Jocelyn Alo Leads 2022 Big 12 Softball Individual Awards
The Big 12 Conference announced its 2022 softball award winners on Wednesday ahead of the conference tournament which starts on Thursday.
The tournament will conclude on Saturday with the Championship game, likely containing names that appear on this list.
Oklahoma, after a 48-1 regular season, collected five individual awards, while Oklahoma State secured the Co-Pitcher of the Year Award. It’s no secret that the Oklahoma teams dominated the confernce this season and look among the best teams in the nation.
Here is the complete list of the 2022 Big 12 Softball Individual Awards.
Big 12 Player of the Year
Oklahoma UTL Jocelyn Alo (Unanimous)
Jocelyn Alo was the obvious choice for Big 12 Player of the Year and took it home for the second straight year unanimously. Alo is ranked first in the country in slugging percentage (1.135) and on-base percentage (.624) while placing second in home runs (24) and RBI (67). Her batting average (.476), home runs, and OPS (1.759) lead the Big 12 Conference as well. The senior slugger broke the NCAA Division I record for home runs in her home state of Hawaii back in March when she launched her 96th career “Alo Bomb,” a number that now stands at 112.
Big 12 Co-Pitchers of the Year
Oklahoma State LHP Kelly Maxwell, Oklahoma RHP Jordy Bahl
Kelly Maxwell was a force in the circle for the Cowgirls, finishing first in the conference in strikeouts with 228. Her ERA (.143) ranked 16th in the country, helping her secure 15 wins for Oklahoma State. The Friendswood, Texas native was a massive part of OSU’s success in 2022, helping them to a second place finish in the conference and a 38-12 overall record.
Oklahoma’s Jordy Bahl made this list twice, so more on her in just a second.
Big 12 Freshman of the Year
Oklahoma RHP Jordy Bahl
Jordy Bahl is the definition of a “freshman-phenom,” as she dominated the league just like she did in club league softball in high school. Bahl led the Big 12 in wins (21), had the second-most strikeouts (199) the second-lowest opponent’s batting average (.137) and allowed just 18 runs on the season. Her ERA (0.95) ranked sixth nationally, and second in the Big 12 behind teammate Hope Trautwein (0.17). Bahl will be a problem for opposing lineups for seasons to come if 2022 is any indication.
Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year
Oklahoma INF Grace Lyons
Grace Lyons was the heart of an Oklahoma defense that ranked second in the Big 12 in fielding percentage (.974). Playing primarily at shortstop, Lyons helped turn 11 double plays with just six errors, registering 48 putouts and 57 assists on the year. Although her batting prowess didn’t play a part in her winning the award, it can’t go without mentioning that Lyons ranks 13th in the country in home runs (18), and 13th in batting average (.433).
Big 12 Coach of the Year
Oklahoma HC Patty Gasso
In her 28th season, Patty Gasso led the top-ranked Sooners to a 48-1 (17-1) record and Oklahoma’s 10th consecutive Big 12 regualr season title. Oklahoma started the year on a 38-game winning streak, which was the best start in NCAA Division I Softball history. Over the course of the season, Oklahoma has won 35 games by run rule, which tied their program-best mark set in 2021. In 49 games, Gasso’s squad has managed to outscore opponents 455-41, an average score of 9.3-0.8, and has allowed just 30 earned runs. In short, Gasso could have her best team yet by year’s end.
