Why Patty Gasso is Excited About Jayda Coleman's Offensive Evolution at Oklahoma
NORMAN — Jayda Coleman is Oklahoma’s energizer bunny.
From the moment she hops off the bus, she’s a vocal leader.
When Patty Gasso moved Coleman up to the leadoff spot last year, even walks would ignite the dugout, as Coleman roared to her teammates on her way to first base.
This season is expected to be no different, but throughout the preseason Gasso said Coleman has found another avenue to spark the Sooners.
“The person that’s really impressed me power-wise is Jayda Coleman,” Gasso said during her preseason press conference on Monday. “You see her as like that soft slapper, she’s swinging it. She’s swinging it a la Tiare Jennings. Just big, hard, long shots.”
Through two years in Norman, Coleman has launched 17 deep shots.
She’s totaled 20 doubles and three triples, with a career batting average of .435 and an on-base percentage of .564.
Despite her production, there was extra motivation to add to her game.
“I think I got a little jealous watching Tiare and (Jocelyn Alo) hit all these home runs all the time,” Coleman said with a joking smile.
Small changes have helped Coleman, as she’s been spending time with both hitting coach J.T. Gasso and in the gym to add more pop in 2023.
“I’m just staying in the weight room. Getting stronger,” Coleman said. “But not just lifting weights but eating the right food. A lot of protein, that kind of thing.
“I changed my swing just a little bit. But just trying to be the fastest I can be with my swing and the most comfortable I can be and hopefully it works out.”
While Gasso and Coleman hope her bat will do the talking in the batters’ box, the standout center fielder said she’s continued to find her voice as a leader in the field.
The Sooners could deploy a number of new left fielders alongside Coleman if Alyssa Brito slots in to replace Jana Johns at third base, and many of the options haven’t played the position collegiately.
Coleman, a converted shortstop, is all too familiar with the process of moving to the outfield, and she’s been more than happy to help her teammates with the transition.
“I was in that situation freshman year where I was playing infield literally my whole life,” Coleman said. “… So I know their frustration sometimes is trying to get in rhythm of playing outfield…
“I feel like my leadership is when people come from the infield to the outfield, trying to help them and that transition.”
For two years, Coleman’s impact has been felt all over the field, and there’s no sign of her play slowing down for Oklahoma entering 2023.
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