Women's College World Series: Oklahoma clinches 3rd straight national title with 3-1 win over Florida State

Christina Huang
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - JUNE 08: The Oklahoma Sooners celebrate after defeating the Florida State Seminoles in the Division I Women's Softball Championship held at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium on June 8, 2023 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Tyler Schank/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
Oklahoma, winners of 53 straight games, celebrate after defeating the Florida State Seminoles for the national championship at the Women's World Series. (Photo by Tyler Schank/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) (Tyler Schank via Getty Images)

Oklahoma softball cruised to its third consecutive national championship after a 3-1 win over Florida State on Thursday night in Game 2 of the Women’s College World Series at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City.

Both teams were scoreless through the first three innings, largely due to the pitching duel between Oklahoma’s Alex Storako and Florida State’s Kathryn Sandercock, a 2023 All-American First Team selection.

Storako, a Michigan transfer and 2021 Big Ten Pitcher of the Year, started for the Sooners in place of Jordy Bahl, who led the reigning national champions to a 5-0 win over the Seminoles on Wednesday.

The former Wolverine had some extra help from the Oklahoma defense to keep Florida State down, including an impressive catch from outfielder Jayda Coleman that robbed the Seminoles of a home run.

"It's really exciting to make those plays," Coleman said about her catch. "I practice them all the time. But like I say every single time, the best thing out of those plays is watching your teammates react and watching them just be so happy for you."

Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners outfielder Jayda Coleman (24) makes a catch at the wall in the third inning against the Florida State Seminoles during game two of the Women's College World Series finals at OGE Energy Field at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex. Oklahoma won the game 3-1 and the National Championship. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
Sooners outfielder Jayda Coleman made the defensive play of the game, robbing the Seminoles of a home run. (Brett Rojo/USA TODAY Sports) (USA TODAY USPW / reuters)

Storako allowed Florida State to score only once, with a home run from Mack Leonard in the fourth inning, which put the Seminoles on the board first.

Oklahoma quickly responded with a few runs of its own.

Sophomore infielder Cydney Sanders hit the Sooners’ first homer of the night in the fifth inning, tying the game at 1-1. Oklahoma quickly turned the tie into a lead when redshirt senior infielder Grace Lyons hit a home run on the next at-bat, giving Oklahoma a 2-1 lead. Lyons’ homer also happened to be Oklahoma’s 500th run of the season.

Bahl, who did not give up an earned run in the World Series, finally entered the game as the Sooners' pitcher in the fifth inning.

"Just shut it down; don't give them anything," Bahl said about her thoughts entering the pitching circle to ESPN's Holly Rowe.

Storako allowed the one run on three hits to earn the win.

With Oklahoma's victory, it becomes only the second team in NCAA softball history to win a national title in three consecutive years. UCLA accomplished the same feat in 1988-1990.

The Sooners will also begin the 2023-2024 season on a 53-game win streak, the longest win streak in NCAA softball history.

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