Keilani Ricketts

Last updated
Keilani Ricketts
USSSA Pride – No. 10
Pitcher
Born: (1991-09-01) September 1, 1991 (age 31) [1]
San Jose, California
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Professional debut
NCAA: 2010, for the Oklahoma Sooners
NPF: 2013, for the USSSA Pride
Women's softball
Representing Flag of the United States.svg  United States
Pan American Games
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2011 Guadalajara Team
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2019 Lima Team

Keilani Johanna Ricketts Tumanuvao (born September 1, 1991) [2] is an American, former collegiate All-American, pro All-Star left-handed hitting softball pitcher. She attended Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, and attended the University of Oklahoma from 2010-2013, where she was the starting pitcher and helped to lead the Sooners to the 2013 NCAA Division I national softball title. [3] As a member of the United States women's national softball team she won 2011 World Cup of Softball. [4] Ricketts currently plays for the USSSA Pride in the National Pro Fastpitch. She is the Sooners career leader in wins and strikeouts. She also ranks for career records in both the Big 12 Conference and the NCAA Division I, where she is one three players to win 100 games with 1,000 strikeouts and hit 50 home runs. [5]

Contents

Oklahoma Sooners

Ricketts debuted on February 10, 2010 tossing three scoreless innings to beat the Florida Atlantic Owls. [6] She was named Second-Team National Fastpitch Coaches' Association All-American along with First-Team All-Big 12 honors. [7] [8] As a freshman, she would break the record for strikeout ratio and then rank second for strikeouts overall at the school. Ricketts would lead the team into a Super Regional with the Washington Huskies and opened the series by beating National Player of The Year Danielle Lawrie before dropping the next two to be eliminated that year.

In her sophomore year, Ricketts would be named a First-Team All-American and earned her second conference honors. [9] Ricketts would break her own and set the school record for strikeout ratio with a career best 11.1 per 7-innings. She also broke the school strikeouts record, which now ranks second all-time.

On April 16, 2011, Ricketts lost a 9-inning contest vs. the Missouri Tigers and combined with Tiger pitcher Chelsea Thomas to record 33 strikeouts, an NCAA top-10 record. [10] In the NCAA tournament, the Sooners opened up that year against the Iona Gaels and Ricketts set a career and school high with 19 strikeouts in regulation, winning 7-1 on May 20. [11] The Sooners made the Women's College World Series that year by defeating the Arizona Wildcats but did not win a game.

As a junior, Ricketts again earned First-Team honors from both the NFCA and the conference, this time being named 2012 Big 12 Conference Player of the Year while also achieving a pitching Triple Crown. [12] [13] She was also chosen USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year and recognized with the Honda Sports Award for softball. [14] She would break her own strikeout record with a career and school best total, while her career high in wins ranks second all-time for the Sooners; Ricketts also had her best ERA and WHIP. Ricketts would also lead the team in batting average and doubles with career highs, which she also tallied in home runs , RBIs, hits, triples and slugging percentage.

Ricketts fired a perfect game over the Kansas Jayhawks on March 30 and struck out 10 batters to cross the 1,000 career benchmark, becoming one of the elite to reach that milestone in three seasons. [15] On May 19, Ricketts hit a grand slam to help reach a career high with 6 RBIs vs. the Lehigh Mountain Hawks. [16] At that year's WCWS on June 1, for her second game Ricketts pitched a 16-strikeout, 2 hit shutout over the No.1 California Golden Bears. [17] The Sooners would go on to defeat the defending champs to meet the Alabama Crimson Tide in the championship final. Ricketts won game one but then lost back-to-back games to drop the series. Ricketts would be named All-Tournament for her performance, tying the third best record for WCWS strikeouts with 64. [18]

For a final season, Ricketts claimed her fourth First Team all-conference and third First-Team and fourth overall All-American honors, simultaneously winning Big 12 Pitcher of the Year. [19] [20] She would also earn her second USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year and Honda Sports Award for softball to accompany the Honda Cup Award. [21] [22] Ricketts had a career best in shutouts and winning percentage with a near perfect season while also throwing 6 no-hitters, a top-5 NCAA record for a single season.

