June 5, 2025
There’s nothing sluggish about the sluggers who play NCAA D-I softball, especially during the weeks in late May and early June when programs fight with all their capacities to earn a place at the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City.
So it’s a natural attraction for youth teams that play in the TC OKC event, powered by Triple Crown Sports, which hosted more than 170 teams in the greater metro area from May 31-June 2. In fact, many youth programs had to plot out serious journeys to get to this apex moment on the sports calendar.
The 12u Orlando Flex tackled a 2,570-mile round trip to take part in the 2025 TC OKC; they’ve been playing for two years and are led by head coach Kelly Shockley. Assistant coach Trey Alston said the team has been taking multiple mental notes about how the best players prepare for their work.
“This experience has been a great, and we've come so far as an organization in such a short period of time. And it's an extension of our culture, an extension of our parents, that have bought into our culture,” Alston said. “(This trip) was the brainchild of Coach Shockley. You know, he calls it manifest destiny. This is something going back to the last (WCWS) when we were back home in Orlando watching it on TV, and it was a dream of his. And we were able to bring it into fruition, so we're really excited to be here.”
From a competitive standpoint, there were lessons to be learned for the Flex, who got one tie and three losses on the ledger, dropping two games by just three runs. But like any trip to TC OKC, there was a lot more happening than simply getting in uniform.
“A few of our teammates have (attended WCWS games). You know, obviously, it was a phenomenal experience,” Alston said. “My daughters, this is only their second season playing softball, period. And for us to really be in an environment where we've all bought into the sport and we're watching these young ladies play at the highest level, all of the games have been competitive.
“When you see the coaches, the way that they coach their teams, the way they influence their players, and the way that players keep that same intensity and energy, they're models to and a testament to their hard work. What these young ladies are witnessing person and on TV, it's awesome thing to watch.”
The 18u True North Trailblazers covered some serious territory as well on the round-trip from Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada for their first crack at TC OKC.
“Anytime that we cross the border to come down to the U.S., the competition is always strong as we come further and further south,” said head coach Bradley Thomas. “We started 0-2 but have been playing some really competitive games. So, we're looking forward to seeing what we can do.”
The Trailblazers were impressed with the facilities at Oklahoma Christian’s home field, and of course, the chance to take a seat and watch the best NCAA teams tangle.
“It's an awesome opportunity. Up in Canada, we don't have fields of the quality that's like this,” added Thomas. “To be able to play on an enclosed all-turf collegiate field, it's really an awesome opportunity for us.
“We were over at the (WCWS) games and Texas and Oklahoma, then the Texas Tech/UCLA games. Which is just a really awesome opportunity for all our girls to see the highest quality of play of collegiate softball. From start to finish, both of the games were electric.”
