Among all the positions on the Oklahoma softball’s 2026 roster, the infield is going to be one of the most interesting areas to watch as the season unfolds. While pitchers and catchers get only one spot each in the starting lineup, the corners give Patty Gasso an opportunity to experiment with some of the most lethal bats in country that includes sophomores Nelly McEnroe-Marinas and Gabbie Garcia, two candidates on the Top 50 Watch List for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year.
Alongside three returning sophomores from the 2025 Women’s College World Series semifinal team and two freshmen, McEnroe-Marinas and Garcia won’t be the only players protecting the bases as the Sooners’ depth allows adaptability on the field. Senior Ailana Agbayani won the Rawlings Gold Glove at second base last season, which guarantees her to stay there, while sophomore Riley Zache will also be available.
2026 OU softball infield preview
McEnroe-Marinas is a lock for third base after a phenomenal 2025 season. She batted a .339 average with 64 hits, 62 runs and 15 homers, and led the team during the fall scrimmages with a 4-1 record in the OU Battle Series.
One of the four remaining members from the 2024 Women’s College World Series championship team, although an injury forced her freshman debut to end early, McEnroe-Marinas is ranked No. 41 in the Top 100 Players and No. 4 in Preseason Third Base Rankings, according to Softball America, and on the Preseason All-SEC Team.
Garcia had a standout freshman campaign with a team-leading 20 bombs, plus a .351 batting average, 48 runs and 61 hits. She was named a 2026 Preseason First-Team All-American, No. 2 in Preseason Shortstop Rankings and No. 14 in the 2026 Top 100 Players by Softball America, while also landing on the Preseason All-SEC Team.
Sophomore Sydney Barker is back for her second season after clinging three hits off Texas Tech pitcher Nijaree Canady in the 2025 WCWS. She will mainly be a first baseman, but can also play shortstop or right field. Her stats last year included a .349 batting average, 21 runs, 29 hits and eight homers.
Freshman Lexi McDaniel begins her college career as the top-ranked infielder in the 2025 recruiting class by Softball America, which also named her to its 2026 Freshman Watch List. McDaniel appeared in all seven fall games, where she tapped six hits and scored seven runs.
Freshman Ori Mailo is the latest addition to the roster after joining Oklahoma in January 2026. She reclassified for the upcoming season after originally slated to start her college career in 2027 as Softball America’s No. 4 player in the 2026 recruiting class.