Softball 2/25/2021 5:21:00 PM

OCU enters season with seasoned squad

Stars bring back majority of team from 2020

OKLAHOMA CITY – Nearly all of Oklahoma City University's softball student-athletes returned from last year's team for the 2021 season.
The Stars will take a veteran ball club into the upcoming season. OCU's roster includes 2020 Sooner Athletic Conference pitcher of the year Jaden Shores and three-time first-team all-conference performer Kennedy Jackson.
Phil McSpadden has guided Oklahoma City to 10 national championships won in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2007, 2016 and 2017 with six national runner-up finishes. The Stars were the runner-up in the 2019 NAIA Softball World Series.
Wintry weather in the area has delayed the start of the Stars' season to this point. The Stars' twin bill set for Friday at Mid-America Christian has been postponed due to unplayable field conditions with no makeup date set.

TOP RETURNERS

• Shores, a senior from Blanchard, Okla., is a three-time all-conference pitcher with two first-team all-SAC honors and league freshman of the year. Shores went 9-1 with a 1.29 earned run average, six complete games, two shutouts, two saves and 66 strikeouts in 59.2 innings pitched last year. For her career, Shores owns a 71-9 record, 1.34 ERA, 32 shutouts, eight no-hitters and 459 strikeouts in 475.1 innings hurled
• Jackson, a senior infielder from Moore, Okla., gained the 2019 NFCA golden shoe award in honor of her speed on the basepaths. Jackson hit .395 with five doubles, 14 RBIs and a league-leading 31 runs scored and 20 stolen bases in 2020. She is a two-time consensus NAIA all-American
• Sarah Fisher, a senior outfielder from Vista, Calif., snagged SAC newcomer of the year and first-team all-SAC a year ago. She topped the league in RBIs (34), hits (40), doubles (nine), triples (three) and total bases (58) while hitting .533 with a home run and 11 steals
• Baileigh Loux, a senior catcher-outfielder from Reno, Nev., became a two-time all-SAC choice. Loux turned in a .339 average, three homers, 16 RBIs and nine steals last season. She owns a .399 average, 16 homers, 117 runs driven in and 37 steals in her career. She hauled in first-team all-American accolades from the NAIA and NFCA as a sophomore
• Christie Betker, a senior pitcher from Reno, Nev., and Kaitlyn Jones, a sophomore from Edmond, Okla., made second-team all-SAC last year. Betker was 6-2 with a 3.10 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 49.2 innings. Jones carried a .347 average with 16 RBIs and 15 stolen bases
• Mallory McCoy, a sophomore from Mustang, Okla., picked up SAC gold glove honors. She had a .978 fielding percentage to go with a .379 average and 17 RBIs in 2020

PRESEASON BUZZ

• Oklahoma City was slated to finish second in the preseason SAC coaches poll. OCU was three points behind preseason favorite USAO in the polling and garnered three No. 1 votes
• The Stars hold the fourth spot in the preseason NAIA softball rankings. OCU made the top 25 for the 145th consecutive poll and the top five for the 14th ranking in a row

MEET THE COACH

• McSpadden has built the nation's finest small-college softball program and most storied program in the NAIA at Oklahoma City, capturing 10 national championships, the most in NAIA history, while becoming college softball's leader in wins against four-year schools
• McSpadden has directed OCU to 1,745 victories in 33 years. McSpadden recorded his 1,700th victory 5-3 on April 5, 2019 against Panhandle State in Oklahoma City. OCU gave McSpadden his 1,457th and 1,458th career wins on April 10, 2015 at Ann Lacy Stadium to surpass NCAA victory leader Margie Wright
• Among many accolades, McSpadden owns membership in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame, NAIA Hall of Fame, Oklahoma Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the OCU Athletics Hall of Fame
• In 33 seasons as OCU skipper, McSpadden has reached the 40-win plateau 31 times, the 50-win mark 22 times, and he has led the Stars to seven 60-win campaigns. He has an overall record of 1,745-387 (.818 winning percentage)

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

• OCU returns to Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City for the Red Dirt Classic hosted by Langston on March 5-6. OCU played home games at Hall of Fame Stadium from 1993-2007 until Ann Lacy Stadium was completed for the 2008 season. The SAC Tournament took place at Hall of Fame Stadium until 2013, and the NAIA Championships were contested at Hall of Fame in 1988. The Stars last played at Hall of Fame Stadium on May 4, 2013, when Lubbock Christian (Texas) knocked off OCU 6-5 in the conference tournament championship game. Hall of Fame Stadium has underwent major renovations over the years and is set as the host of the NCAA Women's College World Series until 2035
• The Stars square off with second-ranked USAO in a 2 p.m. doubleheader April 24 at Ann Lacy Stadium. Each of OCU's contests during April are home games
• The SAC Tournament occurs May 6-8 with pool play being contested at Ann Lacy Stadium and USAO. The title game is set for Ann Lacy Stadium

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Players Mentioned

#12 Christie Betker: P; 6' 0"; Senior; R/R

#11 Sarah Fisher: OF; 5' 6"; Senior; R/R

#1 Kennedy Jackson: INF; 5' 1"; Senior; L/R

#4 Kaitlyn Jones: OF; 5' 6"; Sophomore; R/R

#9 Baileigh Loux: C/OF; 5' 9"; Senior; R/R

#16 Mallory McCoy: INF; 5' 4"; Sophomore; R/R

#19 Jaden Shores: P/INF; 5' 9"; Senior; R/R

Players Mentioned

#12 Christie Betker
: 6' 0"; Senior; R/R
: P

#11 Sarah Fisher
: 5' 6"; Senior; R/R
: OF

#1 Kennedy Jackson
: 5' 1"; Senior; L/R
: INF

#4 Kaitlyn Jones
: 5' 6"; Sophomore; R/R
: OF

#9 Baileigh Loux
: 5' 9"; Senior; R/R
: C/OF

#16 Mallory McCoy
: 5' 4"; Sophomore; R/R
: INF

#19 Jaden Shores
: 5' 9"; Senior; R/R
: P/INF