BREAKING: Oklahoma Sooners lands a ‘top class’ player via transfer portal
Patty Gasso bolstered her outfield by signing a former Pac-12 star over the weekend.
Patty Gasso’s comeback in Norman is off to a strong start.
After signing one of the nation’s most elite recruiting classes to bolster the team in 2025, the eight-time national champion coach landed an All-American via the transfer site.
Former Utah outfielder Abby Dayton announced her commitment to Oklahoma on Sunday.
Dayton received NFCA Third Team All-American honors in 2024 after dominating the Pac-12.
She topped the league with a.444 regular season batting average and finished the year with an on-base percentage of.510.
Though Dayton only hit two home runs, she had 72 total hits, including 10 doubles and six triples, and finished the season with a 1.109 OPS.
In addition, she was named to the Pac-12 First Team in 2024.
Dayton, a Norco High School graduate from Riverside, California, will have two years of eligibility remaining with the Sooners.
OU lost outstanding outfielders Jayda Coleman and Rylie Boone to graduation at the end of the 2024 season, but Dayton plans to start alongside Hannah Coor and Kasidi Pickering next year, while a number of freshmen will compete with the upperclassmen for playing time.
First baseman Cydney Sanders and designated hitter Ella Parker are expected to return to OU’s lineup, along with starting pitcher Kierston Deal.
Oklahoma is returning eight players from the 2024 roster and has signed eight freshmen for the 2024 class.
Dayton is the second newcomer to join Gasso’s rebuilding efforts this week, following former North Carolina catcher Isabela Emerling. Gasso has been actively chasing other transfer candidates and expects to add more names soon.
