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What does OU softball's pitching staff look like after Jordy Bahl's departure?

ryan aber, oklahoman
·2 min read
10

NORMAN — After Jordy Bahl’s surprising announcement that she’d leave OU softball to transfer closer to her Nebraska home, the questions turn to the future of the Sooners’ pitching staff.

Here’s a look at the pitchers remaining on OU’s roster and some who could be added:

Nicole May

May has steadily improved during her three seasons in Norman, going 47-3 with a 1.47 ERA during her career.

This season, May was 18-0 with a 0.91 ERA and a career-high 130 strikeouts in 107 2/3 innings. In 15 innings in the NCAA Tournament, May had a 2.80 ERA and 13 strikeouts.

“She’s just chill, boss lady,” Bahl said of May. “She’s always got it under control and that’s the way that she looks out there.”

More: Carlson: Appreciate what this OU softball team accomplished because it's 'totally bananas'

Oklahoma's Nicole May (19) celebrates a strike out in the first inning during the NCAA Norman Super Regional softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Clemson Tigers at Marita Hynes Field in Norman, Okla., Saturday, May, 27, 2023.
Oklahoma's Nicole May (19) celebrates a strike out in the first inning during the NCAA Norman Super Regional softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Clemson Tigers at Marita Hynes Field in Norman, Okla., Saturday, May, 27, 2023.

Keirston Deal

Deal was the Sooners’ No. 4 pitcher throughout the season, throwing just 27 1/3 innings behind Bahl, May and Alex Storako.

Deal allowed just three earned runs in 20 appearances, with a 0.77 ERA.

Deal did not allow a run in her last 12 appearances and walked just 10 — two in her last 11 appearances.

“She can throw hard,” Sooners coach Patty Gasso said. “She will throw hard. But usually freshmen take time to gain strength and they develop and she has developed really well. Her ball moves really well. She has good command. At practice, she doesn’t walk people much.”

More: Tramel: OU softball coach Patty Gasso's celebrity is out of the barn. It's not going back.

Oklahoma's Kierston Deal (11) throws a pitch during a college softball game between the California Golden Bears and the University of Oklahoma Sooners at the Norman Regional of NCAA softball tournament at Marita Hynes Field in Norman, Okla., Sunday, May, 21, 2023.
Oklahoma's Kierston Deal (11) throws a pitch during a college softball game between the California Golden Bears and the University of Oklahoma Sooners at the Norman Regional of NCAA softball tournament at Marita Hynes Field in Norman, Okla., Sunday, May, 21, 2023.

SJ Geurin

Geurin redshirted this season as a freshman but the Leander, Texas product was the No. 7 pitcher in the 2022 class according to Extra Innings softball.

As a junior in high school, she went 23-1 with a 0.93 ERA, lifting her team to a No. 1 national ranking.

Geurin’s mom, Angela, was a pitcher at Tulsa. Her dad, Robert, played football for the Golden Hurricane.

Geurin committed to the Sooners as an eighth grader.

More: Tramel's ScissorTales: Jordy Bahl's transfer from OU softball shows home still counts

Transfer portal

The Sooners will almost certainly add a pitcher in the transfer portal.

They’ve had success there the last two seasons with pitchers, adding Hope Trautwein from North Texas in 2022 and Alex Storako from Michigan in 2023.

There currently aren’t many high-level pitchers in the portal, but Bahl’s announcement figured to trigger some moves elsewhere.

One name to watch is LSU’s Sydney Berzon.

As a freshman, Berzon went 14-8 with a 1.91 ERA in 143 innings for the Tigers this season, striking out 127.

More: Is the 2023 OU softball team the best in NCAA history? Patty Gasso's Sooners have strong case

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU softball pitching staff will retool after Jordy Bahl's departure