Oklahoma softball signee Allyssa Parker named state’s Gatorade Player of the Year

For the second straight year, Pocola (Okla.) softball pitching standout Allyssa Parker received the Oklahoma Gatorade Softball Player of the Year award.

Parker - a right-handed pitcher/shortstop and a University of Oklahoma signee - was announced as the repeat winner on Monday. The Gatorade Player of the Year honors the nation’s best athletes for their success not only on the  field, but also in the classroom and in the community.

In Pocola’s fastpitch season, which was played in the fall of 2024, Parker went 28-1 along with a save, as well as a 0.10 earned run average and 224 strikeouts, for a Lady Indian squad that finished 34-1 and reached the Class 2A championship game.

She also batted .667 with 15 home runs and 45 RBIs while recording an .802 on-base percentage.

Parker was also a standout player on Pocola’s basketball squad, helping the Lady Indians win the state title as a freshman. In her senior season, Parker averaged 26.2 points per game as Pocola reached the 2A semifinals.

In the classroom, Parker has a 4.0 grade point average and was a member of the Pocola High School Student Council. She has volunteered in the area by serving food at a homeless shelter and has been involved in several community service initiatives with her church.

“I’ve said it for several years, I’ve never seen a player work harder than this young lady and I’m so excited for her next softball journey,” Pocola softball coach Eddie Combs said in a Facebook post. “Not many people will ever understand the pressure she has been under for so many years to be almost perfect every time she performs and for her to accomplish everything she has, is truly remarkable.”

For being named Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year, Parker will receive a grant which will be donated to a social impact partner. The Gatorade Player of the Year program has provided more than $5.6 million in grants to winners spanning more than 2,000 organizations.

Parker will head to OU as part of what is considered the No. 1 ranked signing class in the country. She was the top-ranked pitcher in the Class of 2025 and the nation’s No. 2 ranked prospect by On3.