February 9, 2013 she won her 100th game, no-hitting the Oregon Ducks. [23] Beginning on March 27-June 3, she had a career best 21 game win streak. Ricketts led her team to a No. 1 seed and culminated in winning the National Championship by besting the Tennessee Lady Vols in a 12-inning game one and then driving in all the runs, three of them the winning runs coming via her 50th career home run off Ivy Renfroe, in game two to seal the title. This would give her the Most Outstanding Player Award and her second All-Tournament recognition. [24]

Ricketts would also become one of the most prolific and winning pitchers in WCWS history going 8-4 with 112 strikeouts and allowing 19 earned runs in 80.1 inning for a 1.00 WHIP in three trips. [25] For her career she holds the school records in wins, strikeouts, shutouts, innings pitched and strikeout ratio. [26] In the Big 12 she ranks second in career wins, strikeouts and shutouts, third in strikeout ratio, fourth in innings and 7th in ERA; offensively she stands third in walks, fifth in home runs and 10th in slugging percentage. [27] In all of the NCAA she is 7th in wins all-time. [28]

Personal life

Ricketts is of Samoan descent. [29] She has three siblings that include Richard, a former Air Force Falcons football player, Stephanie, a former All-American Hawaii Rainbow Wahine softball player, and Samantha, a former All-American Oklahoma Sooners softball player and current Head Softball Coach for Mississippi State University. [30] In December 2017, Ricketts married Sean Tumanuvao in San Jose, California. [31]

Awards and honors

Statistics

University of Oklahoma
Year W L GP GS CG Sh SV IP H R ER BB SO ERA WHIP
20103210483829142259.21366346913461.240.87
2011291550423392284.11957960824521.480.97
2012379494334152292.01636445514571.080.73
2013351454027162238.11234742633501.230.78
TOTALS133351921631235481074.161725319328716051.260.84
University of Oklahoma
YEAR G AB R H BA RBI HR 3B 2B TB SLG BB SO SB SBA
201052861521.2442050238.442%283501
2011571332738.28545130279.594%383911
2012631604264.4004917213132.825%533167
2013611534458.379601508111.725%513399
TOTALS233532128181.34017450225360.676%1701381618
NPF USSSA Pride
YEAR W L G GS CG Sh SV IP H R ER BB SO ERA WHIP
2013339720135.035252221434.401.60
201466161300165.053251816561.941.06
201575141241076.062342816832.581.02
201686211421096.085403315902.401.04
2017114181300180.267211712821.480.98
2018608642241.012207510.000.46
TOTAL412486651245393.2314147118874052.101.02

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cat Osterman</span> American softball player

Catherine Leigh Osterman is a retired American softball player. Osterman pitched on the United States women's national softball team that won the gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics and silver medal at the 2008 and 2020 Summer Olympics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monica Abbott</span> American softball player

Monica Cecilia Abbott is a retired American professional softball player. Abbott was an All-American pitcher for the Tennessee Lady Volunteers in college before starting a professional career in the NPF and in the Japan Softball League. In international competition, she has played for Team USA from 2005 including the national softball team winning a silver medal at the 2008 and 2020 Summer Olympics. Abbott is the NCAA Division I leader in wins, strikeouts, shutouts and innings.

Alicia Kay Hollowell-Dunn is an American, former collegiate four-time All-American, retired professional softball pitcher and assistant coach. She played college softball at Arizona Wildcats softball from 2003 to 2006, collecting 144 career wins and 1,768 strikeouts, both top-10 NCAA career records. She currently holds the Arizona Wildcats records for career strikeouts, shutouts and innings pitched, in addition to the Pac-12 Conference wins and strikeout ratio records. Hollowell won the 2006 Women's College World Series.

Courtney Lynn Blades-Rogers is an American, former collegiate All-American, right-handed batting softball pitcher. She was a starting pitcher for two NCAA Division I teams: the Nicholls State Colonels and later the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. For her career she collected 151 wins and 1,773 strikeouts. She was awarded the Honda Sports Award Softball Player of the Year in 2000 and was recently named the #7 Greatest NCAA Pitcher of All-Time.

Lori Harrigan-Mack is an American, former collegiate All-American, right-handed hitting, left-handed softball pitcher originally from Anaheim, California. She was a three-time Olympic Champion as a member of the Team USA winning in 1996, 2000 and 2004. Harrigan played collegiately from 1989–1992 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where she owns numerous records; she is the Big West Conference career leader in shutouts and innings pitched and is a USA Softball Hall of Fame honoree.

Angela Tincher O'Brien is an American, former collegiate All-American, retired professional All-Star softball pitcher and coach. She most recently served as the pitching coach at Virginia Tech. She was a 2008 first-round draft selection for the NPF Akron Racers. She is a graduate of James River High School and a 2008 graduate of Virginia Tech. In 2013, she was hired as Virginia Tech's softball pitching coach where she owns numerous school records. She is the ACC career leader in wins, strikeouts, shutouts, innings pitched, strikeout ratio and no-hitters, while also ranking in several records for the NCAA Division I, where she is one of five pitchers to achieve 100 wins, 1,000 strikeouts, an ERA under 1.00 and average double-digit strikeouts for her career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taryne Mowatt</span> American softball player

