Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Oklahoma tops Texas, celebrates WCWS 4-peat

Written by 
Published in Breaking News
Friday, 07 June 2024 05:04

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Patty Gasso's Oklahoma Sooners have done it again.

Oklahoma slugged its way to a record fourth straight NCAA softball title, getting a go-ahead, bases-clearing double from Cydney Sanders and beating Texas 8-4 on Thursday night for a two-game sweep of the Women's College World Series championship.

The Sooners won their eighth title overall, all under coach Gasso, and moved into a tie with Arizona for the second-most World Series championships behind UCLA's 12.

Jayda Coleman, Tiare Jennings, Kinzie Hansen, Rylie Boone and pitcher Nicole May were significant contributors to each of the Sooners' past four championship teams. Oklahoma's senior class finished with as many national championships (four) as NCAA tournament loses (41-4).

"They've cemented this program in history," said Gasso, whose eight national titles ties Arizona's Mike Candrea for the most by any coach in Division 1 softball history. "They've cemented themselves in history. History can change, but these guys will never, ever be forgotten."

The Sooners felt the pressure along the way.

"'Heavy is a head that wears the crown' is the one thing that really stuck out," Gasso said. "I heard someone say that. That really has felt true. It's been exhausting. These players are exhausted, but they keep going."

Kelly Maxwell, an Oklahoma State transfer, was named Most Outstanding Player. The graduate student went 3-0 with a save at the World Series, allowing seven earned runs in 27 innings.

She was criticized for transferring to Oklahoma State's biggest rival, but she feels it was worth it.

"I received a lot of hate, a lot of doubt," Maxwell said. "But I'm just thankful for these girls and this team and this staff, just to pick me up and have my back."

Second-seeded Oklahoma (59-7) scored eight runs in each of the two games against top-seeded Texas and pounded 21 hits total against a Longhorns team that came in having thrown three consecutive one-hit shutouts in the World Series.

"Congratulations to the University of Oklahoma on their fourth championship in a row," Texas coach Mike White said. "It's an incredible feat. We know how tough it is just to get here, let alone win four. It's an amazing achievement."

Kasidi Pickering hit a two-run homer in the second inning for the Sooners, and Ella Parker had a two-run single in the sixth that padded Oklahoma's lead. Gasso used five pitchers, with Maxwell getting the last four outs for the save a day after her complete-game victory in Game 1.

Karlie Keeney got the start for Oklahoma, followed by Paytn Monticelli, Kierston Deal, May and Maxwell. Deal worked the fourth and was credited with the win.

Mac Morgan, who threw a one-hitter against Florida earlier in the World Series, started Game 2 against Oklahoma and gave up two runs on five hits in two innings. Estelle Czech took the loss, allowing three runs on four hits in two innings.

Texas (55-10) still hasn't won a national title. The Longhorns lost to the Sooners in the 2022 championship series. This year, Texas won the Big 12 regular-season title, but Oklahoma beat the Longhorns in the Big 12 tournament.

Both programs are leaving the Big 12 for the SEC next season.

"Texas always makes us better," Gasso said. "I think that we could both agree that we do that for each other. That's how we get here. That's why we're looking at each other on the national championship stage."

Freshman Kayden Henry had two hits for Texas and drove in the Longhorns' first run.

A baserunning mistake by Texas' Mia Scott ended the Longhorns' chance of tying the game or taking the lead in the sixth inning. Scott's two-out, RBI infield single got Texas within 5-4 and advanced Ashton Maloney to third base, but Scott went too far rounding first. Oklahoma second baseman Avery Hodge flipped the ball to first baseman Sanders, who tagged Scott out before she could get back.

"It was huge," Maxwell said. "I mean, they definitely had the momentum in that moment. ... I saw Mia Scott kind of come off the bag. I was just telling Avery, 'Turn around, turn around, let's get her, c'mon.' She finally heard me. We got it done."

Two innings earlier, Hodge's fielding error allowed Texas to take a 3-2 lead.

Texas could learn from the experience. White has a young team that he expects to return to the World Series.

"As I told the team, I want to be on the other side of the podium here one of the these days making that last speech more enjoyable than it is right now," he said.

Information from ESPN Stats & Information and The Associated Press was used in this report.

Read 86 times

Soccer

USWNT to face Netherlands after England friendly

USWNT to face Netherlands after England friendly

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe United States women's national team will end its 2024 campaign...

Mbappé out of France squad to aid injury recovery

Mbappé out of France squad to aid injury recovery

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsKylian Mbappé has been left out of Didier Deschamps' France squad f...

FIFA adjusts transfer rules for Club World Cup

FIFA adjusts transfer rules for Club World Cup

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFIFA has agreed on interim transfer rules aiming to help players ch...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Conspirator in Porter betting plot pleads guilty

Conspirator in Porter betting plot pleads guilty

EmailPrintA Brooklyn man pleaded guilty Wednesday in connection to the sports betting scheme involvi...

Grizzlies' J. Jackson has low-grade hamstring strain

Grizzlies' J. Jackson has low-grade hamstring strain

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNASHVILLE, Tenn. -- An MRI on Memphis Grizzlies power forward/cente...

Baseball

Brewers rally in 8th, tie up series against Mets

Brewers rally in 8th, tie up series against Mets

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMILWAUKEE -- Jackson Chourio tied the game in the eighth with his s...

Padres finish off Braves as Dodgers await in NLDS

Padres finish off Braves as Dodgers await in NLDS

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSAN DIEGO -- Kyle Higashioka's solo homer started a five-run rally...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated