Kendall Wells, a freshman catcher for Oklahoma, is nearing the college softball single-season home run record with 36 homers in 54 games. Patty Gasso offers guidance as Wells aims to surpass the 31-year-old record of 37 home runs set by Laura Espinoza.
Key points
Kendall Wells is a freshman catcher for Oklahoma.
She has 36 home runs in 54 games this season.
The current record is 37 home runs set by Laura Espinoza in 1995.
Oklahoma earned the No. 1 seed in the SEC Tournament.
The Sooners could advance to the Women's College World Series.
Kendall WellsLaura EspinozaOklahoma SoonersSEC
Oklahoma's Patty Gasso offers advice as Kendall Wells chases softball HR record
Kendall Wells is giving a new meaning to Boomer Sooner.
Oklahoma's 19-year-old freshman catcher is closing in on college softball history as she chases down a 31-year-old single-season home run record set in 1995 by Arizona's Laura Espinoza (37) in 72 games. Wells has 36 home runs in 54 games, with 32 of those matchups ending early in run-rule victories.
There's still lots of softball to be played and opportunities to break the record. Oklahoma kicks off the SEC Tournament on Thursday with a quarterfinal matchup against either No. 8 LSU or No. 9 Georgia after the Sooners earned the No. 1 seed by claiming the 2026 SEC regular-season championship. The NCAA Tournament comes after and the Sooners could play their way into the Women's College World Series.
But as the nation eagerly watches the home run record chase that's emerged between Wells and UCLA sluggers Megan Grant and Jordan Woolery, Oklahoma head coach Patty Gasso offered Wells a simple word of advice.
"Kendall (Wells) obviously is in this big race that I am not even considering a race," Gasso said ahead of the SEC Tournament. "I just keep telling her... that records are going to be broken, whether it's by you or someone else. So just be you and not try."
Oklahoma's Kendall Wells (1) celebrates a home run during the college softball game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Georgia Bulldogs at Love's Field in Norman, Okla., Saturday, April, 25, 2026.
Oklahoma's Kendall Wells (1) celebrates a home run during the college softball game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Georgia Bulldogs at Love's Field in Norman, Okla., Saturday, April, 25, 2026.
Q&A
What is Kendall Wells' current home run count in college softball?
Kendall Wells has hit 36 home runs in 54 games this season.
Who holds the college softball single-season home run record?
The record is held by Laura Espinoza, who hit 37 home runs in 1995.
When does Oklahoma's SEC Tournament start?
Oklahoma's SEC Tournament kicks off on Thursday with a quarterfinal matchup.
What opportunities does Kendall Wells have to break the home run record?
Wells has opportunities to break the record during the SEC Tournament and the NCAA Tournament leading to the Women's College World Series.
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Oklahoma's Kendall Wells (1) celebrates her home run in the second inning during the college softball game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Georgia Bulldogs at Love's Field in Norman, Okla., Friday, April, 24, 2026. Wells set the new OU softball single-season home run record.
Oklahoma's Kendall Wells (1) watches her home run in the second inning during the college softball game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Georgia Bulldogs at Love's Field in Norman, Okla., Friday, April, 24, 2026. Wells set the new OU softball single-season home run record.
Oklahoma's Kendall Wells (1) celebrates her home run in the second inning during the college softball game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Georgia Bulldogs at Love's Field in Norman, Okla., Friday, April, 24, 2026. Wells set the new OU softball single-season home run record.
Oklahoma Sooners catcher Kendall Wells (1) celebrates after hitting a two-run home run in the third inning of a Bedlam softball game between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Oklahoma Sooners at Devon Park in Oklahoma CIty, Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
Oklahoma Sooners catcher Kendall Wells (1) celebrates after hitting a two-run home run in the third inning of a Bedlam softball game between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Oklahoma Sooners at Devon Park in Oklahoma CIty, Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
Oklahoma head coach Patty Gasso high fives Oklahoma's Kendall Wells (1) after she hit her 30th home run of the year during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love's Field in Norman, Okla. Saturday April 4, 2026. Wells tied the freshman home run season record.
Oklahoma Sooners catcher Kendall Wells (1) hits a two-run home run in the first inning of a college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love's Field in Norman, Okla., Thursday, April 2, 2026.
Oklahoma Sooners catcher Kendall Wells (1) celebrates as she runs home after hitting a two-run home run in the first inning of a college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love's Field in Norman, Okla., Thursday, April 2, 2026.
Oklahoma catcher Kendall Wells (1) hits a home run during the home opener softball game between Oklahoma and Alabama State at Love's Field in Norman Okla., on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026.
Oklahoma catcher Kendall Wells (1) hits a home run during the home opener softball game between Oklahoma and Alabama State at Love's Field in Norman Okla., on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026.
1 / 12
Oklahoma freshman Kendall Wells is a home run hitting phenomenon
Oklahoma's Kendall Wells (1) celebrates a home run during the college softball game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Georgia Bulldogs at Love's Field in Norman, Okla., Saturday, April, 25, 2026.
1 / 12
Oklahoma freshman Kendall Wells is a home run hitting phenomenon
Oklahoma's Kendall Wells (1) celebrates a home run during the college softball game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Georgia Bulldogs at Love's Field in Norman, Okla., Saturday, April, 25, 2026.
