Jocelyn Alo to join Red Sox for HRDX in Seoul
Jocelyn Alo knows home runs. The former Oklahoma Sooners superstar, who helped the team win back-to-back Women's College World Series titles in 2021 and '22, finished her NCAA career as the all-time leader -- in softball or baseball -- in home runs (122), slugging percentage (.987) and total bases (761). That led to being selected first overall by the Smash It Vipers in the Women's Professional Fastpitch draft, where she posted an impressive .373/.421/.608 batting line with three home runs in her rookie season.
Well, Alo is ready to star for another team and add a few more dingers to her ledger. On Tuesday, it was announced that Alo would be joining the Red Sox for the FTX MLB Home Run Derby X event in Seoul on Sept. 17. She will be taking the place of Paige Halstead on the roster, who will return for the final HRDX event in Mexico on Oct. 15.
The Red Sox, featuring MLB Legend Jonny Gomes, Wild Card Liv Cooke and KBO Hero Yong Taik Park, will be looking for Alo to bring the power that helped her become the first college softball player to post three seasons of 30 or more home runs. The Red Sox lost the HRDX final in London to the Yankees, 42-40, and will be looking for revenge in Seoul.
If Alo's coach at Oklahoma has any say, she could very well be the difference.
"Jocelyn's hit the ball farther than any female I've ever seen in my life," Oklahoma head coach Patty Gasso told ESPN in June. "And in the biggest moments, the ball seems to travel the farthest."