Experienced Bronchos Ready For 2025 Season

UCO Has 12 Players Back From 43-14 Team Along With Nine Newcomers

EDMOND - An experienced team anchored by a deep pitching staff has Central Oklahoma ready to make some noise on the national scene in 2025.

The Bronchos have back 12 players from last year's 43-14 squad that made a fourth straight NCAA Division II national tournament appearance, including five position starters and all five pitchers.

Adding a proven senior transfer with 57 career wins to the pitching corps along with eight other talented newcomers gives UCO even more firepower in its quest to contend for the MIAA and national titles.

"I'm excited about what this team is capable of and look forward to seeing how it all pans out," head coach Cody White said. "We have a good mix of returning and new players who have blended together really well, both on and off the field.

"Our schedule is extremely challenging, but that will help make us better in the long run. We have a lot of work ahead of us to get where we want to be, but this group has a chance to be really special."

The Bronchos are led by two-time All-American Terin Ritz, perhaps the premiere player in Division II. The senior pitcher/first baseman headlines a talented pitching staff and is also one of the nation's top power hitters.

UCO also has back three more All-MIAA performers in junior shortstop Emily Deramus, junior outfielder Rylee Lemos and senior pitcher Jordyn Pipkin, with Deramus and Lemos earning All-Central Region honors last season.

Junior second baseman Rylee Anglen and senior catcher Layne Smith are returning starters, while junior utility Sherri Mason, sophomore catcher Kya Watson and sophomore outfielder Brooklyn Ryan all saw significant action last year.

A trio of other pitchers return in sophomores Shelby Beard and Emmy Guthrie, and senior Kaylee Bradley.

Three transfers and six freshmen make up the newcomers, with senior pitcher Sydney Ward, junior catcher/first baseman Kennedy Clark, and sophomore utility Macie Andrews expected to make the biggest impacts.

"Our depth is pretty good at most positions and everybody is pushing each other," said White, who is 446-160 entering his 12th season at the UCO helm. "We have to stay healthy, but this group has a chance to do big things and we're excited about the season."

Here's a position-by-position look at the Bronchos:

CATCHER

The Bronchos have great depth behind the plate, with Smith and Clark expected to see the most action.

Smith is a key team leader and defensive mainstay who started 47 games last year, while Clark batted .335 during a stellar two-year career at Oklahoma Baptist in helping lead the Bison to 85 wins.

Watson lettered in a backup role last year and is also available, while freshman Kindal Biggs had a strong fall campaign and adds even more depth.

FIRST BASE

Ritz will be the main starter here when she's not pitching. The All-American batted .381 with 18 home runs and 58 runs batted in last year as one of the top offensive threats in Division II. She has a .350 career average with 35 homers and 134 RBI.

Clark should also see extended time when not catching, with freshmen Brooklyn Lyles and Ariah Mitchell providing more depth.

SECOND BASE

Anglen took over the starting role here early last season and proved to be a defensive mainstay for the Bronchos. She led the team in assists (116) and made just nine errors in 235 chances in showcasing her outstanding range and also batted .306. Freshman Mari Scott provides quality backup assistance.

SHORTSTOP

UCO is in great shape here with the return of Deramus, who is ready to handle starting duties for the third straight year. Deramus hit .323 with 14 doubles, eight homers and 31 RBI last season while also providing excellent defense in earning All-MIAA and All-Central Region honors for the second time. Smith and Andrews can help out if needed.

THIRD BASE

Mason and Andrews will battle for the top spot at the hot corner. Each is more than capable of assuming the starting role and both are expected to be utilized in some capacity. Mason played in 32 games with 15 starts at four different positions last year, while Andrews saw action in 31 games at Division I New Mexico.

Rookie Shelby Kilhoffer adds good depth to the position.

OUTFIELD

The Bronchos will feature speed and aggressiveness in the outfield, with Lemos paving the way. The junior star hit .384 with 12 doubles, seven homers, five triples, 29 RBI and 25 stolen bases last season in earning All-MIAA and All-Central Region accolades. She's making the jump from right field to left this season.

Ryan is ready to take over in center field, with a number of candidates vying for the starting berth in right.

Biggs, Makenzie Fithian and Scott along with Mason are battling for the position and all of them could see action early in the season. Mitchell is also available to help in the outfield.

PITCHER

UCO is loaded in the circle, featuring a deep and talented staff. The Bronchos return all five pitchers from last year -- spearheaded by Ritz -- and also gained a big-time senior transfer.

Ritz earned All-America accolades at utility/pitcher last season after going 21-7 with a paltry 1.50 earned run average in 31 appearances. She walked a mere 25 batters in 163.1 innings and owns 54-12 career record.

Ready to step in and assume a major role is Ward, who came to UCO from Division II rival Southern Arkansas. Ward was a three-time All-Great American Conference pick with the Muleriders, finishing 57-22 with a 2.21 ERA and 454 strikeouts during her career there.

And then there's Pipkin, a two-time All-MIAA choice for the Bronchos who went 15-6 with a 2.61 ERA in 27 games last year. Pipkin has a 35-10 career record and is a proven winner.

Beard figures to play a key role in the circle after going 6-0 with three saves and a 1.38 ERA in 56.0 innings last year. Bradley and Guthrie also return, with both looking to help out in set-up and relief roles.

DESIGNATED PLAYER

This is usually a position where several players are used and it will be the same in 2025.

Watson is set to see significant action, while Clark and freshman Mitchell could be utilized when not playing a defensive position. Kilhoffer and Lyles are also available.

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Players Mentioned

#9 Rylee Anglen: IF; 5' 3"; Sophomore; L/R

#5 Emily Deramus: IF; 5' 8"; Sophomore; R/R

#8 Rylee Lemos: OF; 5' 6"; Sophomore; L/R

#15 Jordyn Pipkin: P; 5' 6"; Junior; R/R

#99 Terin Ritz: P/1B; 5' 8"; Junior; R/R

#1 Layne Smith: C/UT; 5' 7"; Junior; R/R

#7 Brooklyn Ryan: OF; 5' 4"; Freshman; R/R

#10 Kya Watson: C; 5' 7"; Freshman; R/R

#11 Shelby Beard: P; 5' 9"; Freshman; R/R

#21 Sherri Mason: UT; 5' 4"; Sophomore; R/R

Players Mentioned

#9 Rylee Anglen
: 5' 3"; Sophomore; L/R
: IF

#5 Emily Deramus
: 5' 8"; Sophomore; R/R
: IF

#8 Rylee Lemos
: 5' 6"; Sophomore; L/R
: OF

#15 Jordyn Pipkin
: 5' 6"; Junior; R/R
: P

#99 Terin Ritz
: 5' 8"; Junior; R/R
: P/1B

#1 Layne Smith
: 5' 7"; Junior; R/R
: C/UT

#7 Brooklyn Ryan
: 5' 4"; Freshman; R/R
: OF

#10 Kya Watson
: 5' 7"; Freshman; R/R
: C

#11 Shelby Beard
: 5' 9"; Freshman; R/R
: P

#21 Sherri Mason
: 5' 4"; Sophomore; R/R
: UT