2 / 12
Oklahoma freshman Kendall Wells is a home run hitting phenomenon
Oklahoma's Kendall Wells (1) celebrates a home run during the college softball game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Georgia Bulldogs at Love's Field in Norman, Okla., Saturday, April, 25, 2026.
3 / 12
Oklahoma freshman Kendall Wells is a home run hitting phenomenon
Oklahoma's Kendall Wells (1) celebrates her home run in the second inning during the college softball game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Georgia Bulldogs at Love's Field in Norman, Okla., Friday, April, 24, 2026. Wells set the new OU softball single-season home run record.
4 / 12
Oklahoma freshman Kendall Wells is a home run hitting phenomenon
Oklahoma's Kendall Wells (1) watches her home run in the second inning during the college softball game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Georgia Bulldogs at Love's Field in Norman, Okla., Friday, April, 24, 2026. Wells set the new OU softball single-season home run record.
5 / 12
Oklahoma freshman Kendall Wells is a home run hitting phenomenon
Oklahoma's Kendall Wells (1) celebrates her home run in the second inning during the college softball game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Georgia Bulldogs at Love's Field in Norman, Okla., Friday, April, 24, 2026. Wells set the new OU softball single-season home run record.
6 / 12
Oklahoma freshman Kendall Wells is a home run hitting phenomenon
Oklahoma Sooners catcher Kendall Wells (1) celebrates after hitting a two-run home run in the third inning of a Bedlam softball game between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Oklahoma Sooners at Devon Park in Oklahoma CIty, Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
7 / 12
Oklahoma freshman Kendall Wells is a home run hitting phenomenon
Oklahoma Sooners catcher Kendall Wells (1) celebrates after hitting a two-run home run in the third inning of a Bedlam softball game between the Oklahoma State Cowgirls and the Oklahoma Sooners at Devon Park in Oklahoma CIty, Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
8 / 12
Oklahoma freshman Kendall Wells is a home run hitting phenomenon
Oklahoma head coach Patty Gasso high fives Oklahoma's Kendall Wells (1) after she hit her 30th home run of the year during the college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love's Field in Norman, Okla. Saturday April 4, 2026. Wells tied the freshman home run season record.
9 / 12
Oklahoma freshman Kendall Wells is a home run hitting phenomenon
Oklahoma Sooners catcher Kendall Wells (1) hits a two-run home run in the first inning of a college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love's Field in Norman, Okla., Thursday, April 2, 2026.
10 / 12
Oklahoma freshman Kendall Wells is a home run hitting phenomenon
Oklahoma Sooners catcher Kendall Wells (1) celebrates as she runs home after hitting a two-run home run in the first inning of a college softball game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kentucky Wildcats at Love's Field in Norman, Okla., Thursday, April 2, 2026.
11 / 12
Oklahoma freshman Kendall Wells is a home run hitting phenomenon
Oklahoma catcher Kendall Wells (1) hits a home run during the home opener softball game between Oklahoma and Alabama State at Love's Field in Norman Okla., on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026.
12 / 12
Oklahoma freshman Kendall Wells is a home run hitting phenomenon
Oklahoma catcher Kendall Wells (1) hits a home run during the home opener softball game between Oklahoma and Alabama State at Love's Field in Norman Okla., on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026.
Wells has rewritten the record books all season. She set the SEC single-season record with her 27th home run of the year on March 31 to pass Bri Ellis' previous mark at Arkansas. Her 31st homer broke the NCAA freshman single-season record previously shared by fellow Sooners Jocelyn Alo and Lauren Chamberlain, in addition to Hawaii's Kelly Majam. Wells' 35th home run claimed Oklahoma's single-season home run record previously held by Alo.
Wells' home run quest has resulted in some teams pitching around the freshman slugger. Wells has been walked nine times in Oklahoma's past four games and hasn't hit a home run, her longest drought of the season. But Gasso said Wells has remained patient and noted her frustrations haven't spilled into her defense.
"I can't say enough about her offense. Everyone loves it, but if you watch the quickness that she has picking up bunts, I mean, she is jumping out. She is making some phenomenal defensive plays," Gasso said. "I care as much about that as I do about the way she's hitting the ball. So this is going to be a good test for her going into (the postseason), she's going to get a lot of fanfare when she shows up."
Wells isn't the only player chasing Espinoza's record. UCLA's Megan Grant and Jordan Woolery are also in the running with 35 and 33 home runs, respectively, as the Bruins approach the Big Ten tournament. Grant's 34 homers broke Stacey Nuveman’s UCLA single-season home run record (31) set in 1999, while Woolery's 106 RBIs leads the nation and also marks a program record.
"Just watching greatness in front of me is such an honor and I feel like I have the best seat," said Woolery, who bats behind Grant in the lineup. "I get to watch her hit every day. Even being on deck too, I'm like five feet away from her and I feel like it's so cool to see what she's doing and it's so impressive and I think just how hardworking she is. I strive to be like her too in that sense. It's awesome to see."
Wells, Grant and Woolery all have a chance to become the first player in college softball history to hit 40 homers in a single season as offense as a whole has surged this year. Oklahoma and UCLA both lead the nation with 173 total home runs this season. (The previous single-season home run record was 161).
USA TODAY Sports is tracking the single-season home run record chase as the postseason begins:
Single-season home runs leaders in college softball
Players in bold are actively competing this season.
Here's a look at the single-season home runs leaders in the history of college softball:
