Norman, Okla. — The dynasty isn’t done yet. If there was any doubt that the Oklahoma Sooners were still the team to beat in college softball, Saturday’s emphatic 13-2 victory over Alabama in the Norman Super Regional wiped it away in thunderous fashion. In a scene that felt more like a coronation than a contest, Oklahoma punched its ticket to the Women’s College World Series for the eighth consecutive season, continuing its historic run and reaffirming its place atop the softball world.
From the very first pitch, there was an energy at Marita Hynes Field that signaled something special was coming. The Sooners, winners of four of the last five national championships, entered Game 2 of the Super Regional with a chance to sweep the Crimson Tide and avoid a decisive third game. They didn’t just win — they dominated, dismantling Alabama’s hopes in a five-inning mercy-rule rout that left no question about which team was more prepared for the moment.
This wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. A 13-run explosion on the sport’s biggest stage — against one of the most storied programs in the SEC — showcased the relentless depth, poise, and power that defines Patty Gasso’s squad.
Oklahoma’s offense, which has overwhelmed opponents all year, erupted again in front of a raucous home crowd. With All-Americans and future pros up and down the lineup, the Sooners wasted no time turning a highly anticipated showdown into a one-sided showcase. The Sooners scored runs in every inning but the third, plating four in the first, three in the second, five in the fourth, and tacking on one more for good measure in the fifth to end the game early.
Senior slugger Tiare Jennings led the charge, driving in four runs on two hits, including a first-inning three-run home run that sent the crimson-clad faithful into a frenzy. It was her 22nd homer of the year and a shot that set the tone for what was to come. Jennings, playing in her final home game in Norman, added yet another chapter to her storied career and gave Sooner Nation a parting gift they won’t soon forget.
“I knew I had to come through for my team,” Jennings said afterward, her voice cracking slightly. “This place has given me everything. To go out like this, with this group, in front of these fans… it’s unforgettable.”
But Jennings wasn’t the only star in the lineup. Sophomore utility player Avery Hodge delivered a perfect 3-for-3 performance, scoring twice and adding a double. Jayda Coleman was her usual electric self, scoring three runs and getting on base in all four of her plate appearances. Haley Lee added a double and two RBIs, and true freshman Jocelyn Erickson continued her breakout campaign with a towering two-run blast in the fourth that effectively put the game away.
If the offense was explosive, the pitching and defense were equally dominant. Right-hander Kelly Maxwell, a veteran transfer from Oklahoma State, tossed four masterful innings, allowing just three hits and striking out six. After a slightly shaky first inning in which Alabama pushed across two runs, Maxwell settled in and mowed through the Tide lineup, retiring eight of the final nine batters she faced. Nicole May came on in relief and closed the door with a scoreless fifth, striking out two to end it.
“I’m proud of this team for how they responded,” head coach Patty Gasso said postgame. “We’ve been building toward this moment all year, and they rose to the occasion. The energy, the execution, the fight — everything was clicking. That’s the Oklahoma standard.”
The Oklahoma standard. It’s more than just a catchphrase at this point. It’s a way of life. It’s dominance built on decades of excellence and carried forward by a culture of grit, precision, and family. The Sooners have now won 59 of their last 64 postseason games and appear poised to make another deep run in Oklahoma City.
With Saturday’s win, Oklahoma improves to 54-6 on the season and looks every bit the part of a team capable of winning its fourth consecutive national championship. No program in college softball history has achieved that feat — not Arizona, not UCLA, not even the early-2000s dynasties. But the Sooners, with a roster stacked with experience, swagger, and talent, are on the brink of rewriting the record books once again.
And what makes this year’s journey even more compelling is that it hasn’t always been easy. The 2024-25 campaign began with questions. Could Oklahoma reload after losing Jocelyn Alo, Grace Lyons, and Hope Trautwein? Would the incoming transfers and younger players gel quickly enough? How would the team handle the enormous pressure of a four-peat? But as always, Gasso’s leadership and her team’s buy-in proved more powerful than any doubts.
This year’s team, while perhaps not as dominant wire-to-wire as some past squads, has shown a different kind of strength — one forged through adversity and fueled by purpose. They’ve battled injuries, overcome slumps, and won gritty road games. They’ve beaten top-ranked opponents and walked off rivals. And now, after demolishing Alabama — a team with multiple wins over ranked opponents this season — they head to the WCWS not just as contenders, but as favorites.
For Alabama, it was a disappointing end to a resilient postseason push. The Crimson Tide entered the Super Regionals with momentum after an upset of Tennessee in Knoxville, but they couldn’t match Oklahoma’s firepower. Montana Fouts’ graduation left a void in the circle that proved too difficult to fill. Pitchers Kayla Beaver and Jaala Torrence struggled to contain the Sooners’ bats, combining to allow 12 earned runs on 13 hits and five walks. Even Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy, a legend in his own right, tipped his cap.
“Oklahoma is as advertised,” Murphy said. “They don’t give you an inch. They’re relentless. We fought, but they were the better team this weekend.”
Indeed, Oklahoma’s balance across all facets — offense, defense, pitching, leadership — is what makes this team so dangerous. Whether it’s the emotional fire of Jayda Coleman, the quiet consistency of Kinzie Hansen behind the plate, or the big-moment brilliance of Jennings and Erickson, this is a team that knows how to win — and more importantly, knows how to win together.
As the final out was recorded and the celebration erupted, chants of “OKC! OKC!” rang out. Players embraced on the field, tears flowed on the sidelines, and Sooner fans stood and roared as their heroes took a victory lap around the diamond.
