How Kelly Maxwell learned to let go, be free and dominate for OU softball

OKLAHOMA CITY – There’s just a different look in OU softball head coach Patty Gasso’s eye when talking about Kelly Maxwell.

It might have something to do with Maxwell’s on-field development. But digging deeper, it’s more about the transformation off the field.

A transformation that certainly wasn’t easy but reached its conclusion Thursday night.

On the biggest stage, in what should have been the most stressful moment, Maxwell was as calm as could. Gasso was as stress-free as it gets.

Go finish the job. Maxwell did that, recording the final four outs to give OU its fourth straight national championship with an 8-4 victory over No. 1-ranked Texas in the Women’s College World Series championship series Tuesday at OGE Field at Devon Park.

Maxwell is allowed to breathe and has even begun to smile.

“I can tell you that Kelly, this season, but this post-season, especially the World Series, Kelly will be changed forever,” Gasso said. “That is the greatest gift she could give us. Not the championship, but watching this young lady break out of her shell and smile and laugh and just enjoy being a good pitcher with good players who really appreciate and respect her.”

Eventually, Maxwell just had to learn to let go. A whole lot easier said than done. Maxwell’s transfer from Oklahoma State to OU sent shockwaves through the softball world.

But in this state? Yea, it resonated just a little bit differently. An OSU legend for years and years – was that all just wiped away?

Coming to OU as the Sooners were aiming for history and the four-peat, would she ever truly be accepted as a Sooner?

The answer to the former will be decided with time. But the answer to the latter? An emphatic yes. One season is enough to be a Sooner for life. And the way the team embraced Maxwell is the only way that could have been possible.

The last image of an outstanding career the dogpile moment everybody dreams of, and Maxwell got to do it with co-captain Kinzie Hansen.

“Her decision to come here was not easy,” Hansen said. “Kelly and I, I caught her in Japan a couple years ago. Our relationship was already built beforehand. Just being able to be there with her through every step of the way, see her grow through it, it was just a special experience.

“I mean, her confidence has gone through the roof. Just being able to kind of establish that. I never got my chest bump, but I got the dogpile. I’ll take it (smiling).”

When it came time to announce the WCWS Most Outstanding Player, there was no doubt. It was going to be Maxwell.

For someone who wanted this chance on this stage so badly, Maxwell didn’t let it go to waste. Pushing herself beyond any limits she’s ever had before, simply sensational.

With OU up 5-3 with two outs in the top of the sixth, it was time. One final time to call Maxwell’s number and do what she did all week in Oklahoma City.

Five appearances, 27 innings, 12 hits, seven earned runs, 16 walks and 32 strikeouts. Maxwell went 3-0 in the WCWS and earned the championship-clinching save.

Thursday night couldn’t be about her because all Maxwell did was everything humanly possible to make sure Thursday could happen.

Last Saturday against UCLA was the dominant performance from Maxwell. OU needed every bit of it in the 1-0 victory.

But backs against the wall against Florida and Game 1 vs. Texas? That’s guts, heart. A warrior’s mentality of not being denied.

Fifteen innings, 267 pitches, two remarkable performances for different reasons.

So stepping back into the circle one final time, she was ready. A 5-3 lead turned into an 8-4 margin going into the top of the seventh.

Maxwell went to work. And as it came time for the final out, all eyes upon her. Simply locked into the moment like never before.

“She didn’t have anything on her face,” said Cydney Sanders, who had the game’s biggest hit with a three-run double in the fourth. “I was getting hype and she was just like, ‘Let’s go.’ It was amazing to see because it was just so much composure.”

The dogpile, the confetti, this was the dream when transferring to OU. Maxwell made it her reality Thursday night.

Maxwell has been one of the best pitchers in softball the last five seasons. But to do what she had never done, it had to be internally.

No matter what was being said, written – just be you.

“I think just through hard work, staying true to myself. Just kind of keeping my head down. Even though, like, you don’t want to see it, you still see it, it still kind of gets to you. Not being able to, you know, say something back, just being able to go to work every day.

“I don’t know, just have fun, to be honest.”

At long last, Maxwell has found her freedom. And as it turns out, her championship, too.