Sooner softball does it again; another top-ranked signing class for 2025
By Chip Rouse
For those in the world of college softball who are tired of the four-time defending NCAA national champion Oklahoma Sooners' stranglehold on the sport's top perch, I wouldn't hold your breath.
On Wednesday, Oklahoma signed six elite recruits to its 2025 class representing the future of Sooner softball. And we're talking about another very special class. In the category of continued success breeds more success. Four of the 2025 signees rank in the top five nationally, making this Oklahoma class No. 1 nationally, according to Softball America.
"This group of six represents one of the most athletic and powerful recruiting classes we have ever assembled," head coach Patty Gasso told reporters. "The thought of merging them with our returners next season is incredibly intriguing.
"It's an extremely talented class that will help help keep our program at the top," the Sooners' longtime head coach said.
Among the six OU signees is outfielder Kai Minor from Irvine, California, the top-ranked player in the 2025 class nationally, A left-handed hitter, Minor hit .539 during the 2023-24 season with the OC Batbusters with 31 home runs, 119 runs batted in, 138 runs scored and 29 stolen bases.
The Sooners also will bring in the top-ranked pitcher and No. 2 overall player nationally in Oklahoma native Alyssa Parker. The 2024 Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year throws from the right side and posted a 0.10 ERA last season along with 229 strikeouts in 134 innings.
OU's 2025 softball class also includes another state Gatorade Player of the Year in right-handed pitcher Sophia Bordi from Merchantville, New Jersey. Lexi McDonald, from St. Joseph, Missouri, can play multiple infield positions and is ranked as the No. 3 player nationally. Kendall Wells, a right-hand-hitting catcher out of Bogart, Georgia, is the No. 5-ranked player nationally.
Right-handed pitcher Berkley Zache will be joining her sister, freshman catcher Riley Zache, on the Sooners' 2025 roster. The pitching-catching sister duo is from Niles, Michigan.
Oklahoma's 2025 class fills some important position needs for OU and also reflects the Sooners' national recruiting reach, a prime reason for their enormous success the last 30 seasons under Gasso's leadership.
Over the last four seasons Oklahoma has compiled a sensational 235-15 record, including a record-setting 61-1 mark in 2023.