Former national champion and national player of the year joins Evangels
The Mid-America Christian University (MACU) softball team has added another legend to its coaching staff: Keilani Ricketts will serve under Jim Gasso as the program’s new assistant coach.
“We are ecstatic to welcome Keilani to the MACU family,” said MACU Head Softball Coach Jim Gasso, who was hired earlier this month. “While her incredible playing resume, including a Division 1 national title, speaks, for itself, what really struck us during the process was her passion and drive to see softball used to develop young women. Her mentorship and leadership will provide a lasting, positive impact on the lives of our student-athletes.”
Ricketts, who is regarded as one of the best softball players in the world, comes to MACU following a decorated professional and collegiate playing career. This summer, she will also play for the Oklahoma City Spark in the newly established Women’s Professional Fastpitch (WPF) league.
“I’m so excited for the opportunity to coach at MACU and be a part of this community,” Ricketts stated. “I cannot wait to build on the foundation this program has built and grow with these student-athletes on and off the field.”
Ricketts owns and operates her own business, Keilani Ricketts LLC, where she provides instruction and lessons to high school, middle school and youth athletes.
From 2018-19, Ricketts served as a volunteer assistant coach at the University of Oklahoma. She previously worked as a volunteer assistant coach at Mississippi State University from 2015-16.
As a professional player, Ricketts competed for the USSSA Pride in the National Professional Fastpitch (NPF) league from 2013-19, leading the Pride to four championships and amassing 42 wins in the circle. Ricketts also played for Toyota Industries in the Japan Softball League from 2013-18 before returning to the league in 2020 to play for Hitachi through the 2021 season.
Ricketts also competed for Team USA from 2011-12 and 2018-21. In 2018, she helped guide Team USA to the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) title and was also a silver medalist in 2012. In 2011, Ricketts competed in the Pan American Games, leading the U.S. to gold.
From 2010-13, Ricketts competed for the Oklahoma Sooners, putting together a historic career.
In four seasons with the Sooners, Ricketts amassed a 125-35 record with an incredible 1531 strikeouts over 1021. With a .334 batting average at the plate, she smashed 47 home runs and 156 RBIs.
Ricketts helped lead the Sooners to their second NCAA Division I National Championship in her senior season, when she was also named USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year
The MACU softball program also has a championship tradition, having won the 2021 NCCAA World Series while making it to the NCCAA World Series Semifinals in three straight seasons.