OU softball: Tracking Sooners' arrivals, departures via transfer portal in 2023 offseason

ryan aber, oklahoman

Tue, Jun 27, 2023, 8:45 PM·2 min read

NORMAN — The OU softball program has built heavily through the transfer portal in recent years, both with one-year players (among them Hope Trautwein, Alex Storako, Haley Lee) and longer-term additions (Cydney Sanders, Alyssa Brito).

They’ve also had players transfer out to seek more playing time and success elsewhere.

After becoming just the second program to win back-to-back-to-back titles, the Sooners will experience both sides of that over the offseason.

OU figures to need to add to its pitching staff, with Jordy Bahl’s unexpected departure, and on the infield.

Here’s a look at the Sooners’ transfer portal activity:

More: Tramel's ScissorTales: Jordy Bahl feels relief & joy in transfer from OU to Nebraska

Incoming players

Paytn Monticelli, pitcher (Wisconsin)

Monticelli was 7-4 with a 2.71 ERA as a freshman last season for the Badgers. With Jordy Bahl's departure, she gives the Sooners an experienced arm with three years of eligibility remaining. She struck out 82 in 80 innings, including a season-high 13 strikeouts in a complete-game victory over North Carolina in February.

Riley Ludlam, catcher/shortstop (Furman)

After hitting .283 combined during her first three seasons at Fordham, Ludlam hit .372 with 10 home runs and 41 RBIs with a 1.109 OPS last season. She also had a .988 fielding percentage.

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

Outgoing players

Jordy Bahl, pitcher (transfer portal)

After a pair of dominant seasons for the Sooners, serving as OU’s ace for two seasons, Bahl surprisingly announced she was transferring back home to Nebraska. Bahl was 44-2 with 397 strikeouts and a 0.99 ERA during her time with the Sooners.

Sophia Nugent, catcher/utility (transfer portal)

Nugent saw her role increase significantly in 2023, hitting .274 with seven home runs and 23 RBIs in 50 games — 18 starts — as a sophomore. But late in the season, she was largely limited to pinch-hit and late-game appearances. She transferred to Tennessee, which has become a popular destination for Sooners transferring out.

Jocelyn Erickson, catcher/utility (transfer portal)

While Bahl’s and Nugent’s announcements came shortly after the season ended, Erickson didn’t enter the portal until June 26. As a freshman, she hit .337 with seven home runs and 32 RBIs. But most of that production came early in the season. After hitting .561 in her first 18 games, Erickson hit just .217 the rest of the way.

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