Oklahoma's Kendall Wells breaks NCAA freshman home run record

Wells' 31st homer of the season helps No. 2 Sooners clinch series win at No. 4 Texas

Apr. 12, 2026 at 3:04am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a college softball game, with overlapping planes of bright colors representing the dynamic action and energy of the sport.Kendall Wells' historic home run fuels Oklahoma's series-clinching win over rival Texas.Austin Today

Freshman catcher Kendall Wells hit her 31st home run of the season, breaking the NCAA single-season freshman record, to lead No. 2 Oklahoma to a 4-3 win over No. 4 Texas on Saturday night. Wells' go-ahead three-run blast in the fifth inning was the difference as the Sooners clinched the weekend series in Austin.

Why it matters

The win over their top-5 rival continues Oklahoma's dominant season and solidifies their status as one of the top contenders for the national championship. Wells' record-breaking performance also cements her as one of the most promising young stars in college softball.

The details

Trailing 3-2 in the fifth inning, Wells stepped to the plate with two runners on and no outs. Facing a two-strike count, she crushed a three-run home run to give Oklahoma the lead. The blast was Wells' 31st of the season, breaking the previous NCAA freshman record.

  • The game was played on Saturday, April 12, 2026 in Austin, Texas.

The players

Kendall Wells

A freshman catcher for the Oklahoma Sooners softball team who broke the NCAA single-season freshman home run record with her 31st blast of the year.

Oklahoma Sooners

The No. 2 ranked college softball team that clinched a series win over their top-5 rival Texas with Saturday's 4-3 victory.

Texas Longhorns

The No. 4 ranked college softball team that lost the weekend series to Oklahoma at home in Austin.

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What they’re saying

“Kendall Wells is a special player and her record-breaking performance tonight shows why she's one of the best young talents in the country.”

— Patty Gasso, Oklahoma Head Coach

What’s next

Oklahoma will look to continue their strong season as they prepare to host their next series against a conference opponent. Texas will aim to rebound from the series loss as they get set for their next matchup.

The takeaway

Kendall Wells' historic freshman season continues to reach new heights, as her clutch home run helped Oklahoma clinch a big series win over their top-5 rival Texas. The Sooners remain one of the favorites to win the national championship, while Wells has established herself as one of the most exciting young stars in college softball.