Alynah Torres, Avery Hodge example of OU selfless attitude
There are just only so many positions and spots in the lineup for OU softball. Every single player on that roster, obviously, wants that chance.
But what head coach Patty Gasso can appreciate is the way sophomore Avery Hodge and senior Alynah Torres have handled the second base role.
Because it’s not Torres’ spot or Hodge’s spot. It’s their position, and they’ve made it their own with the work throughout the 2024 season.
“It works really well, and I know both of them would love to play a whole game,” said Gasso earlier this season. “I get that. When it comes to what we need, it depends on the pitcher we’re facing and so forth. If Alynah hits a ball in the gap and get her to first or second and a tight game, I can bring Avery in to run. To steal a base and set herself up to second to score.
“Avery has shown some really good defense, but so has Alynah. And now Avery’s offense has shown itself where she’s really kind of popping things to right or left field. But she can also hit it out. The combination of the two works really, really well.”
The duo has combined for just one error this season. Hodge is hitting .314 and continues to fare well in the pinch runner role. Torres’ versatility has been talked about repeatedly. But it needs to be said.
Wherever Gasso needs Torres to be, the senior can make that move. Heck, she was the emergency catcher after the injury to Kinzie Hansen.
Torres has come up big time and time again and is hitting .375 with eight home runs and 30 RBIs. She is making this final run count.
Feeling free
Gasso has stressed this season about the team playing free. About not worrying with the outcome and more about the process of how you’re getting there.
As the team continues to teeter from outstanding to just really good (I guess), Gasso once again talked about what this looks like.
“I think when they get lost in the game and don’t get caught up in outcomes,” Gasso said. “You’ve seen some uncharacteristic times when we’re just getting really mad at ourselves. The slamming of a bat or something that is really frustrating them.
“When we try too hard, that is just not our game. It just comes that naturally because they are those super athletes. I feel like we’ve been challenged that way. But I know this team and trust this team. I know they’re going to give it their all and their heart the rest of the way.”
Scouting UCF
Last weekend was the first time you saw Central Florida sort of fall back to the rest of the pack. A three-game sweep against Baylor where UCF only scored one run in three games.
But what that means is you imagine UCF is going to bring every single thing it has for its only series against the Sooners.
“They’ve got power and speed, few slappers,” Gasso said. “They can put up big numbers. Our pitching staff is going to have to be really good. Going to have to keep their playmakers off the basepaths. They’re going to bow up.
“A lot of noise, fans. From what I hear, don’t know if this is truth or not, $300 a ticket? Maybe no one will be there for that price. It’s a small stadium so trying to make some money out of it, don’t blame them. Big 12 championship is going to go through UCF and then bring it back here.”
