a freshman, she set the school record with 14 home runs and was also 19-for-19 in steals to earn 1st Team All-State and Region Co-Player of the Year. Coach Sampson puts it simply when he finishes: “Kendall checks all the boxes.”
Here is my quick comments for each.
Sophia Bordi - It takes you a couple of starts to watch her pitch to appreciate her fully. At least it did me. I think she improved considerably from the summer of 2022 to 2023 and anticipate that occurring in 2024 also. Her pitches are well defined and she has the ability to correct things during and inning when needed. I do not worry about her pitching as a freshman for Oklahoma because she has played up for at least 3 years. She also can hit and play 1B. I doubt she does that as a freshman, but who knows.
Allyssa Parker - I think she can pitch at OU and if she does she has a great body to do so very well with her height and long limbs. But Parker could be such a good everyday player that she never gets to the circle. It will be very interesting to see where she plays and which she does if she does not pitch and play a position. She may be a DH/Pitcher also. The Sooner coaches have many options for Parker. I think she could be great as a 1B on defense or even an outfielder instead of where she normally plays at SS. Even with her rankings, I think she may still be a sleeper. She may play a position before she pitches as a freshman.
Berkley Zache - Do not let the #6 ranked pitcher in the class fool you. She can pitch and will gets lots of swinging strikes I believe. That is something special about Zache. I am maybe more excited about Zache than I am Bordi and Parker in the circle. That is saying something. I am anxious to see her in person but what I have seen on tape is very good.
This is a great class of pitchers for Oklahoma. I am not sure what else they need with Lowry as a pitcher who will be one year older for a while in the circle.
Kia Minor - Minor is flat out very good. Imagine Coleman with twice the HRs and twice the steals. That is Minor. I will say that Minor can catch just about anything hit as a fly ball as well, but it is a lofty thing to say she equals Coleman on defense. I know Minor's arm is not what Coleman has. In fact, I think Minor has a marginal arm and will maybe play LF because of that. But that only makes her a bit of a human. Offensively she does it all. Very well. She will start as a freshman even if it is at DH. But despite some very good outfielder that will be playing for OU, she make cause one of them to be the DH.
Lexi McDaniel - The more I see of her, the more I think she will be the starting SS as a freshman. It has all been tape so far, but it just is very good in every way. McDaniel has it all. The bat, the power, the defense, the arm. I do not think I am over-hyping her either. She could be better as a freshman than what Grace Lyons was as a junior (2021). I guess that would be Lyons as 2022. WOW, just WOW! That is not fair for me to say in 2024. But I sure think I might be right.
Kendall Wells - I think Kendall Wells can be as good as she wants to be playing the trio or quad of positions at C, 3B, 1B and DH. She can move seamlessly between the 3 positions as needed and fill the DH job when asked. She has quick power. Is she better than Corri Hicks? That is tough to say now. But she is very good. Her bat is probably the best thing for her by a bit. She is the sixth great player in this class.
The Class of 2025 is extremely good. They could start at four positions regularly as freshman. With Bordi and Zache taking regular turns in the circle and Parker floating between pitching and playing. I can't wait to see this class join the Class of 2024 on the field.
A year ago, we all were pretty high on getting the commitment from SS Sydney Barker.
Now we have a commitment from #1 SS Lexi McDaniel.
How do you feel these two match up and who would win the 2026 season SS position? (I had mentally penciled in Barker for the '25 season SS.)
TropicalSooner wrote: ↑Fri Mar 22, 2024 8:33 am
A year ago, we all were pretty high on getting the commitment from SS Sydney Barker.
Now we have a commitment from #1 SS Lexi McDaniel.
How do you feel these two match up and who would win the 2026 season SS position? (I had mentally penciled in Barker for the '25 season SS.)
I would say that I do not have enough information and have not seen any of the SS candidates "live".
I would say that Hodge has to have the edge moving into the 2025 season to play SS. But in the 2024 Class there are four SS; Barker, Milloy, Garcia and McKay. As I have said, I think Garcia is more of a 2B candidate and that McKay is more of a corner Infielder. So that leaves Hodge, Barker and Milloy. And perhaps we should not leave out McEnroe Marinas but for now NellieMac is at 3B I think. The battle will be between the 3 of them, one may move to 2B to compete with Garcia and could play there. I think Milloy is likely to move the OF if she is not the SS.
So for 2026, McDaniel arrives with a 1-year starter at SS with experience in either Hodge or Barker or Milloy. Maybe you have a 1-year starter at 2B with one of the SS that moved or Garcia or even Lilio. McDaniel will play somewhere I think as a freshman. It is a tremendous wealth of talent for the MIF positions. The two that fields the best and then hits the best will play the most.
