Patty Gasso and the Sooners secure their second commitment from a transfer in softball.
After winning their fourth consecutive national championship, the Oklahoma softball program saw three players enter the transfer portal, along with the departure of 10 seniors from the 2024 roster.
On Sunday, coach Patty Gasso secured a commitment from Utah outfielder Abby Dayton through the transfer portal, marking the Sooners’ second addition in less than a week. With significant turnover expected from the 2024 to 2025 seasons, more additions to the roster are anticipated.
Dayton’s commitment follows closely on the heels of Oklahoma’s acquisition of former North Carolina catcher/infielder Isabela Emerling from the transfer portal. The Sooners, particularly in need of outfield assistance following the graduations of Rylie Boone and Jayda Coleman, were attracted to Dayton’s standout performance in the Pac-12 Conference this past season. The Riverside, California native led the conference with a .431 batting average, six triples (tied for 13th in NCAA Division I softball), and ranked second with a .521 on-base percentage.
Dayton, like Emerling, has two years of eligibility remaining and is expected to start for the Sooners when the 2025 season kicks off in February. There’s speculation that Dayton could take over center field and leadoff duties, akin to Coleman’s role over the past four seasons.
Interestingly, Dayton attended Norco High in Southern California, the same alma mater as departing catcher Kinzie Hansen. This connection to OU softball and the Gasso family extends further, as Dayton played under Patty Gasso’s son DJ during the 2023 season when he served as Utah’s softball hitting coach.
