In Oklahoma’s magical run in 2023, the Sooners reset the standard for excellence in college softball. Their 61-1 record made them the winningest team in history after extending the game’s best all-time winning streak to 53 games.
On the final night of the season, in the game that clinched the Sooners’ third consecutive national title, Oklahoma’s deep roster powered the Sooners.
Alex Storako gave Oklahoma four strong innings before giving way to the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, Jordy Bahl. Storako allowed three hits and one run in the start. Though the home run put the Sooners behind in the game, she was able to limit the damage when she found herself in danger with the help of some excellent defense behind her.
The Michigan transfer had been a huge key to Oklahoma’s success early in the season when Bahl was going through a bit of a sophomore slump. And on the grandest stage, Storako had a fantastic performance to keep Oklahoma in the game long enough for the bats to take off.
In the Sooners’ next at-bat, back-to-back home runs from Cydney Sanders and Grace Lyons put Oklahoma up 2-1 in the game. That was both players’ ninth home run of the season. Sanders and Lyons each had more than 20 home runs in 2022, but this year the long ball was more difficult to come by. But when it mattered most, the two power hitters powered Oklahoma to a lead and, ultimately a national title.
And that’s what has been special about this team. On a night when Jayda Coleman and Tiare Jennings go hitless, the Sooners have a lineup full of players that can hurt the opposition with one swing of the bat.
Their depth was the difference all season long. As Oklahoma dealt with injuries in the early part of the season or with early season struggles, the depth helped keep them afloat. And as the season wore on, it came through in critical moments, as it did on Thursday night.
In the wake of making their trip to the championship series, the Sooners celebrated with chants of “we too deep.” In their sweep of Florida State for the national title, they put that depth on display.
Best photos from the Sooners’ national title win
NCAA Softball: Womens College World Series-Oklahoma vs Florida State
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners starting pitcher Alex Storako (8) gets ready…
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners starting pitcher Alex Storako (8) gets ready for the second 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
NCAA Softball: Womens College World Series-Oklahoma vs Florida State
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners outfielder Rylie Boone (0) catches the ball…
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners outfielder Rylie Boone (0) catches the ball for an out in the second 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
NCAA Softball: Womens College World Series-Oklahoma vs Florida State
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners shortstop Grace Lyons (3) hits a single…
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners shortstop Grace Lyons (3) hits a single 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
NCAA Softball: Womens College World Series-Oklahoma vs Florida State
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners outfielder Rylie Boone (0) bunts in the…
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners outfielder Rylie Boone (0) bunts 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
NCAA Softball: Womens College World Series-Oklahoma vs Florida State
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners outfielder Jayda Coleman (24) runs after getting…
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners outfielder Jayda Coleman (24) runs after getting a hit 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
NCAA Softball: Womens College World Series-Oklahoma vs Florida State
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners starting pitcher Alex Storako (8) throws a…
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners starting pitcher Alex Storako (8) throws a pitch 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
NCAA Softball: Womens College World Series-Oklahoma vs Florida State
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners outfielder Jayda Coleman (24) makes a catch…
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
NCAA Softball: Womens College World Series-Oklahoma vs Florida State
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners starting pitcher Alex Storako (8) yells after…
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners starting pitcher Alex Storako (8) yells after the final out of the in the third inning against 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
NCAA Softball: Womens College World Series-Oklahoma vs Florida State
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners first baseman Cydney Sanders (1) hits a…
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners first baseman Cydney Sanders (1) hits a home run in the fifth 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
NCAA Softball: Womens College World Series-Oklahoma vs Florida State
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners players celebrate first baseman Cydney Sanders (1)…
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners players celebrate first baseman Cydney Sanders (1) home run in the fifth 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
NCAA Softball: Womens College World Series-Oklahoma vs Florida State
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners shortstop Grace Lyons (3) hits a home…
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners shortstop Grace Lyons (3) hits a home run in the fifth 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
NCAA Softball: Womens College World Series-Oklahoma vs Florida State
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Florida State Seminoles outfielder Kaley Mudge (6) jumps but…
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Florida State Seminoles outfielder Kaley Mudge (6) jumps but can’t make the catch of Oklahoma Sooners shortstop Grace Lyons (not pictured) home run in the fifth inning during game two of the Women’s College World Series finals at OGE Energy Field at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Softball: Womens College World Series-Oklahoma vs Florida State
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners pitcher Jordyn Bahl (98) throws a pitch…
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners pitcher Jordyn Bahl (98) throws a pitch in the fifth 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
NCAA Softball: Womens College World Series-Oklahoma vs Florida State
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners outfielder Jayda Coleman (24) makes a catch…
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners outfielder Jayda Coleman (24) makes a catch for an out in the fifth 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
NCAA Softball: Womens College World Series-Oklahoma vs Florida State
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners utility Sophia Nugent (17) bunts the ball…
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners utility Sophia Nugent (17) bunts the ball in the sixth 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
NCAA Softball: Womens College World Series-Oklahoma vs Florida State
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners utility Alynah Torres (40) hits a single…
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners utility Alynah Torres (40) hits a single in the sixth 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
NCAA Softball: Womens College World Series-Oklahoma vs Florida State
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Patty Gasso walks to the…
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Patty Gasso walks to the coaches box in the sixth 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
NCAA Softball: Womens College World Series-Oklahoma vs Florida State
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners outfielder Jayda Coleman (24) talks to head…
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners outfielder Jayda Coleman (24) talks to head coach Patty Gasso before her at bat in the seventh 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
NCAA Softball: Womens College World Series-Oklahoma vs Florida State
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners shortstop Grace Lyons (3) throws to first…
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners shortstop Grace Lyons (3) throws to first for an out in the seventh 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
NCAA Softball: Womens College World Series-Oklahoma vs Florida State
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners third baseman Alyssa Brito (33) motions to…
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners third baseman Alyssa Brito (33) motions to the crowd in the seventh 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
NCAA Softball: Womens College World Series-Oklahoma vs Florida State
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners players celebrate with the National Championship trophy…
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners players celebrate with the National Championship trophy after defeating the Florida State Seminoles 3-1 in game two of the Women’s College World Series finals at OGE Energy Field at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Softball: Womens College World Series-Oklahoma vs Florida State
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners outfielder Jayda Coleman (24) and second baseman…
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners outfielder Jayda Coleman (24) and second baseman Tiare Jennings (23) hug after defeating Florida State Seminoles 3-1 and win the National Championship in game two of the Women’s College World Series finals at OGE Energy Field at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Softball: Womens College World Series-Oklahoma vs Florida State
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners starting pitcher Jordyn Bahl (98) gets a…
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners starting pitcher Jordyn Bahl (98) gets a hug after the Sooners defeated the Florida State Seminoles 3-1 to win the National Championship in game two of the Women’s College World Series finals at OGE Energy Field at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Softball: Womens College World Series-Oklahoma vs Florida State
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners pitcher Jordyn Bahl (98) poses with the…
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners pitcher Jordyn Bahl (98) poses with the Most Outstanding Player trophy after the Sooners defeated the Florida State Seminoles 3-1 and win the National Championship in game two of the Women’s College World Series finals at OGE Energy Field at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Softball: Womens College World Series-Oklahoma vs Florida State
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Patty Gasso waves to the…
Jun 8, 2023; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Patty Gasso waves to the crowd after the Sooners defeated the Florida State Seminoles 3-1 to win the National Championship in game two of the Women’s College World Series finals at OGE Energy Field at the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports