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Jan. 22, 2008
 
NORMAN, Okla. -- The 2008 softball season has already started for the University of Oklahoma softball team as the 2007 Big 12 Postseason Champions have been busy practicing at Marita Hynes Field preparing for their season opener against UCLA in the Freeway Series Tournament (Feb. 8-10) in Westwood and Fullerton, Calif.
 
In preparation for the upcoming season, SoonerSports.com will preview the 2008 Oklahoma softball team under the direction of head coach Patty Gasso, who enters her 14th at the helm of the Sooner program.
 
Tuesday's preview will feature a brief glance at the Oklahoma infield and outfield in 2008.
 
Oklahoma, picked second by the coaches in the Big 12 preseason poll, will kick off its 2008 season at the Meet the Sooners Banquet on Friday, Feb. 1. Following a casual dinner, a highlight video will kick off the dinner along with a short preview from head coach Patty Gasso.
 

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THE INFIELD
Oklahoma will have a very similar look in the infield this season after losing only one infielder from last season.  The Sooners will have to replace Norrelle Dickson, a consistent starter at third base for the Sooners.  Freshman Dani Dobbs and junior Jessica Legendre are in the heaviest competition for the position and it most likely will depend on each player's bats throughout the season.

Top Returners Pos. B/T  Name Ht. Year  2007 Stats SS R/R  Savannah Long 5-8 Sr. .945 Field %, 28 RBI, six HR 2B R/R  Traci Dickenson  5-4 Jr. .957 Field %, Turned nine double plays 1B L/L  Sam Ricketts 5-9 Jr. .987 Field %, 81 RBI

"This could be a position that could go back and forth throughout the season," Gasso said.  "Both worked extremely hard in the fall and the player who is producing the best at the plate will have the advantage."

Player to Watch Savannah Long | Sr. | SS Long will be the leader in 2008 as the shortstop and captain is the only senior among the infielders.  Long's cannon from shortstop doesn't allow many opponents to get on base.

Highlighting the infield is flame-throwing, all-everything shortstop Long.  The senior was named the captain of the squad for the 2008 season and will be the leader for the infield and she is the only senior among the infield positions.
 
Anchoring the right side of the field are Dickenson and Ricketts, who both bring experience to second and first, respectively. Freshman Wendy Trott could also fill in for Ricketts at first as they are interchangeable at the first base and designated player positions.
 
THE OUTFIELD
Unlike the infield, the outfield could look very different for the Sooners this season.  Flores will be the lone starter returning as the sophomore will remain in her spot in left field.  As a freshman, Flores only committed one error in 61 starts in left field.
 

Top Returner Pos. B/T  Name Ht. Year  2007 Stats LF R/R  Amber Flores 5-4 So. .985 Field %, 8 HR, 41 RBI

 

Player to Watch Amber Flores | So. | Left Field Flores will be the lone outfield starter returning in 2008.  She was the only freshman to earn All-Midwest Region honors last season and is deceptively fast in the outfield.

The Sooners will have to find a replacement for last year's senior center fielder Jamie Fox, the leader in the outfield. Freshman Krystle Huey and sophomore Iver McDonald will be in heavy competition for the centerfield spot.
 
Right field will also have a new look as freshman Chana'e Jones and utility player Susan Ogden could also see some time at right.  Ogden, a senior, saw a lot of action in the fall in the outfield and can also play catcher or designated player.  Placing Ogden in right field remains a way to keep the All-American's bat in the lineup.
 
Freshman Haley Anderson and junior Jeannie Douglas will provide backup relief in the outfield while Trott could also see action in right.
 
Season Preview Schedule:
Monday: Outlook and Lineup
Tuesday: Infield and Outfield
Wednesday: The Battery