NORMAN, Okla. – The University of Oklahoma softball team received nine of 10 first-place votes and tallied 81 points to receive top billing in the 2009 Big 12 coaches’ preseason poll, as announced today by the league office. The selection the first time the Sooners were chosen a unanimous selection to win the league title since 2000, when OU won its first National Championship.

“I appreciate and respect the opinions of the coaches in the Big 12 and because of that, it makes it very meaningful to me that they view our team in this manner,” said OU head coach Patty Gasso. “One of our goals is to finish at the top. That’s a tough challenge because our conference is competitive and it will take a lot of hard work to get there.”

Oklahoma returns seven starters from last season’s 47-14 squad that finished 16-2 in the Big 12. The team took second in conference play and went on to advance to an NCAA Super Regional. The Sooners finished 2008 ranked 10th in the national polls.

The Sooners return three All-Americans in seniors Samantha Ricketts and D.J. Mathis and junior Amber Flores. The trio, along with junior catcher Lindsey Vandever, also earned first team All-Midwest Region honors and All-Big 12 first team accolades a year ago. Oklahoma welcomes six newcomers, including pitchers Allee Allen (Buena Vista, Calif.) and Kirsten Allen (Union, Ky.) and Oklahoma products Katie Norris (Stillwater), Evan Sallis (Muskogee), Samantha Bachman (Midwest City) and Karolyne Long (Midwest City). Long is the younger sister of former OU All-American Savannah Long.

Missouri (68) was chosen second, while Texas A&M (60), Texas (58) and Nebraska (46) rounded out the top five.

Oklahoma begins the 2009 campaign Feb. 5-7 at the Hawai’i Paradise Classic in Honolulu. The Sooners open at home on Feb. 18, hosting Stephen F. Austin in a 2 p.m. doubleheader at the OU Softball Complex.

2009 Big 12 Softball Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Team (first-place votes), points
1. Oklahoma (9), 81
2. Missouri, 68
3. Texas A&M (1), 60
4. Texas, 58
5. Nebraska, 46
6. Baylor, 44
7. Oklahoma State, 40
8. Kansas, 25
9. Texas Tech, 15
10. Iowa State, 13

**Points were awarded nine for first, eight for second, etc. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their teams.