THREE STORYLINES

NORMAN — Oklahoma softball opens the 2019 season Friday at the GCU Kickoff Tournament in Phoenix.

Here are three things to know about the Sooners:

Transfer ace

Oklahoma's pitching staff will take on a different look in 2019 following the departures of senior star pitchers Paige Parker and Paige Lowary. “This year's gonna be more of a pitching staff by committee,” coach Patty Gasso said. “So we've got six options and they're all good options, but we believe we're gonna piece it together.”

Junior left-hander Giselle Juarez, who transferred to OU in January from Arizona State, will likely lead the rotation. Juarez was a first team AllAmerican in her sophomore season with the Sun Devils. She was one of nine Division-I pitchers to strike out 300 last season en route to a 26-6 record with a 1.22 ERA.

“Giselle is a lot like, in a different way, Paige Parker,” Gasso said. “She can mix things, move things, keep hitters off balance.”

Lesson in losing

OU's march toward a third consecutive national title ended just short of the championship series last year in Oklahoma City. For now-senior infielders Shay Knighten, Sydney Romero and Caleigh Clifton, it was their first college season that didn't end in celebration. “Probably one of the hardest things to watch but the best thing that could've happened is that we did lose,” Gasso said. “Sometimes when seniors get into their senior year they're like, 'OK, this has been fun, but I'm over it. I'm ready to move on.' But they're not done. You can feel that.” Oklahoma, for the seventh consecutive year, was picked by the coaches in the preseason to win the Big 12. The Sooners finished 18-0 in the conference last year and open this season ranked No. 4 in the country.

New-look staff

Associate head coach Jennifer Rocha isn't the only new addition to Gasso's staff. Keilani Ricketts, former USA Softball Player of the Year, is also back in Norman. Ricketts was Oklahoma's ace from 201013. She compiled a 27-1 record with a 1.10 ERA in her senior season, leading the Sooners to a national title.

DJ Gasso, who just finished his college baseball career at UCO, is in his first season as a graduate assistant. He not only joins his mom, but brother and Sooner assistant coach JT Gasso.

Former Florida star pitcher Delanie Gourley also joined the Sooners as a graduate assistant. Joe Mussatto, jmussatto@oklahoman.com