Oklahoma leads Florida State for its third consecutive NCAA softball title

Oklahoma City — Oklahoma’s historic run during the softball season was capped with a 3-1 victory over Florida State and its third straight national championship Thursday night.

This was the Sooners’ 53rd consecutive NCAA victory. They became the first team to win back-to-back titles since UCLA in 1990.

“Right now, what she feels from us is freedom. Because it was so claustrophobic while we were at full swing, and the expectations were high,” Sooners coach Patty Jasso told ESPN. “But they handled it like champs, and that’s why we’re here now.”

After falling behind 1-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning, the prolific Oklahoma offense responded with two consecutive home runs from ACC Pitcher of the Year Kathryn Sandercock to start the fifth.

It was Sandercock’s first multiplayer game since February 19th.

Then, Oklahoma All-American Jordy Bahl walked out of the barn giving up Alex Sturaco, who gave up an earned run and three hits in four innings, improving to 18–0. Bahl pitched three scoreless innings, securing her fourth save of the season.

One of five First Team All-Americans on her team, Bahl scored two runs as a pinch runner during the Women’s College World Series.

She also threw 24 consecutive scoreless 2/3 innings during the WCWS, which is the third most all-time behind Oklahoma State’s Amy Day (27 2/3 in 1994) and UCLA’s Lisa Fernandez (26 in 1992).

This is the Sooners’ sixth championship in the last 10 years and seventh overall. Only UCLA (12) and Arizona (8) have more championships.

The last time the Sooners lost was 109 days ago on February 19th. During their 53-game winning streak, they have scored 23 wins against their ranked opponents and posted an overall spread of +371. This season, they set a program record with 35 shutouts, and have never fallen behind by more than 3 runs at any one time.

Oklahoma has made its case as the most complete team ever, leading the country in fielding percentage, batting average, home runs, and earned run average. Four shells hit over . 400. Three pitchers have an ERA of less than 1.00.

Responsible for all seven championships, Oklahoma and head coach Patty Jasso will be looking to win four straight championships next year.

But she’ll have to do without Storaco, Haley Lee, and Grace Lyons in Little Red Riding Hood.

Soon, however, all five Americans returned in Bahl, center fielder Jada Coleman, second baseman Tiara Jennings, third baseman Alyssa Brito and catcher Kinsey Hansen.

Florida State, who won the ACC title, finished the season with 58 wins—the most since the 2018 season when the Seminoles won the national championship.