Upcoming Event: Softball versus Oklahoma Christian on October 15, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
Softball
vs Oklahoma Christian
University of Oklahoma Athletics
Saturday, June 1
Oklahoma City, Okla.
2:00 PM
University of Oklahoma
1
vs
0
UCLA
Photo by: Morgan Givens/University of Oklahoma
Maxwell Blanks Bruins, Oklahoma Advances to National Semifinal
June 01, 2024 | Softball
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Despite Oklahoma closing in on an historic quest to win its fourth straight NCAA national softball championship, these have not always been the best of times for Sooners pitching ace Kelly Maxwell.
So on the morning of Saturday's high-profile winners' bracket showdown against perennial power UCLA in the Women's College World Series, Maxwell admitted she had "an eye-opening conversation" with OU head coach Patty Gasso.
The lengthy chat centered on Maxwell having faith in herself. Gasso pleaded for the left-handed super senior to block out the overflow of social media vitriol that has surrounded Maxwell since she transferred from rival Oklahoma State to OU after last season.
Buoyed by her new-found faith, Maxwell (21-2) responded by hurling a two-hit, complete-game shutout in the Sooners' 1-0 victory over the Bruins at Devon Park.
"This was an important game for both of us and Kelly decided to throw one of the best games of her life today," Gasso said. "There was no way we would be pulling her after the job she was doing."
Saturday's classic was a flashback to the low-scoring days of yesteryear at the WCWS.
"This is Kelly throwing a full game," Gasso said. "It's almost gone are those days. But because she was in a place, we wanted to keep going."
Maxwell calmly uttered, "I just put it all out there today. … Just being able to change speeds and just go for it."
The outcome pushed OU's NCAA Tournament winning streak to 20 games and snapped UCLA's winning streak at 14, the nation's longest active streak entering Saturday's tilt.
"A memorable game," Gasso surmised succinctly. "It was very exciting. Great pitching on both sides. We respect UCLA like nobody's business. They're such a good all-around team. Great hitters. They're an all-around great team."
The Sooners are looking for an unprecedented fourth straight national crown, their sixth NCAA crown in the last eight seasons and their eighth overall (all since 2000).
Meanwhile, the Bruins (43-11) are the only other softball program to claim three straight national titles and are looking for their 13th NCAA crown overall.
The Sooners (56-6) will next play at 11 a.m. Monday against either Alabama or the Texas/Florida loser.
Win that game and OU will advance to its fifth straight NCAA Championship Series.
Maxwell's career day included three critical strikeouts of UCLA three-time All-American shortstop Maya Brady.
Adding to the intrigue, the game's only run came compliments of four-time, first-team All-American OU shortstop Tiare Jennings, who is Brady's former travel ball teammate and longtime friend. Jennings slammed a towering solo home run to center in the bottom of the third inning.
"Me and her go way back," Jennings said of her and Brady. "We know, no matter what, the love runs deep, way more than softball. I texted her this morning, 'No matter the outcome, I love you, I'm rooting for you.' We have that sisterhood like no other. You just move on and wish them the best."
Jennings' heroics came shortly after Avery Hodge replaced Alynah Torres at second base in the top half of the third inning after Torres lost a high fly ball in the sun and was struck in the head. The ball bounded all the way behind home plate on what was ruled an infield fly.
Jennings blasted the first pitch in the bottom of the inning.
"I knew I was just going to be confident in myself," explained Jennings, who continues to add to her resume as one of the greatest players in OU history. "Alynah went down. (I thought) just got to get this party started. Just hit the ball hard. Don't try to hit it out or nothing."
It was Jennings' ninth career WCWS home run and the 96th homer of her career, moving her past former OU standout Lauren Chamberlain into sole possession of third on the NCAA all-time list.
"What was really cool, when Alynah got hit in the eye and we knew she was going to be out, Tiare comes up right after that happened and hits the ball out," Gasso said. "Those are memories. Now this becomes life, right? When you gather together in 10 years, you're going to talk about those things. That's what's cool. It's more than just winning and losing."
Maxwell didn't surrender her first hit until the fourth on Jordan Woolery's solid single up the middle. The other hit was an infield single, also up the middle, from Megan Grant.
With the bases empty and two out in the top of the seventh, Brady stepped to the plate for the final act of great theater. With two strikes against her, Brady hit a bouncing grounder to Hodge, which was scooped up and thrown to first for the final out.
It was the eighth WCWS meeting between the two storied programs. The series is now tied 4-4.
"UCLA played toe-to-toe," Gasso said. "We played toe-to-toe together. There are just a few moments you'll never forget. Felt like two heavyweights going back and forth. I don't know what it felt like from the crowd, because at times it could feel like it could be a boring game. We want offense. We want offense. This is one of those good old-fashioned pitching duels. It's fun but it's, like, gut-wrenching."
OU advances to the NCAA semifinal set for Monday, June 3 at 11 a.m. CT in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma's opponent is to-be-determined, as Alabama will play the loser of Saturday's Florida vs. Texas contest in Sunday's elimination game for a berth in Monday's semifinal tilt. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN with Beth Mowins, Jessica Mendoza and Michele Smith on the call. All games can also be heard via 107.7 FM The Franchise in Oklahoma or nationwide on The Varsity Network with Chris Plank and alumna DJ Sanchez on the call.
