Oklahoma Duo Shines Bright: Two Softball Stars Earn WCWS All-Tournament Honors…Read More…
In a thrilling conclusion to one of the most competitive Women’s College World Series (WCWS) in recent memory, two standout athletes from the University of Oklahoma have etched their names into the record books once again. Sophomore pitcher Riley Jensen and senior outfielder Mariah “MJ” James were named to the WCWS All-Tournament Team, further solidifying Oklahoma’s dynasty in college softball and demonstrating why the Sooners continue to set the gold standard for excellence in the sport.
The announcement came just hours after the Sooners clinched their fifth national title in six years with a hard-fought 5-3 victory over UCLA. While the team’s success was clearly a collective effort, Jensen and James emerged as the undeniable catalysts throughout the tournament—one commanding the circle with steely resolve, the other igniting the offense with timely heroics and unmatched intensity.
Jensen’s Dominance in the Circle
For Riley Jensen, the honor capped off a tournament in which she delivered nothing short of brilliance every time she stepped onto the mound. In four WCWS appearances, Jensen posted a staggering 0.71 ERA with 34 strikeouts over 29.2 innings. Her poise under pressure and pitch variety kept some of the nation’s best hitters off balance, including a complete game shutout against Florida State in the semifinal that sealed Oklahoma’s spot in the championship series.
“I just wanted to give my team a chance every time I took the ball,” said Jensen, who now boasts a 23-3 record on the season. “We’ve worked all year for this moment, and to be part of a team that fights for every pitch—it’s an amazing feeling.”
Jensen’s performance was especially impressive considering the weight of expectations placed on her shoulders. As a sophomore following in the footsteps of legendary Sooner pitchers like Jordy Bahl and Giselle Juarez, Jensen entered the tournament with pressure that would crack most 20-year-olds. But instead of shrinking from the spotlight, she embraced it.
“She’s got ice in her veins,” head coach Patty Gasso said after the championship game. “Riley matured so much this season. Her growth, mentally and physically, has been extraordinary. The way she commands the game—it’s elite.”
MJ James: The Heartbeat of the Offense
While Jensen controlled the circle, Mariah James lit up the scoreboard and the dugout with equal ferocity. The senior outfielder batted .444 in the WCWS with three home runs, seven RBIs, and nine runs scored. Her two-run blast in the championship game’s fifth inning was the turning point that swung the momentum firmly in Oklahoma’s favor.
“This was the ending I dreamed about,” said James, wiping away tears of joy during the postgame celebration. “To go out on top with this group, to contribute when it mattered most—it’s everything I hoped for.”
Nicknamed “MJ” by her teammates for her clutch performances and Jordan-like work ethic, James was the emotional anchor of the team. Whether diving for a catch in center field, legging out an infield single, or rallying her teammates between innings, her energy proved infectious.
“She plays with so much heart,” said teammate and roommate Tasha Reynolds. “She’s the kind of player who refuses to be outworked, and that drives all of us to be better. This honor is so well-deserved.”
James, who has already declared for the Athletes Unlimited pro softball league draft, finishes her college career with a legacy built on leadership, resilience, and moments that defined championships.
A Testament to Oklahoma’s Culture
Jensen and James becoming All-Tournament honorees is more than an individual accolade—it’s a reflection of Oklahoma’s powerhouse culture that has now seen at least one Sooner make the All-Tournament Team every year since 2016. Under Coach Gasso’s leadership, the program has emphasized discipline, accountability, and relentless pursuit of greatness.
“It’s not just about talent,” Gasso said. “It’s about who you are when no one’s watching, how you respond to adversity, and how you lift up your teammates. Riley and MJ exemplify that.”
Indeed, this year’s WCWS run was not without
building on the momentum and deepening the narrative
The Gasso Effect: A Legacy of Leadership
While the spotlight rightly shines on Jensen and James, much of the credit for their development—and the program’s continued dominance—belongs to head coach Patty Gasso. In her 30th season at the helm of the Sooners, Gasso has cultivated not just winning teams, but a culture of grit, unity, and purpose that has produced some of the sport’s biggest stars.
“Coach Gasso never lets us settle,” said James. “She challenges us every single day—to be better players, better students, better people. She demands the best, but she gives everything in return. That’s why people commit to this program. It’s bigger than softball.”
Gasso, who now has seven national championships to her name, has long emphasized the “intangibles”—mental toughness, spiritual grounding, and community-minded leadership—as key to sustained success. And for every trophy and title, it’s the development of players like James and Jensen that seems to bring her the most pride.
“I see them arrive as kids, and they leave as women who are ready to take on the world,” Gasso said. “That’s the real win.”
Building the Next Generation
Even as the 2025 season closes, the groundwork is already being laid for the future. Oklahoma’s incoming recruiting class has been touted as one of the best in the nation, featuring several top-10 prospects including fireballing pitcher Taylor Riggins from California and slugging infielder Jayla Morgan out of Texas.
But perhaps the most important ingredient in Oklahoma’s future success is the mentorship pipeline. With Jensen stepping into a leadership role, she is expected to guide the younger players just as James and others mentored her.
“It’s a cycle,” said assistant coach JT Gasso, Patty’s son and hitting coach for the Sooners. “MJ helped raise the level of expectation and culture, and now Riley will carry that forward. That’s how dynasties are sustained—not just through talent, but through leadership that is passed down year after year.”
A Celebration Back in Norman
Back on campus, preparations are underway for what promises to be a massive championship parade and celebration. The city of Norman has long embraced its softball champions with a fervor that rivals football game day, and this year is no exception. Banners with “Back-to-Back Champs” and “MJ + Riley = Legends” already hang from light poles near Campus Corner.
Students and alumni have planned a massive welcome rally, complete with fireworks, tribute videos, and surprise guests—including former Sooner greats who now play professionally. For fans young and old, it’s a chance to connect with the team and honor a season that brought them unforgettable memories.
“This team inspired a whole new generation of girls,” said Tonya Ramirez, a Norman resident and mother of two young softball players. “My daughters want to be MJ James. They want to throw like Riley. That’s the impact this program has—it’s bigger than just wins.”
From Norman to the National Stage
For James, the next chapter begins immediately. She is expected to be a top-five pick in the Athletes Unlimited softball draft later this summer and has already received endorsement interest from several sportswear and performance brands. But her message remains grounded.
“I just want to keep inspiring people,” she said. “I want to show young girls that they can dream big, work hard, and do incredible things—not just in sports, but in life.”
Jensen, meanwhile, has been invited to participate in the U.S. National Team training camp this fall, a step that could lead to her representing Team USA in future international tournaments—including the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
“To even be considered is surreal,” Jensen said. “But right now, my focus is on getting better and coming back stronger next season. We’re not done yet.”
Final Thoughts: A Season for the Ages
In a sport that continues to rise in national popularity, the 2025 Oklahoma Sooners proved why they are the standard bearers. Their blend of dominant talent, fearless leadership, and unwavering unity set them apart from the rest. And in the heart of it all were two stars—Riley Jensen and Mariah James—whose performances didn’t just earn them a spot on the WCWS All-Tournament Team, but a place in Oklahoma sports history.
As fans left OGE Energy Field in Oklahoma City under the golden glow of fireworks, chants of “Boomer Sooner” echoed into the night. And in the midst of it all, two champions stood shoulder to shoulder—one leaving a legacy, the other just beginning hers—both forever etched into the soul of Sooner softball.
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