Taryne Lee Mowatt is an American, former collegiate All-American, right-handed hitting, retired pro softball pitcher. Mowatt is the current pitching coach for Mississippi State. She played college softball at Arizona and helped them win the 2006 and 2007 Women's College World Series. From 2008 to 2013, Mowatt played professionally in National Pro Fastpitch, selected in the 2008 NPF draft by the Washington Glory. She ranks in several pitching categories for the Wildcats and holds the Women's College World Series records for strikeouts and wins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danielle Henderson</span>

Danielle Henderson is an American, former collegiate All-American, medal-winning Olympian, retired professional All-Star softball pitcher who is currently the head coach at UMass. Henderson was a starting pitcher for the UMass Minutewomen softball from 1996 to 1999. Henderson also played professionally in National Pro Fastpitch from 2004 to 2007, where she currently ranks top-10 in career strikeout ratio (6.8). Along with numerous school records, she is the Atlantic 10 Conference career leader in ERA, shutouts, perfect games (3) and WHIP. Henderson represented the United States at the 2000 Summer Olympics and won a gold medal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stacey Nelson</span> All-American college softball player, U.S. National softball team member, pitcher

Stacey Lauren Nelson is an American, former collegiate All-American, retired right-handed softball pitcher, originally from Los Alamitos, California. She played for the Florida Gators softball team from 2006-2009, leading the University of Florida to its first Women's College World Series berth in 2008 and a national runner-up appearance in the 2009 Women's College World Series. Nelson was also the 13th pick in the 2009 National Pro Fastpitch's draft by the defunct Washington Glory. Nelson pitched for the United States women's national softball team in 2009 and 2010 before attending law school at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. She is the Florida career record holder wins, ERA, shutouts and innings pitched. She also ranks all-time in several career categories in the Southeastern Conference and the NCAA Division I.

Danielle Elaine Lawrie is a Canadian, former collegiate All-American, medal-winning Olympian, professional All-Star softball pitcher and current sports commentator. Lawrie played college softball at Washington, in which she was part of the 2009 Women's College World Series championship team and was named Most Outstanding Player. Lawrie currently plays for the Canada women's national softball team, including during the 2008 Summer Olympics, and the 2020 Summer Olympics, where she won a bronze medal.

Jordan Lee Taylor is an American, former collegiate All-American, 3-time professional All-Star right-handed softball pitcher originally from Santa Clarita, California. She played for the Michigan Wolverines softball team from 2008–2011 and Team USA. She was drafted #11 and played from 2011-18 in the National Pro Fastpitch where she is currently the career leader in saves. She is the career Big Ten Conference career leader in strikeouts and also ranks in numerous records for the Wolverines, the conference and in the NCAA Division I.

Chelsea Rae Thomas is an American former collegiate softball pitcher, originally from Pleasantville, Iowa. Thomas pitched for the Missouri Tigers in the Big 12 Conference and Southeastern Conference; Thomas is the career leader in wins and strikeouts for the school. She ranks top-10 for no hitters (11) and perfect games (3) in the NCAA Division I. Thomas and was drafted #20 in the National Pro Fastpitch and won a title in 2014.

Lauren Elizabeth Anna Haeger is a professional softball pitcher and first baseman with the Dallas Charge of National Pro Fastpitch (NPF). After being named a member of the 2011 MaxPreps Softball All-American Team and earning a gold medal at the III Pan American (18-under) Games in 2010, Haegar played softball at the University of Florida.

Rachel Lauren Garcia is an American former softball pitcher and current pitching coach for UC San Diego. She played college softball for the UCLA Bruins and led the Bruins to the 2019 Women's College World Series championship, where she was named the Most Outstanding Player.

Montana Fay Fouts is an American former All-American softball pitcher for the Alabama Crimson Tide. She is best known for pitching a perfect game against UCLA in the 2021 Women's College World Series.

The 2012 NCAA Division I softball season, play of college softball in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I level, began in February 2012. The season progressed through the regular season, many conference tournaments and championship series, and concluded with the 2012 NCAA Division I softball tournament and 2012 Women's College World Series. The Women's College World Series, consisting of the eight remaining teams in the NCAA Tournament and held in Oklahoma City at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium, ended on June 6, 2012.

The 2013 NCAA Division I softball season, play of college softball in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I level, began in February 2013. The season progressed through the regular season, many conference tournaments and championship series, and concluded with the 2013 NCAA Division I softball tournament and 2013 Women's College World Series. The Women's College World Series, consisting of the eight remaining teams in the NCAA Tournament and held in Oklahoma City at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium, ended on June 6, 2013.

Jocelyn Aloha Pumehana Alo is an American professional softball player for the Oklahoma City Spark of the Women's Professional Fastpitch (WPF). She played college softball for the Oklahoma Sooners. Alo was named 2018 NFCA National Freshman of the Year, and named USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year in 2021 and 2022. She is the NCAA Division I career leader in home runs. Alo was drafted first overall by the Smash It Vipers in the inaugural WPF draft.

