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Oklahoma softball: Sooners add Oklahoma State ace pitcher via transfer

By Chip Rouse

Oklahoma State pitcher Kelly Maxwell (28) pitches during a softball game between Oklahoma State (OSU) and Tennessee at the Women's College World Series at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City on Sunday, June 4, 2023.
Oklahoma State pitcher Kelly Maxwell (28) pitches during a softball game between Oklahoma State (OSU) and Tennessee at the Women's College World Series at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City on Sunday, June 4, 2023. /
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Oklahoma softball is a magnet attracting top talent, and it is reported that the Sooners have pulled off the ultimate insult by picking up Oklahoma State star pitcher Kelly Maxwell via the transfer portal.

Extra Inning Softball reported Thursday morning that Maxwell was moving to the other side of Bedlam and would be donning an Oklahoma Sooner uniform for the 2024 season. She is the first OSU softball player to switch sides in the Sooner State in the transfer portal era but the second OSU athlete to do so in the past year. Football defensive lineman Trace Ford transferred to OU after last season.

It had been rumored ever since the 2023 college softball season ended that the three-time national champion Sooners could be a landing spot for the veteran Maxwell, who has one season of eligibility remaining.

In four seasons at Oklahoma State, the left-handed Maxwell compiled a record of 58-20 with a sparkling 1.58 earned run average. This past season, she helped lead the Cowgirls to the Women’s College World Series. At one point during the 2023 season, Oklahoma State was ranked No. 2 in the nation right behind the top-ranked Sooners. Maxwell went 16-7 this past season with a 1.91 ERA.

Maxwell’s decision to transfer was largely prompted by the retirement of Oklahoma State pitching coach John Bargfeldt.

After losing Oklahoma ace and All-American Jordy Bahl, the Most Outstanding Player in the WCWS this past season, to the transfer portal, OU head coach Patty Gasso turned to the transfer portal, as she has the past few seasons, to replenish and reload the Sooners’ pitching rotation.

In addition to the loss of Bahl from the pitching rotation, Oklahoma needed to replace Alex Storako, a transfer from Michigan, whose eligibility ended.

Since the 2023 season ended, OU has added Wisconsin transfer Paytn Monticelli and Karlie Keeney from Liberty. The new additions will join returning pitchers Nicole May, a three-year veteran, and Kierston Deal.

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