The 2019 season will be Coach Gasso's 25th at the helm. Here is my transcript of her interview she had with Fastpitchnews.
How's the Fall going in particular in the circle?
It's been all good! I always enjoy new faces because it gives me an opportunity to coach more.
On FIU transfer Shannon Saile
She's impressive! She looks really good. Throws the ball hard and moves the ball well.
On Mariah Lopez
She has the most experience. She's looking good and taking charge, throwing hard. Been really happy with her progress.
On Parker Conrad
She's someone who went above and beyond this Summer in the way of Strength and Conditioning. She kind of gave up her Summer to stay at OU and train. She was with us last year but had a lot of injuries. We're trying to get her healthy. She has gotten stronger and dropped a significant amount of weight.
On Nicole Mendes
She's a Lefty. We didn't use her a lot last year because we really didn't need to but she is also so valuable to our defense. We've got her back on the mound. She's throwing some really good hard drop balls. Giving us some ground outs.
On Brook Vestal
She's making progress slower than the others which is natural as a Freshman. Learning the ropes, trying to gain some confidence. I like the direction she is going. She spins the ball well.
*Oger's take* Coach Gasso talked a lot about using the pitching staff by committee even more so than in the past. I get the feeling we'll see more games where the starter's get 4 or less innings next year than ever before just to keep their opponents off balance. It's definitely a good strategy to have especially when you have the luxury of having so many drastically different pitcher's on your staff. Both Vestal(She also throws a nasty Rise) and Parker can bring the heat, Lopez consistently spins the balls for strikes, and Mendes keeps the ball down inducing a lot of ground balls on windy days.
On Jen Rocha
I've been really really pleased with her and I've known her since she was in high school. I know that I can trust her with everything that I have. That's extremely important to me. I know she is loyal to the program and that's really important to me. What she brings to this program is a new kind of look for our pitcher's. A new approach. A new style that they are really really gravitating to. I like our progress.
On the offense for 2019
Well, the face that everyone recognizes right now is Jocelyn Alo and that's mainly because of her power numbers. She's still on track to want to do great things for us. She's working hard and swinging extra everyday.
Syd Romero, Shay Knighten, Fale Aviu, and Caleigh Clifton are all our leading Seniors who are really excited about leading the way for our next generation. This class of Seniors is really doing a good job of leading the way for not just this class of Freshmen but also the next class of Freshmen.
On the anticipation from the crowd when Jocelyn Alo steps up to the plate.
Yeah, she's just so powerful. I know she doesn't like being compared to Lauren Chamberlain because they are two different hitters but the only player I have ever seen with that much power is Lauren Chamberlain. She's so simple as well in the way she thinks. She doesn't get complex and nothing gets in her head. To me when you have athletes who just keep it free and loose and don't go home and cry over their performance, they're more driven to make it better. That's her. I mean if you ask her a serious question like "What were looking for? What particular pitch?" she'll tell you "I like hitting. I saw the ball and I hit it". That truly is how simple she makes it. Her power is undeniable and she's a scary hitter to face as a Pitcher.
When asked about her time with USA softball this past Summer she implied that she didn't do it in the past because it would take too much time away from her kids which pretty much squashes any notion that I had that USA softball was screwing her over.
On the new stadium
We're working on 3,000 seats with adding more to the concourse areas if needed, Right now the money is coming in but we're still looking for that "Who wants a softball field named after them" Donor. So we're in the works right now and we have a few names on the table for that. I've been honored to be a part of the drawing, plannings, and discussions with that process.
What would you like to see change in softball?
I would like to see less of the long car rides home for athletes and more encouragement. Even if you have a horrible day you shouldn't get smoked by your parents or coaches. I think most college coaches will tell you that they have athletes that are broken mentally when they come to us because they are so worried about their performances. It's heavy on some of these player's because they are stuck in that world of trying to make everyone happy. I was one of those parents and I understand that wasn't right. I've had to ask my kids to forgive me.
On player's who play multiple sports
When I go out I enjoy watching our athletes play volleyball competitions more than I do like watching them play softball because I know what they can do in softball. I've watched them play soccer. I've watched them play basketball. I love watching them play other sports. I'm looking for complete athletes who can play just about pick up any sport and excel. That tells me that they really are that athletic.
What are your goals between now and the 2019 season?
We've been working on conditioning and we've kind of checked that box. Now we are looking at strength. I'm looking for Pitcher's consistency and confidence. I'm looking for an aggressive and competitive team. Hard working always. Communicate and not be afraid to say something. It's still very much a work in progress but I'm pretty excited about the talent.