Giselle "G" Juarez is an American, former collegiate All-American softball pitcher. She played college softball at Oklahoma and Arizona State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordy Bahl</span> American softball player

Jordyn Bahl is an American college softball pitcher for Nebraska. As a freshman at Oklahoma in 2022, she was named NFCA National Freshman of the Year.

References

  1. "Keilani Johanna Ricketts". California Birth Index, 1905–1995. Archived from the original on January 29, 2019. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
  2. "USA Softball #10 Keilani Ricketts". usasoftball.com. Retrieved September 8, 2011.
  3. "Player Bio: Keilani Ricketts". soonersports.com. Archived from the original on June 26, 2013.
  4. "U.S. wins World Cup of Softball". ESPN. July 26, 2011. Retrieved September 8, 2011.
  5. "Keilani Ricketts Profile". Soonersports.com. Retrieved 2017-08-22.
  6. "SOONERS WIN SEASON OPENER, 9-0". Soonersports.com. 2010-02-10. Retrieved 2017-08-18.
  7. "2010 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I All-America Teams". Nfca.org. Retrieved 2017-08-19.
  8. "FLORES, VANDEVER EARN BIG 12 HONORS". Soonersports.com. 2010-05-14. Retrieved 2017-08-19.
  9. "2011 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I All-Americans". Nfca.org. Retrieved 2017-08-19.
  10. "WALK-OFF HOME RUN PUSHES MISSOURI PAST OU". Soonersports.com. 2011-04-16. Retrieved 2017-08-19.
  11. "RICKETTS LEADS SOONERS PAST IONA, 7-1". Soonersports.com. 2011-05-20. Retrieved 2017-08-19.
  12. "2012 NFCA Division I All-Americans". Nfca.org. Retrieved 2017-08-20.
  13. "OU TAKES THREE OF FIVE BIG 12 YEARLY AWARDS". Soonersports.com. 2012-05-15. Retrieved 2017-08-20.
  14. "RICKETTS NAMED PLAYER OF THE YEAR". Soonersports.com. 2012-05-29. Retrieved 2017-08-20.
  15. "RICKETTS PERFECT IN OKLAHOMA RUN RULE". Soonersports.com. 2012-03-30. Retrieved 2017-08-20.
  16. "OU OPENS POSTSEASON PLAY WITH 19-3 RUN RULE VICTORY". Soonersports.com. 2012-05-19. Retrieved 2017-08-20.
  17. "RICKETTS FANS 16 IN SHUTOUT OF NO. 1 CAL". Soonersports.com. 2012-06-01. Retrieved 2017-08-20.
  18. "SOONERS FALL IN TITLE GAME, 5-4". Soonersports.com. 2012-06-07. Retrieved 2017-08-20.
  19. "2013 D1 ALL-AMERICANS". Nfca.org. Retrieved 2017-08-22.
  20. "SOONERS TAKE HOME TOP BIG 12 AWARDS". Soonersports.com. 2013-05-14. Retrieved 2017-08-22.
  21. "RICKETTS REPEATS AS USA PLAYER OF THE YEAR". Soonersports.com. 2013-05-28. Retrieved 2017-08-22.
  22. "Keilani Ricketts, University of Oklahoma". CWSA. Retrieved 2020-03-31.
  23. "RICKETTS FIRES SECOND NO-HITTER". Soonersports.com. 2013-02-09. Retrieved 2017-08-22.
  24. "CHAMPIONS! SOONERS CROWNED AT WCWS". Soonersports.com. 2013-06-04. Retrieved 2017-08-22.
  25. "NCAA Division I Softball Championships Records Book" (PDF). Ncaa.org. Retrieved 2017-08-22.
  26. "Oklahoma Softball 2017 Media Guide". Issuu.com. Retrieved 2017-08-22.
  27. "Softball Big 12 Record Book" (PDF). Big12sports.com. Retrieved 2017-08-22.
  28. "Division I Softball Records" (PDF). Ncaa.org. Retrieved 2017-08-22.
  29. "KEILANI RICKETTS OF GABBARD FAMILY ADDS MORE NATIONAL AWARDS TO LIST". Samoa News. 30 July 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  30. Aber, Ryan. "WCWS: Keilani Ricketts and sisters credit parents' positive attitude". newsok.com. The Oklahoman. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
  31. "Keilani & Sean's Christmas Samoan Wedding". ShootAnyAngle Photography. Retrieved 11 Dec 2017.
  32. 1 2 "Softball". CWSA. Retrieved 2020-03-22.
  33. News, Pro Fast Pitch (2013-05-13). "Keilani Ricketts Caps Career With 2013 Honda Cup". National Pro Fast Pitch. Archived from the original on November 11, 2019. Retrieved 2020-03-22.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)