Just one day following OU softball’s triumphant fourth consecutive national title win, a highly sought-after recruit, who has pledged her commitment to the Sooners, has clinched one of Oklahoma’s prestigious accolades.
Allyssa Parker, hailing from Pocola, has been announced as the recipient of the 2023-24 Gatorade Oklahoma Softball Player of the Year award, as revealed by the company on Friday.
Parker, demonstrating her versatility as both a pitcher and infielder, made her commitment to OU in September. She currently holds the rank of the eighth-best prospect nationally in the 2025 class, according to Extra Innings Softball.
Standing tall at 5-foot-11, Parker played an instrumental role in leading Pocola to the final of the Class 2A fastpitch softball state championship game last autumn.
In the pitching circle, she boasted an impressive 17-4 record, maintaining a stellar 0.79 ERA while tallying 172 strikeouts across 123 innings. On the offensive side, Parker showcased her prowess with a .377 batting average, along with 12 home runs, 39 RBIs, 52 runs scored, and 25 stolen bases.
Mustang coach Lacy Darity expressed high praise for Parker, stating, “If I were starting a team, I think my first pick would be Parker. She’s a really good pitcher, but she is dangerous at the plate, too — maybe the most feared hitter in the state. She’d definitely be my first choice to build a team around.”
Beyond softball, Parker exhibits her versatility as a standout basketball player, contributing significantly to Pocola’s journey to the state tournament while averaging an impressive 29.3 points per game.
Parker’s achievement as the Gatorade Oklahoma Softball Player of the Year marks a significant milestone for Pocola, as she becomes the first girl from the school to receive this honor.
