Oklahoma Sooners opponents, Key Players in the Norman Regional

USA Today

15-05-2025

Oklahoma Sooners opponents, Key Players in the Norman Regional
The NCAA softball tournament gets underway this weekend and the No. 2 Oklahoma Sooners are set to host the Cal Golden Bears, Boston Terriers, and Omaha Mavericks in the Norman Regional. Oklahoma is a favorite to get back to Oklahoma City for the Women's College World Series, but first they'll have to conquer a regional that features a pair of conference tournament champions that are playing good softball right now.
The Sooners hit their stride in the SEC tournament, picking up wins over LSU and Arkansas to advance to the tournament championship. Although weather canceled what would have been their only matchup with Texas A&M this season, the Sooners are tuned up for another deep run at a national championship.
Key players Nelly McEnroe-Marinas, Gabbie Garcia, and Sydney Barker will be making their first NCAA tournament appearances. Sam Landry, who transferred from Louisiana and was named SEC Newcomer of the Year, is making her first appearance after helping the Ragin Cajuns upset LSU in the Baton Rouge regional in 2023.
Kasidi Pickering and Ella Parker are back in the tournament for the second time after their heroics as true freshmen helped the Oklahoma Sooners win their record fourth-straight national title. Parker and Pickering are No. 1 and No. 2 in batting average for the Sooners in 2025 and have been playing good ball of late. They'll be critical to Oklahoma's national title aspirations.
Can Oklahoma overcome the odds to win a fifth straight national championship? Their title pursuit begins on Friday at 5 p.m. CT against Boston in the Norman Regional.
Oklahoma Sooners
Record: 45-7 (17-7, 1st in SEC) - SEC Tournament Co-Champions
Notable Wins: Sweep of Texas, Sweep of South Carolina, Sweep of Arkansas, Sweep of Mississippi State.
Players to Watch:
Ella Parker, UT: .417 batting average, 11 home runs, 44 RBIs.
Kasidi Pickering, OF: .404 batting average, 14 home runs, 45 RBIs.
Nelly McEnroe-Marinas, 3B: .345 batting average, 14 home runs, 45 RBIs.
Gabbie Garcia, SS: .351 batting average, 16 home runs, 50 RBIs.
Sam Landry, P: 150.2 innings pitched, 19-4, 2.04 ERA, 154 strikeouts, 44 walks.
Team Batting Average: .330
Team ERA: 2.83
California Golden Bears
Record: 35-19 (11-13, 9th in ACC)
Notable Wins: Minnesota, Utah, Oregon State, Kansas, Iowa State, Washington. ACC series wins over Georgia Tech, Syracuse, and Boston College. Swept by Florida State and Clemson.
Players to Watch:
Tiana Bell, INF: .354 batting average, 15 home runs, 53 RBIs.
Lagi Quiroga, C: .353 batting average, 11 home runs, 43 RBIs.
Team Batting Average: .316
Team ERA: 4.14
Boston Terriers
Record: 39-17 (14-4 Patriot League) - Patriot League Tournament Champions
Notable Wins: Boston College (x2)
Players to Watch:
Brooke Deppiesse, INF: .419, 5 home runs, 17 doubles, 6 triples, 40 RBIs.
Kylie Doherty, OF: .351 batting average with 13 home runs, 46 RBIs.
Kasey Ricard, P: 237.2 innings pitched, 26-10, 1.97 ERA, 227 strikeouts, 49 walks.
Team Batting Average: .305
Team ERA: 2.53
Omaha Mavericks
Record: 39-11 (14-4 Summit League, tied for First) - Summit League Tournament Champions
Notable Wins: Wisconsin (x2), Kansas, Pitt
Players to Watch:
Sydney Thomason, INF: .368 batting average, 13 home runs, 58 RBIs.
Maddia Groff, P: 190.2 innings pitched, 26-5, 1.62 ERA, 238 strikeouts, 24 walks.
Team Batting Average: .288
Team ERA: 2.71
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