Oklahoma OF Rylie Boone is 'Lost in the Game' and Enjoying the Best Season of Her Career

The Oklahoma star has stepped into a larger role in the dugout to pair with her impact performances on the diamond for Patty Gasso's top-ranked Sooners.

Oklahoma's Rylie Boone (0) bunts during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma / SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY

NORMAN — Oklahoma had just finished the first game of a double-header against Iowa State. 

The Sooners strolled to a comfortable 4-0 victory, largely thanks to Kelly Maxwell’s shutdown outing in the circle. 

In the quick turnaround between the first and second contests of the day at Love’s Field, OU coach Patty Gasso had a simple ask of her team. 

“The energy in the first game was not exactly what we were looking for,” Gasso said that day. “… This is boring to be honest. It was almost a boring style. This isn’t us. 

“… Momentum is big in softball. I was talking to these guys about it. When you’re 4 years old, you’re doing these cheers (in the dugout) in T-ball. That’s how you learn. But you’re in college and still doing the same stuff. In baseball, it’s not like that. I think that creates the energy a team needs to create momentum and force at the plate.”

Gasso got the response she wanted, as Oklahoma was boisterous in the final game of the day. The results followed as well. The Sooners throttled Iowa State 11-2.

One of the leaders of the charge in the dugout was outfielder Rylie Boone.

She’s accustomed to making big plays on the field, whether it be laying down an inch-perfect bunt for a single or robbing opposing hitters of an extra-base hit in the outfield. 

Her actions on the field are generally followed by loud “BOONE!” chants from the fans at Love’s Field, but her efforts to keep the energy levels high in the dugout ring out throughout any stadium the Sooners step into. 

Leading the chants for her teammates isn’t always easy for Boone, but she knows how essential it’s been for the team to play free and easy in 2024. 

“It gets kind of exhausting to always try and be at a 10,” Boone said on Tuesday. “… I think I just locked in with Christ on depending on him for that strength but also just exhausting myself for the team. And I think that’s what a lot of us do to be a good teammate.”

Boone’s work off the field can take a toll. 

Not only is she physically exhausted after a hard-fought series, she’s mentally spent as well. 

Learning how to balance everything has been a constant evolution throughout her storied career at Oklahoma, and she continues to find new ways to unwind once the business is done on the field. 

“The word of God (helps),” she said. “Constantly being in my Bible and knowing that if I’m not in it I’m probably gonna be at a five. But also resetting and not taking the field home with me. I’m not going home and thinking about my at-bats. 

“I’ll go to (Alynah) Torres’ house and hang out there for maybe like five hours. I go hang out with Q (Lilio). I’m not taking softball home with me. I’m separating the two.”

No matter how difficult it’s been for Boone to balance bringing the energy come game time and relaxing on days off, there’s been no evidence of any struggles in her play. 

Boone is OU’s 9-hole hitter in name only. She leads the team with a .463 batting average and sports a spectacular .506 on-base percentage. The veteran outfielder has driven in 18 runs, and has eight doubles, a triple and a home run in 32 appearances. 

She’s on pace for a career year, but the secret sauce for her has been to stay away from overthinking her own at-bats, instead honing in on her teammates’ success. 

“I’m getting lost in the game,” Boone said. “I’m not really focusing on myself but I’m really keeping my eyes up. I’m not really getting locked in of just my at-bats but I’m really getting locked into other people’s at-bats. And then also taking everything that’s going on. 

“It’s my last season so I’m more focused… It’s easy to look forward but I’m just so present right now of each pitch, each inning on defense and just trying to support anyone that I can.”

This article originally published on March 26, 2024.