Softball Transfer Portal Update – In State Schools

Lopez throws for USA Softball. via USA Softball

The transfer portal was a hot topic of conversation in Oklahoma City this spring at the Women’s College World Series.

From the bat flips of Oklahoma State transfer pitcher Samantha Show to the mostly dominant pitching of Oklahoma transfer Giselle Juarez, the transfers were in the spotlight on the game’s biggest stage.

Big 12 conference softball fans also knew about the four-player transfer to Texas from Oregon with coach Mike White. That group included three key players in the starting lineup as well as stud pitcher Miranda Elish. This transfer situation brought the most uproar from the softball community.

Softball America has begun to keep a running list of the transfer portal for the sport as it moves into the key summer months. Let’s take a look at how the list has shaken out for the in state schools. Full list at Softball America.

Oklahoma

Transfers In: None Reported

On Portal: Mariah Lopez, P; Parker Conrad, P; Alexa Schultz, OF

Transfers Out: None Confirmed

The Sooners appear to be losing several players, but certainly a key contributor if Lopez decides to confirm her exit. She is in the portal and searching for a new destination. The latest comment from Coach Patty Gasso implied the process is still ongoing.

Lopez would be a big loss for the Sooners. She was coming off an undefeated 14-0 season when she was passed over by last year’s highly touted transfer in Juarez so one could understand if Lopez has some frustration. She has multiple no-hitters and 10 complete games for OU.

She would have one year of eligibility for any school she decided to finish at.

Parker Conrad has just 22 appearances with the Sooners in three years and likely will have to target a lower level program for her senior year. Alexa Schultz played 41 games in her freshman season and 19 this year, but mostly as a pinch runner and has two years of eligibility left.

Oklahoma State

Transfers In: Hayley Busby, IF; Carrie Eberle, P

On Portal: None Reported

Transfers Out: None Confirmed

So far, the Cowgirls have had a more positive relationship with the portal this season than their Bedlam rival, but that can change in an instant. Both of the incoming transfers as reported by Softball America will likely come into fall ball as the favorite to earn starting roles.

Busby is a contact-hitting infielder, whose numbers are reminiscent of Rylee Bayless minus the walks. She struck out just 13 times last season, which should help a Cowgirl roster that struck out 365 times.

Busby hit .388 with a 1.125 OPS. She could take the spot Madi Sue Montgomery vacates at second base.

The Eberle news was among the most interacted Tweet in the past few weeks on the account, with OSU fans and softball fans alike taking notice.

BREAKING: Carrie Eberle is headed to Oklahoma State.

The 2019 ACC Pitcher and Scholar of the Year finished with a 25-8 record and 1.84 ERA in 201.1 IP. https://t.co/7srm23VOWv pic.twitter.com/XTtFNsdyWM

— Softball America (@SoftbalAmerica) June 24, 2019

Eberle was last year’s ACC pitcher of the year, which might shock Cowgirl fans who saw another of the ACC’s best pitchers in Meghan King.

Eberle will be a senior so she will bring her dominant skills in the circle to Cowgirl Stadium for just one year. Last season she had a 1.84 ERA in 36 appearances. She also had 23 complete games and struck out 164 batters.

Tulsa

Transfers In: None Reported

On Portal: None Reported

Transfers Out: None Confirmed

The quietness surrounding Tulsa is worth noting because of the departure of former coach John Bargfeldt, who is the new pitching coach at OSU. There was some worry that his resignation could spark an exodus from the Golden Hurricane roster, but according to this list, so far so good for Tulsa.