Kelly Maxwell praises Sooner Nation after Oklahoma wins fourth straight national championship

On Thursday, Oklahoma became the first team in NCAA Softball history to win four straight national titles. The Sooners defeated Texas 8-4 in Game 2 to secure history. After the game, Oklahoma star pitcher Kelly Maxwell reflected on the victory.
“It was loud and thank you Sooner Nation for being here tonight,” Maxwell said. “It was an awesome crowd. I just had my blinders on the whole way and I knew I was gonna give all the glory to God.”
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It was a short night on the mound for Maxwell. In the win, the redshirt senior only pitched 1.1 innings and was the fifth and final pitcher Oklahoma used, a tournament record. Maxwell finished the NCAA Tournament with a 5-0 record while boasting a 1.88 ERA and a jaw-dropping 45 strikeouts.
For her efforts, Maxwell was named the NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. She is the fourth Oklahoma pitcher in the past four years to reel in the honor. Of course, this was the only season Maxwell spent as a Sooner.
Maxwell transferred to Oklahoma ahead of this season after spending four years at Oklahoma State. After the game, Maxwell pulled back the curtain on her tumultuous to journey to the top of the college softball world.
“This year has been so hard but I’m grateful that I’m here and grateful that the staff welcomed me with open arms and I just praise God,” Maxwell said.
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Obviously, Maxwell’s determination paid dividends. While the Texas native did not hold down the mound by herself in Game 2, she pitched a complete game in the Sooners’ 8-3 victory over the Longhorns in Game 1.
In the triumph, Maxwell only allowed four hits and three runs while tallying eight strikeouts. After the game on Thursday, Oklahoma head coach Patty Gasso gave Maxwell her flowers.
“God is good and he’s blessed this team, he’s bless his program,” Gasso continued. “We worked hard, we do it a blue collar style. We fight, we’re gritty. There’s nothing we feel that we can overcome. And that’s why we go out with just play free. I can’t tell you what this means for the seniors.
“For Kelly Maxwell. I will remember — this was the hardest of all, without question, and it’s going to probably be the most remembered for just the magnitude of what these guys have done. It’s unbelievable.”