Oklahoma softball caps record-setting season with third-straight title

The No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners ended a historic 2023 season with a bang Thursday, downing No. 3 Florida State 3-1, sweeping their way to a third-straight Women's College World Series Championship.

The Sooners are only the second program to win back-to-back-to-back championships, joining the UCLA Bruins (1988-90), per ESPN Stats and Info . They also set records for best record, longest winning streak and for scoring 500 runs for the third straight season.

It's Oklahoma's seventh softball title, all coming under head coach Patty Gasso. Gasso ties Sharron Buckas (UCLA) for the second-most National Championship victories as a head coach. Gasso trails only Mike Candrea (Arizona), who has eight, for the all-time lead.

Florida State, needing to win two straight to take the series, took an early 1-0 advantage Thursday night when Mack Leonard homered in the fourth. However, the Seminoles' lead was short-lived, as the Sooners jumped ahead in the top of the fifth after back-to-back long balls from Cydney Sanders and Grace Lyons.

After adding an insurance run in the sixth, Oklahoma's pitching took care of things from then on. Following a solid four-inning outing, starter Alex Storako gave way to Jordyn Bahl. Bahl held Florida State hitless over three innings of work, posting three strikeouts and earning World Series Most Outstanding Player honors.

The Sooners ended the year on a record-setting 53-game winning streak. And after capturing yet another championship, this year's team has secured its place among the best of all time.