Oklahoma softball shined on the world stage to begin the new year

The start of 2026 could not have went any better for Patty Gasso. The legendary Oklahoma softball head coach, her program's own alumni Kelly Maxwell, Alyssa Brito and Tiare Estrem (Jennings), and 13 other players representing the United States Women’s National Team, defeated Australia 4-0 at the USA Down Under Series last week in Brisbane.

While the location of the four-day event meant starting the new year 16 hours ahead of the Norman faithful, the GOAT showed why she deserved to become the head coach of the USWNT with four consecutive shutout 9-0, 14-0, 7-0 and 8-0 victories that all ended in a mercy rule for each game. Since Gasso made her international coaching debut last August at the Chengdu 2025 World Games in China, the Eagles have been on a nine-game winning streak, which featured contributions from Women’s College World Series-winning Oklahoma alumni.

OU softball alumni help USWNT sweep Australia in USA Down Under Series

Throughout the series, the Sooner trio was a factor both in the circle and at the plate. Maxwell did not allow a single hit for the 4.2 innings pitched in two games and combined with Alabama’s Montana Fouts for a no-hitter in the third game on Thursday.

Estrem had a fantastic performance on the plate, where she went 3-for-10 and scored two runs and batted in four runs. Brito, in her debut on the national roster, made the highlight of the series with a grand slam in Game 3 and smacked a second home run in the series closer. Going 5-for-7 with four runs and eight RBIs, she was named the series MVP.

This won’t be the last time these former Sooners compete this year, as Maxwell, Brito, Estrem and eight more Oklahoma legends will be back in the pros for the next Athletes Unlimited Softball League season, which is scheduled to resume play in the summer following the 2026 WCWS.