For updates and more information on Oklahoma Softball, follow the Sooners on Twitter/X and Instagram (@OU_Softball) and like Oklahoma Softball on Facebook.
So on the morning of Saturday's high-profile winners' bracket showdown against perennial power UCLA in the Women's College World Series, Maxwell admitted she had "an eye-opening conversation" with OU head coach Patty Gasso.
The lengthy chat centered on Maxwell having faith in herself. Gasso pleaded for the left-handed super senior to block out the overflow of social media vitriol that has surrounded Maxwell since she transferred from rival Oklahoma State to OU after last season.
Buoyed by her new-found faith, Maxwell (21-2) responded by hurling a two-hit, complete-game shutout in the Sooners' 1-0 victory over the Bruins at Devon Park.
"This was an important game for both of us and Kelly decided to throw one of the best games of her life today," Gasso said. "There was no way we would be pulling her after the job she was doing."
Saturday's classic was a flashback to the low-scoring days of yesteryear at the WCWS.
"This is Kelly throwing a full game," Gasso said. "It's almost gone are those days. But because she was in a place, we wanted to keep going."
Maxwell calmly uttered, "I just put it all out there today. … Just being able to change speeds and just go for it."
The outcome pushed OU's NCAA Tournament winning streak to 20 games and snapped UCLA's winning streak at 14, the nation's longest active streak entering Saturday's tilt.
"A memorable game," Gasso surmised succinctly. "It was very exciting. Great pitching on both sides. We respect UCLA like nobody's business. They're such a good all-around team. Great hitters. They're an all-around great team."
The Sooners are looking for an unprecedented fourth straight national crown, their sixth NCAA crown in the last eight seasons and their eighth overall (all since 2000).
Meanwhile, the Bruins (43-11) are the only other softball program to claim three straight national titles and are looking for their 13th NCAA crown overall.
The Sooners (56-6) will next play at 11 a.m. Monday against either Alabama or the Texas/Florida loser.
Win that game and OU will advance to its fifth straight NCAA Championship Series.
Maxwell's career day included three critical strikeouts of UCLA three-time All-American shortstop Maya Brady.
Adding to the intrigue, the game's only run came compliments of four-time, first-team All-American OU shortstop Tiare Jennings, who is Brady's former travel ball teammate and longtime friend. Jennings slammed a towering solo home run to center in the bottom of the third inning.
"Me and her go way back," Jennings said of her and Brady. "We know, no matter what, the love runs deep, way more than softball. I texted her this morning, 'No matter the outcome, I love you, I'm rooting for you.' We have that sisterhood like no other. You just move on and wish them the best."
Jennings' heroics came shortly after Avery Hodge replaced Alynah Torres at second base in the top half of the third inning after Torres lost a high fly ball in the sun and was struck in the head. The ball bounded all the way behind home plate on what was ruled an infield fly.
Jennings blasted the first pitch in the bottom of the inning.
"I knew I was just going to be confident in myself," explained Jennings, who continues to add to her resume as one of the greatest players in OU history. "Alynah went down. (I thought) just got to get this party started. Just hit the ball hard. Don't try to hit it out or nothing."
It was Jennings' ninth career WCWS home run and the 96th homer of her career, moving her past former OU standout Lauren Chamberlain into sole possession of third on the NCAA all-time list.
"What was really cool, when Alynah got hit in the eye and we knew she was going to be out, Tiare comes up right after that happened and hits the ball out," Gasso said. "Those are memories. Now this becomes life, right? When you gather together in 10 years, you're going to talk about those things. That's what's cool. It's more than just winning and losing."
Maxwell didn't surrender her first hit until the fourth on Jordan Woolery's solid single up the middle. The other hit was an infield single, also up the middle, from Megan Grant.
With the bases empty and two out in the top of the seventh, Brady stepped to the plate for the final act of great theater. With two strikes against her, Brady hit a bouncing grounder to Hodge, which was scooped up and thrown to first for the final out.
It was the eighth WCWS meeting between the two storied programs. The series is now tied 4-4.
"UCLA played toe-to-toe," Gasso said. "We played toe-to-toe together. There are just a few moments you'll never forget. Felt like two heavyweights going back and forth. I don't know what it felt like from the crowd, because at times it could feel like it could be a boring game. We want offense. We want offense. This is one of those good old-fashioned pitching duels. It's fun but it's, like, gut-wrenching."
Up Next
OU advances to the NCAA semifinal set for Monday, June 3 at 11 a.m. CT in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma's opponent is to-be-determined, as Alabama will play the loser of Saturday's Florida vs. Texas contest in Sunday's elimination game for a berth in Monday's semifinal tilt. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN with Beth Mowins, Jessica Mendoza and Michele Smith on the call. All games can also be heard via 107.7 FM The Franchise in Oklahoma or nationwide on The Varsity Network with Chris Plank and alumna DJ Sanchez on the call.
For updates and more information on Oklahoma Softball, follow the Sooners on Twitter/X and Instagram (@OU_Softball) and like Oklahoma Softball on Facebook.
Players Mentioned
INF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
LHP
/ Softball
UTL
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