How's the Fall going in particular in the circle?
It's been all good! I always enjoy new faces because it gives me an opportunity to coach more.
On FIU transfer Shannon Saile
She's impressive! She looks really good. Throws the ball hard and moves the ball well.
On Mariah Lopez
She has the most experience. She's looking good and taking charge, throwing hard. Been really happy with her progress.
On Parker Conrad
She's someone who went above and beyond this Summer in the way of Strength and Conditioning. She kind of gave up her Summer to stay at OU and train. She was with us last year but had a lot of injuries. We're trying to get her healthy. She has gotten stronger and dropped a significant amount of weight.
On Nicole Mendes
She's a Lefty. We didn't use her a lot last year because we really didn't need to but she is also so valuable to our defense. We've got her back on the mound. She's throwing some really good hard drop balls. Giving us some ground outs.
On Brook Vestal
She's making progress slower than the others which is natural as a Freshman. Learning the ropes, trying to gain some confidence. I like the direction she is going. She spins the ball well.
*Oger's take* Coach Gasso talked a lot about using the pitching staff by committee even more so than in the past. I get the feeling we'll see more games where the starter's get 4 or less innings next year than ever before just to keep their opponents off balance. It's definitely a good strategy to have especially when you have the luxury of having so many drastically different pitcher's on your staff. Both Vestal(She also throws a nasty Rise) and Parker can bring the heat, Lopez consistently spins the balls for strikes, and Mendes keeps the ball down inducing a lot of ground balls on windy days.
On Jen Rocha
I've been really really pleased with her and I've known her since she was in high school. I know that I can trust her with everything that I have. That's extremely important to me. I know she is loyal to the program and that's really important to me. What she brings to this program is a new kind of look for our pitcher's. A new approach. A new style that they are really really gravitating to. I like our progress.
On the offense for 2019
Well, the face that everyone recognizes right now is Jocelyn Alo and that's mainly because of her power numbers. She's still on track to want to do great things for us. She's working hard and swinging extra everyday.
Syd Romero, Shay Knighten, Fale Aviu, and Caleigh Clifton are all our leading Seniors who are really excited about leading the way for our next generation. This class of Seniors is really doing a good job of leading the way for not just this class of Freshmen but also the next class of Freshmen.
On the anticipation from the crowd when Jocelyn Alo steps up to the plate.
Yeah, she's just so powerful. I know she doesn't like being compared to Lauren Chamberlain because they are two different hitters but the only player I have ever seen with that much power is Lauren Chamberlain. She's so simple as well in the way she thinks. She doesn't get complex and nothing gets in her head. To me when you have athletes who just keep it free and loose and don't go home and cry over their performance, they're more driven to make it better. That's her. I mean if you ask her a serious question like "What were looking for? What particular pitch?" she'll tell you "I like hitting. I saw the ball and I hit it". That truly is how simple she makes it. Her power is undeniable and she's a scary hitter to face as a Pitcher.
When asked about her time with USA softball this past Summer she implied that she didn't do it in the past because it would take too much time away from her kids which pretty much squashes any notion that I had that USA softball was screwing her over.
On the new stadium
We're working on 3,000 seats with adding more to the concourse areas if needed, Right now the money is coming in but we're still looking for that "Who wants a softball field named after them" Donor. So we're in the works right now and we have a few names on the table for that. I've been honored to be a part of the drawing, plannings, and discussions with that process.
What would you like to see change in softball?
I would like to see less of the long car rides home for athletes and more encouragement. Even if you have a horrible day you shouldn't get smoked by your parents or coaches. I think most college coaches will tell you that they have athletes that are broken mentally when they come to us because they are so worried about their performances. It's heavy on some of these player's because they are stuck in that world of trying to make everyone happy. I was one of those parents and I understand that wasn't right. I've had to ask my kids to forgive me.
On player's who play multiple sports
When I go out I enjoy watching our athletes play volleyball competitions more than I do like watching them play softball because I know what they can do in softball. I've watched them play soccer. I've watched them play basketball. I love watching them play other sports. I'm looking for complete athletes who can play just about pick up any sport and excel. That tells me that they really are that athletic.
What are your goals between now and the 2019 season?
We've been working on conditioning and we've kind of checked that box. Now we are looking at strength. I'm looking for Pitcher's consistency and confidence. I'm looking for an aggressive and competitive team. Hard working always. Communicate and not be afraid to say something. It's still very much a work in progress but I'm pretty excited about the talent.
