Kelly Maxwell Is In the Transfer Portal and Rumored to be Heading to OU
STILLWATER – Word started to leak out on Thursday night that two-time Oklahoma State All-American left-hander pitcher Kelly Maxwell had gone into the NCAA transfer portal and a source confirmed on Friday morning that has indeed happened. That same source said the belief is that Maxwell will wind up in Norman playing for Bedlam rival Oklahoma for next season.
That information came from someone connected to the program, but the alternative would be that Maxwell is from Texas and might settle back home in a program such as Texas or Texas A&M. However, the only potential landing spot we’ve heard is Norman.
(This was Maxwell’s Message on her Instagram page late Friday morning)
From the moment I stepped on campus, you welcomed me with open arms. The support you have given me throughout the past 5 years has been a dream come true. As you may have heard, I have made the decision to enter the transfer portal. This was not an easy decision but one that I felt was best, for my own personal happiness. Thank you for being there and supporting me as I made some of the best memories of my life. I will truly miss you. Go pokes.
#28 🧡
With Jordy Bahl pitching for Oklahoma the thought that Maxwell would be on the same staff was ridiculous. Though not outward, the two were considered rivals, both because of the uniforms, the two programs, and the fact they would fight it out as the top pitchers in the Big 12. Now with Bahl having transferred to Nebraska, it appears that Maxwell sees herself taking over for the Sooners program where Bahl left off.
This move could make the angst caused by Oklahoma State defensive end Trace Ford going in the portal in December and transferring to Oklahoma seem mild.
Kelly Maxwell, a soft spoken person with an electric left arm, has been made at times the face of the Oklahoma State softball program. She has been the clutch pitcher for the Cowgirls in the circle during their runs to the NCAA Women’s College World Series and was the pitcher of the year in the Big 12 in the 2022 season when Oklahoma State upset Oklahoma and won the Big 12 Tournament and the Big 12 Championship. This season due to suspected lack of rest and blister problems, while still very good, Maxwell was not as dominant as she was in the 2022 season.
Maxwell did collect All-America honors for the second time after posting a 16-7 record with a 1.91 earned run average and striking out 229 in 142.2 innings of work. She was a first team All-Big 12 honoree and a Top 25 finalist for USA Softball Player of the Year for the second year in a row. She was the Big 12 leader in strikeouts (229, 14th nationally), stikeouts per seven innings (11.2, second in the country) and opposing batting average (.157). After a late regular season slump Maxwell came back strong in the NCAA postseason, including going 6.1 perfect innings in a dazzling two-hit performance against Oregon in game two of the NCAA Stillwater Super Regional final on May 26 to send OSU to its fourth consecutive Women's College World Series.
The 2022 season was brilliant for Maxwell in the circle as she was a unanimous first team All-American selection in her first season as the ace of the Oklahoma State pitching staff in which she posted a 21-5 record with 313 strikeouts, 20 complete-game performances and 12 shutouts over 189.2 innings of work, She was named 2022 Co-Big 12 Pitcher of the Year – alongside Oklahoma’s Jordy Bahl – and was an automatic first team All-Big 12 honoree. Maxwell was also mamed a top 10 finalist for USA Softball’s Collegiate Player of the Year award.
She broke out in the 2021 season earning first team NFCA All-Region and first team All-Big 12 honors. Her 15-5 record (.750) is tied-25th for the highest win percentage for a Cowgirl pitcher in a single season.
The product of Clear Springs High School in League City, Texas near Houston, Maxwell was a Gatorade All-State performer and an Under Armour All-American in high school. She has her degree in biochemistry and molecular biology, and is pursuing a master’s degree in health administration.