Skip to main content
Oklahoma

OU softball transfer pitchers Miali Guachino, Sydney Berzon the final pieces

Bob Przybyloby: Bob Przybylo4 hours agoBPrzybylo
Sydney Berzon2
OU pitcher Sydney Berzon. (Nathan J. Fish - Imagn Images)

A little bit different feeling for OU softball following the 2025 season. Everybody knew after 2024 that OU had to hit the transfer portal.

Patty Gasso wasn’t afraid to and landed a sensational class, to go with a stellar freshmen group as well.

You needed nametags, though, to get a feel of who everybody was. Not so much this summer. The freshmen grew up in a hurry. The returners are ready to anchor the charge.

For Gasso and OU? Just about finding the final pieces. Not a massive overhaul. Just get that one or two players to complete the 2026 package.

That meant in the circle, and OU landed former LSU star pitcher Sydney Berzon and freshman star Miali Guachino (Ole Miss).

OK, Jen Rocha, time to have some fun.

“I really like her,” said Gasso about Guachino. “She has got a really infectious smile and kind of quiet but funny personality that I’m learning about. And she takes her pitching very seriously and I think she’s really connecting with Coach Rocha and there is just a mutual bond that is starting to build.

“But she is really, really good and she is going to get that much better because she is really, really detailed about it. She really wants it. You can feel that. Her work ethic and focus is there.”

Guachino was pivotal in the Rebels making the Women’s College World Series for the first time in program history.

She’s got time to develop under Rocha. Berzon? The time is now. It’s Berzon and Kierston Deal as the veterans for this group.

As you talk to Gasso, though, you get the impression that she is ready to see another senior year explosion. Like Kelly Maxwell in 2024 and Sam Landry in 2025. Here comes Berzon for 2026?

“Really good, really good. She brings in some senior leadership, as does KD,” Gasso said. “But Sydney Berzon is going to get better than she is right now, and I know that she is in a new program with a new coach, with a new training staff. We’re really working hard to give her what she needs and have the right people working for her.

“When that happens, and she’s totally committed to the rehab side of things and working in the training room, but when that happens, you’re going to see something. She’s going to become what she always thought she could become, and what’s going to be wonderful about it, it’s happening here at Oklahoma her senior year. So I’m just glad we’re all going to be here to witness it.” 

OU continues its Battle Series with another event 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Love’s Field. It has been moved because of the threat of weather.

You may also like