Chasing a fourth straight national title to cap off her college career, Tiare Jennings wasted no time getting Oklahoma on the board. Her two-run home run got things going for the Sooners against Texas Wednesday night as they continued their quest for a Women’s College World Series four-peat.
But her focus after the game was on Kelly Maxwell, the Oklahoma State transfer pitcher who threw 148 pitches in an elimination game on Tuesday and pitched another seven innings Wednesday night to get the win against the Longhorns. Jennings sees what the OU faithful is seeing – and even she can’t describe how well Maxwell is playing.
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“There’s something going on with Kelly Maxwell right now,” Jennings told ESPN’s Holly Rowe after the game. “The Lord is working through her, and you can just see it all over her face and it’s bleeding through this team.
“We’re just gonna go down and just gonna go out there and keep fighting with her. But there’s something going on Kelly Maxwell right now and she’s looking real good.”
“Just all faith and all confidence in what I’m doing and this team. We’re just gonna keep fighting. Kelly just pitched another great game as well. But just going out there having fun and just doing whatever we can to get this first game.”
Maxwell threw another gem in the circle Wednesday night, striking out eight while allowing four hits, four walks and three runs – only one of which was earned. She totaled 119 pitches in the effort, taking her to 267 over the last two days.
But it all began with Jennings’ two-run home run in the first inning to get things going. It was yet another big moment for the OU senior who has been in Norman for the entire three-peat, and her approach was simple when she stepped to the plate against freshman Teagan Kavan.
“Just [looking for] something to hit hard,” Jennings said. “I mean, I’ve got all faith in this team and everything that they can give me and I’m gonna give them all I can. Just going out there and try to hit something hard, and good things happen.”
Now, Oklahoma is one win away from going where no team has ever gone: four straight WCWS titles. As for how her team will keep its focus, Tiare Jennings said it’s about leaving everything on the dirt at Devon Park.
“Just eyes up. Giving all the glory to God and being out there having fun, sending this senior class just one day at a time,” Jennings said. “But just letting it all out there. Giving it all you you can. It’s a sport that we’ve been playing for so long.”
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