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RECRUITING: Atascocita's Pickering picks National Champ Oklahoma as college home
HOUSTON - Since Kasidi Pickering was four years old she has put the work in on the softball diamond.
On Friday, that work paid off as the Atascocita junior verbally committed to defending National Champion Oklahoma to continue her softball career.
"I'm excited I want to win so I know I will have the opportunity to do it," Pickering said. "The home feeling on campus and everything about the program and the people [is what sold me]."
Atascocita coach Ashley Boyd added: "[Kasidi] is an unbelievably gifted player with an insane softball IQ and worth ethic. Anytime we have an athlete commit to play and further their education, it's huge. To have a player commit to the top team in the country is incredibly exciting and a testament to how hard she has worked to get herself to this point. I know the rest of our program is excited for her and as a coaching staff, we couldn't be more proud of her."
Boomer sooner
I would like to thank all hotshots coaches and players I've played with who have gotten me to where I am today. Happily like to announce my commitment to the University of Oklahoma to continue my softball career and education.♥️♥️ pic.twitter.com/qUytKDN4rk
— Kasidi Pickering (@PickeringKasidi) September 24, 2021
According to Extra Innings Softball, Pickering is the No. 4 overall player in the country in the Class of 2023 and the No. 2 outfielder in the country.
Pickering is coming off a breakout sophomore season for the Lady Eagles.
The 2023 prospect finished the season being named the District 21-6A MVP after hitting .500 in 102 plate appearances with 10 home runs, eight doubles and five triples with 27 RBIs. Pickering also had 10 stolen bases and was 2-0 in five appearances in the circle with a 1.58 ERA and 21 strikeouts.
As Pickering took the time to look forward to her collegiate future on Friday, it also allowed her time to reflect on all the people who have gotten her to this point.
"[I want to thank] every person in the Hotshots organization and my parents for the opportunity to be where I am," Pickering, whose favorite softball memory is winning PGF three times and any memory with her teammates, said.
Another exciting detail in picking Oklahoma, which has won five National Championships and made 14 Women's College World Series appearances, is that by the time she steps on campus as a Sooner they will either be almost in or already playing in the Southeastern Conference - which has produced three National Champs since 2012.
"I will be playing against a lot of my former teammates!," Pickering said.
| @AHS_Softball_ HC Ashley Boyd to VYPE in a text on new @OU_Softball (Reigning National Champs) commit @PickeringKasidi | BTW OU has 5 National Championships & just added Pickering who is No. 4 overall prospect for Class of 2023 & No. 2 Outfielder in Nation by @ExtraInningSB pic.twitter.com/iegxR55qaC
— VYPE Houston (@vypehouston) September 24, 2021
The Colony softball star, Jayda Coleman, playing for the NCAA National Title
Recruited out of high school as the consensus No. 1 prospect in the class of 2020, Jayda Coleman has continued to make waves in the softball world at Oklahoma. With a passion for softball that can't be taught, a high school state championship under her belt as well as an incredible high school career, Coleman is looking for a National Championship.
High School Career
Kevin Shelton
As a short-stop at The Colony, Coleman made quite the name for herself. Not only was the star athlete a six-time, all-state honoree, three-time All-American, and District MVP, she also earned the honor of District Newcomer of the Year and Utility MVP in four years of playing. Coleman was also selected to the USA Softball Junior Women's National Team in high school where she helped lead the U.S. to the WBSC u-19 World Cup Title hitting .435 with 10 hits, six runs, three RBIs, and five stolen bases.
In 2017, Coleman helped lead The Colony to a UIL Class 5A State Championship Title. In 2019, she helped lead The Colony to the semifinals. Coleman finished high school holding the state record for most runs all-time at 261 runs. She recorded 279 career hits, a .702 batting average, and 209 stolen bases. To cap off her high school career, Coleman was named as the 2019-2020 Gatorade National Softball Player of the Year.
Sooner Frosh Star
OU Athletics
It's no doubt that the Sooners like to snag great softball players when they see them- this has been proven with Jayda Coleman who has helped lead the team to this season's Women's College World Series. To date, Coleman has recorded 69 runs on 70 hits as well as 47 RBIs and eight home runs for the Sooners. Defensively, Coleman has recorded 84 putouts.
Coleman and OU will have the opportunity to play against Florida State for the NCAA softball national championship title beginning Tuesday.