- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,144,180
- Reaction score
- 59
The SEC has a new home run queen. On Tuesday night, Kendall Wells hit her 27th home run of the season, setting a new single-season record in just her true freshman season. She's in rarified air, even for Oklahoma Sooners standards.
Wells' three-run home run put her three away from Lauren Chamberlain's highest home run total in a season when she hit 30 in 2012. Wells is now just seven home runs away from tying Jocelyn Alo's single-season home run record.
Back in February, head coach Patty Gasso gave us a fair warning about what Wells was capable of. “Kendall Wells is a name that you’re going to remember,” Gasso said during the Sooners’ preseason media day, “and you’re going to remember from the first game."
Gasso didn't hesitate to compare Wells to two of the greatest home run hitters in softball history in Alo and Chamberlain. Alo holds the record for most home runs in a career. She passed Chamberlain for the record during the 2022 season. Chamberlain is now fourth all-time in career home runs.
“Obviously, I’ve seen Jocelyn Alo, I’ve seen Lauren Chamberlain — this is something new,” Gasso said. “This is different. It is some of the most elite power I’ve ever seen from a young player.”
Gasso didn't shy away from creating expectations for her five-star true freshman catcher, and Wells has met and exceeded every expectation in year one with the Sooners.
In addition to her nation-leading 27 home runs, Wells leads the Sooners in runs batted in with 60, tied for second in the NCAA. Wells is four home runs ahead of UCLA senior Megan Grant for the national lead in home runs.
In nine SEC games, Wells has five home runs, not slowing down one bit, even against tougher competition. The Sooners have 17 regular season games remaining. With postseason play included, Oklahoma likely has at least 27 games remaining, but could play more depending on how they fare in the SEC tournament and NCAA tournament.
Wells has already made history in her first season with the Sooners and has a chance at even more. The NCAA record for home runs by a freshman is 30, with three players, including Alo and Chamberlain, hitting that mark. She's within striking distance of Alo's Oklahoma record of 34 and the NCAA record of 38 in a single season.
The Oklahoma Sooners have big team goals, looking to take back their national championship crown. That's the bigger picture. But Wells is a big reason why the Sooners are in position to contend for the national title. And even after setting the SEC record for home runs on Tuesday night, what we're witnessing is just scratching the surface.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Kendall Wells is making history one swing at a time
Continue reading...
Wells' three-run home run put her three away from Lauren Chamberlain's highest home run total in a season when she hit 30 in 2012. Wells is now just seven home runs away from tying Jocelyn Alo's single-season home run record.
Back in February, head coach Patty Gasso gave us a fair warning about what Wells was capable of. “Kendall Wells is a name that you’re going to remember,” Gasso said during the Sooners’ preseason media day, “and you’re going to remember from the first game."
Gasso didn't hesitate to compare Wells to two of the greatest home run hitters in softball history in Alo and Chamberlain. Alo holds the record for most home runs in a career. She passed Chamberlain for the record during the 2022 season. Chamberlain is now fourth all-time in career home runs.
“Obviously, I’ve seen Jocelyn Alo, I’ve seen Lauren Chamberlain — this is something new,” Gasso said. “This is different. It is some of the most elite power I’ve ever seen from a young player.”
Gasso didn't shy away from creating expectations for her five-star true freshman catcher, and Wells has met and exceeded every expectation in year one with the Sooners.
In addition to her nation-leading 27 home runs, Wells leads the Sooners in runs batted in with 60, tied for second in the NCAA. Wells is four home runs ahead of UCLA senior Megan Grant for the national lead in home runs.
In nine SEC games, Wells has five home runs, not slowing down one bit, even against tougher competition. The Sooners have 17 regular season games remaining. With postseason play included, Oklahoma likely has at least 27 games remaining, but could play more depending on how they fare in the SEC tournament and NCAA tournament.
Wells has already made history in her first season with the Sooners and has a chance at even more. The NCAA record for home runs by a freshman is 30, with three players, including Alo and Chamberlain, hitting that mark. She's within striking distance of Alo's Oklahoma record of 34 and the NCAA record of 38 in a single season.
The Oklahoma Sooners have big team goals, looking to take back their national championship crown. That's the bigger picture. But Wells is a big reason why the Sooners are in position to contend for the national title. And even after setting the SEC record for home runs on Tuesday night, what we're witnessing is just scratching the surface.
Historic. @KendallWells__ sets the SEC single-season HR record with her 27thpic.twitter.com/fQm7jqrGy2
— Oklahoma Softball (@OU_Softball) April 1, 2026
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Kendall Wells is making history one swing at a time
Continue reading...
