It’s been a huge week for the Oklahoma Sooners in the recruiting department as Patty Gasso’s program picked up another franchise player in infielder Kate McCartney who plays with the Lady Magic – Munoz program.

McCartney was ranked No. 2 overall in the Line Drive Media 2028 HOT 100 and, earlier this week, pitcher Sophia Schlader of the Beverly Bandits organization held a press conference at her school to announce she’d be a future Sooner. Sophia was also ranked No. 2 overall in the HOT 100.

For Kate, it was reportedly down to Oklahoma and UCLA and the excellent infielder pulled the trigger earlier today on her official visit in Norman, Okla.

“We are really proud of her,” Lady Magic Co-Head Coach Lindsey Ziegenhirst-Munoz, who leads the program along with her husband Ernie Munoz and confirmed the big pick-up by OU.

“Kate’s a player we’ve had since our very first season, she was 10 years old turning 11. She’s worked very hard to get this opportunity and we are really excited to see her shine in the SEC!”

Here’s how Kate’s bio read in the Top 5 of the Line Drive Media 2028 HOT 100:

T-2—Kate McCartney, IF, Lady Magic Munoz
Kate is a game changer both at the plate and on defense. Head Coach Lindsey Ziegenhirt-Munoz says: “She is an unreal, old-school type athlete. She is the type of player that coaches drool over, and you can see it just from watching her walk around. If travel softball gave out a ‘Charlie Hustle’ award, Kate would get it. She’s always dirty , going all out every play, making the hard plays look easy and the easy plays look effortless. Her on-the-run slot is money, with one college coach joking that she should just field every groundball like that because it looks so clean! Every weekend Kate makes a defensive play that leaves the stands in awe.” While her defense is next level, the 2028 star from California shines equally strongly at the plate. When the lights are brightest, Kate steps up and is clutch. This summer with her Lady Magic – Muñoz 18U squad, she hit .358 with 12 home runs, eight doubles, and a team-leading 41 RBIs. Coach Lindsey adds: “Her exit velocity is terrifying for coaches throwing front toss, and her home runs clear the fences by at least 20 feet every time.” Kate demonstrated that home run power this past season for the Ponderosa (Calif.) High Bruins who were nationally ranked in the high school circuit. She ended the spring high school season hitting .625 with 49 RBIs and led the state of California with 20 home runs. Academically, the junior has a 4.0 GPA and her club coach concludes with: “Kate’s commitment to excellence is shown daily even outside the sport. Kate is a humble, hardworking student of the game and will be a leader at the next level.”

We’ll have more on Kate coming up this week…

— Brentt Eads/Line Drive Media