When Patty Gasso goes to the transfer portal, she isn't just looking for "good" arms. She’s looking for killers.
Honestly, the way Oklahoma has weaponized the portal has changed the sport forever. You’ve seen it with Kelly Maxwell, Alex Storako, and Hope Trautwein. They weren’t just additions; they were the final pieces of championship puzzles. Now, heading into the 2026 season, the conversation around Oklahoma softball transfer pitchers has reached a fever pitch because the stakes are higher than they've ever been.
Basically, the 2025 season ended with some major holes. Sam Landry and Isabella Smith graduated. Then, in a move that shocked a lot of folks in Norman, freshman standout Sophia Bordi—who had reclassified to join the team early—decided to enter the portal herself in December 2025.
Gasso didn't blink. She went out and secured two of the biggest names available to ensure Love’s Field stays a fortress.
The New Aces: Sydney Berzon and Miali Guachino
If you follow SEC softball, you know Sydney Berzon. She was the heart of the LSU staff for three years. She isn't just a pitcher; she's a workhorse. In 2024, she posted a 1.78 ERA. Last year, even while battling some nagging injuries, she still threw 19 complete games.
When Berzon announced she was coming to Norman for her final year of eligibility, it sent shockwaves. She’s exactly what the Sooners need: a veteran who has seen the brightest lights and doesn't rattle.
Then there’s Miali Guachino.
She’s a different kind of beast. Guachino comes over from Ole Miss after a freshman year that was, frankly, kind of ridiculous. She set a program record with 19 strikeouts in a single game. Think about that for a second. Nineteen. She’s a right-hander with a riseball that makes hitters look silly and a screwball that jams them up. She has three years of eligibility left, which gives Coach Jen Rocha plenty of time to turn her from a "great prospect" into a legendary Sooner.
Why Gasso Keeps Stacking the Circle
You might wonder why a team with the #1 recruiting class in the country needs to grab two elite SEC transfers.
It’s about survival.
College softball in 2026 is an arms race. Texas is reigning supreme, and Texas Tech just loaded up by surrounding NiJaree Canady with even more talent. Gasso knows that relying on one "ace" is a recipe for a June heartbreak. She wants a staff where she can pull a starter in the third inning and bring in someone just as dangerous.
Look at the 2026 roster depth:
- Sydney Berzon (Sr.): The likely Friday night starter.
- Kierston Deal (Sr.): The veteran lefty who has been through the wars.
- Paytn Monticelli (Sr.): A high-velocity relief option.
- Audrey Lowry (So.): A rising star who gained massive experience as a freshman.
- Miali Guachino (So.): The high-strikeout transfer with elite "stuff."
- Allyssa Parker (Fr.) & Berkley Zache (Fr.): Two of the highest-rated recruits in the nation.
That is eight arms. Eight. Most programs are lucky to have two pitchers they trust in a postseason game. Oklahoma has a small army.
The "Rocha Effect" and the Transfer Philosophy
There is a reason Oklahoma softball transfer pitchers choose Norman over UCLA or South Carolina. It’s Jennifer Rocha.
Rocha is widely considered the best pitching coach in the game. When a pitcher like Berzon or Guachino looks at the portal, they aren't just looking for a ring—they're looking for the "Rocha Bump." We’ve seen it time and again: a pitcher with a 2.50 ERA at their previous school arrives in Norman and suddenly they’re sub-1.50.
The strategy is simple:
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- Experience over potential: Gasso prefers seniors who have pitched in the WCWS or the SEC.
- Diverse Looks: She wants a mix of "down" pitchers, "up" pitchers, and high-velocity arms.
- Mental Toughness: If you can’t handle the pressure of 4,000 fans at Love’s Field, you won't last.
What This Means for the 2026 Season
The departure of Sophia Bordi to the portal in late 2025 was a blow to the program's depth, but the additions of Berzon and Guachino more than offset the loss. The "Championship Mindset" isn't just a slogan; it's a requirement.
Expect Gasso to use the early season to "staff" games. You’ll see Berzon start, followed by Lowry, then maybe Guachino closing it out. By the time Big 12 (or rather, the SEC now) play heats up, Rocha will have identified the three-headed monster that will carry them to Oklahoma City.
The target is back on their backs. But with this rotation? They wouldn't have it any other way.
Moving Forward: What to Watch For
- Keep an eye on the innings distribution during the early February tournaments. If Berzon is throwing 7 innings every game, it means the younger arms aren't quite ready. If Gasso is rotating four or five pitchers, the Sooners are in a great spot.
- Watch the strikeout-to-walk ratios for Miali Guachino. In Norman, Rocha emphasizes control over raw power. If Guachino cuts down her walks, she’s an All-American contender.
- Monitor the health of the staff. With eight pitchers, the Sooners have the luxury of resting arms, which should lead to a much "fresher" rotation come June than teams like Texas or Oklahoma State.
The era of the "one-pitcher team" is dead. Oklahoma killed it, and their 2026 transfer strategy is the final nail in the coffin.