Alex Storako's dream comes true, helping Oklahoma win national title
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rob Storako had no idea his daughter would be pitching for the national championship Thursday night.
A transfer from Michigan, Alex Storako hadn’t seen the field much at the Women’s College World Series, other than an inning against Tennessee. But on Thursday, with a chance to win the program’s third consecutive national title, it was Storako’s circle. And for her entire family, it was a thrilling surprise.
“I didn’t know she was pitching until the starting lineups,” Rob told SoonerScoop.com. “Panic. Excitement. I had butterflies in my stomach. And I got emotional. I barely made it through the national anthem. She finally got to pitch in this situation.”
And Storako delivered.
The senior pitched four innings for the Sooners, giving up only three hits and one run. She got out of several jams, thanks to some stellar defense and timely strikeouts. She gave Oklahoma’s offense a chance to win the game, which they did due to back-to-back home runs from sophomore Cydney Sanders and senior Grace Lyons in the fifth inning. And she allowed sophomore Jordy Bahl to come in and close the game.
“It was an absolute dream come true,” Storako said. “It just kind of took my breath away. I loved every minute of it. My defense had my back 100% of the time. And I couldn’t have asked for anything more.”
For coach Patty Gasso, the plan was always to give the ball to Storako Thursday. Albeit many believed it would go to junior Nicole May, who has pitched in the champ series in previous years.
But Gasso trusted Storako and stuck with her plan.
“It was a matchup that was going to be like Storako, May, maybe Kierston Deal, lefty-lefty matchups. Try to score. If we can get a lead, bring in Jordy,” Gasso said. “That was the whole plan. Alex has been waiting for this moment. Nicole helped us get here. They all have helped us get here. Alex was kind of the right matchup.”
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When Storako chose to transfer to Oklahoma, it was for this exact moment. At Michigan, she was the team’s ace and had to carry the weight of the team. And as a result, she looked to transfer to a program where it wasn’t all on her.
At Oklahoma, she was one of several aces. And although she wasn’t OU’s best pitcher, she excelled in her role, going 18-0 and posting a 1.12 ERA.
Above all though, she found joy in the game again.
“It’s been amazing watching her from her first game at Michigan to now,” Rob said. “She grew as a pitcher her. She loved softball again. Toward the end of her time at Michigan, she was worn down – physically and mentally. When she got here, she found a new joy for the game. She didn’t have to be the one to put everything on her shoulders. It’s been a great experience since Day 1.
“Oklahoma softball will always have a place in my heart. They took us in as family. I can’t say enough about what this program means to me and my family.”
So while Storako’s time in Norman was short, she left her mark on the program.
“So proud of her. She’s worked hard,” Gasso said. “She’s come through a lot. And she’s changed quite a bit. Has gotten a lot of confidence. There are a lot of dreams that came true tonight. Alex Storako is definitely one of them.”
