OU Softball: Oklahoma Coach Patty Gasso Discusses C Kinzie Hansen's Absence

Oklahoma softball coach Patty Gasso on Tuesday described catcher Kinzie Hansen as “day-to-day” after Hansen missed almost all of last week’s five games with an injury.

Gasso described the injury as a “tweak” of the knee.

Hansen, a senior from Norco, CA, was voted alongside Tiare Jennings a co-captain prior to this season.

She started 23 games for the Sooners this season, but missed both games of last week’s midweek doubleheader against Tarleton State, then started the opener Friday at Texas Tech and got just one at-bat before heading back to the bench and then missing the rest of the series with the Red Raiders.

When coming out of the lineup this year, Hansen has been replaced by senior Riley Ludlam, a transfer from Furman.

In 26 games this season, Ludlam has 12 starts and is batting .385 with one double, two home runs and 16 RBIs.

Gasso said senior Alynah Torres, who caught games for the Sooners last year, is Ludlam’s backup.

Hansen is batting .367 on the season with seven home runs and 16 RBIs. Of her 22 hits, 10 are for extra bases.

She came into this season batting .387 for her career, with three seasons batting over .400. Last season Hansen hit .409 with 13 home runs. In 2021, Hanson hit a career-best .438 with 24 homers.

She’s a two-time NFCA All-American and last year won the Johnny Bench Award as college softballs best catcher.

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